Review and Comment on the Tollway Tentative 2024 Budget
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<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="trhzgcot" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":1468150,"groupId":"20184","name":"JapanGroup-blog_0624.png","alt":"Japanese Engineers And Executives Meet With Illinois Tollway To Exchange Insights On Roadway Maintenance Innovations And Best Practices","title":"JapanGroup-blog_0624.png","type":"document","uuid":"2904059f-45da-b103-3f65-623b00d7113c","fileEntryId":"1468150","resourcePrimKey":"1468171"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="hjipqimj" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":1468150,"groupId":"20184","name":"JapanGroup-blog_0624.png","alt":"Japanese Engineers And Executives Meet With Illinois Tollway To Exchange Insights On Roadway Maintenance Innovations And Best Practices","title":"JapanGroup-blog_0624.png","type":"document","uuid":"2904059f-45da-b103-3f65-623b00d7113c","fileEntryId":"1468150","resourcePrimKey":"1468171"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="guwdarnk" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Japanese Engineers And Executives Meet With Illinois Tollway To Exchange Insights On Roadway Maintenance Innovations And Best Practices]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="mbefiqbo" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="eqsagzev" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>A delegation of about 20 engineers and executive from the Express Highway Research Foundation of Japan recently visited the Illinois Tollway in Downers Grove to learn about Tollway roadway maintenance and incident management operations and to share details about how they are tackling challenges in Japan. </p><p>“Exchanging knowledge through meetings like this is a great way for both our agencies to learn from one another so we can continue to grow, innovate and improve,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. “This meeting marked an important step in our ongoing commitment to collaboration and sharing knowledge with our peers in the global transportation community.” </p><p>Transportation agencies around the world face similar challenges. From Tokyo to Chicago, top priorities include keeping roadways safe and well-maintained in the face of extreme weather conditions and making investments in rebuilding aging infrastructure to meet current and future demands of the motoring public. </p><p>Tollway Roadway Maintenance staff shared an overview of day-to-day maintenance operations – pavement, sign and guardrail repairs; right-of-way mowing; pavement sweeping; Highway Emergency Lane Patrol (HELP) trucks and winter weather operations – as part of its focus on safety for Tollway customers, workers and first responders alike. </p><p>Tollway staff also showcased innovative safety measures such as the 83-foot-long portable steel safety barrier, which is used to shield roadway and emergency workers from fast-moving traffic during a variety of tasks, including pavement repairs, rolling lane closures, roadway lighting work and assisting contractors with maintenance of traffic in work zones. </p><p>The group also visited the Tollway’s Traffic Operations Center to see how the agency detects, confirms and responds to incidents and then went to the Tollway maintenance facility in Downers Grove to get a close-up look at the trucks and equipment used to maintain the roadways. </p><p>The day wasn’t just about Tollway practices. The delegation from Japan also shared their experiences and challenges, particularly their investments in transportation infrastructure and winter operations.</p><p>The Tokyo-based Express Highway Research Foundation is an independent research institution that conducts research pertaining to expressways including economic impacts, engineering, and traffic control. Its governing principle is "to contribute to sustainable development of society by enhancing the values and benefits of the expressways.”</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="upwhlqxj" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2025-06-07]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Japanese Engineers And Executives Meet With Illinois Tollway To Exchange Insights On Roadway Maintenance Innovations And Best Practices
Display date: 2025-06-07
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="fzRzUSlv" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Opens Doors to Future Engineers and Builders","name":"20241007 Highschool_blog2.jpg","width":"5000","description":"Illinois Tollway Opens Doors to Future Engineers and Builders","title":"20241007 Highschool_blog2","type":"document","uuid":"5e0fc832-1b5b-f937-f683-9313b4cff836","fileEntryId":"1540689","resourcePrimKey":"1541010","url":"/documents/d/guest/20241007-highschool_blog2","height":"1667"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="xu7UFICK" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Opens Doors to Future Engineers and Builders","name":"20241007 Highschool_blog2.jpg","width":"5000","description":"Illinois Tollway Opens Doors to Future Engineers and Builders","title":"20241007 Highschool_blog2","type":"document","uuid":"5e0fc832-1b5b-f937-f683-9313b4cff836","fileEntryId":"1540689","resourcePrimKey":"1541010","url":"/documents/d/guest/20241007-highschool_blog2","height":"1667"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="0JYDv5SC" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Opens Doors to Future Engineers and Builders]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="loFgRWK0" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="S0mhTwUA" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Area high school students pursuing career paths in engineering, construction and heavy machinery took the unique opportunity to tour Illinois Tollway maintenance facilities and ongoing construction projects. </p>
<p>More than 100 sophomores, juniors and seniors from Argo Community High School in Summit, Homewood-Flossmoor High School, Maine East High School in Park Ridge and William Howard Taft High School in Chicago participated in the visits on October 1 and 3.</p>
<p>“The Illinois Tollway gave students an invaluable, firsthand experience of how our state’s critical transportation infrastructure is built and maintained,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. “These visits were designed to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world application, offering students a unique glimpse into future career opportunities in engineering, construction and infrastructure development.”</p>
<p>These field trips were designed to inspire and engage students by showcasing real-world applications of their studies. With hands-on experiences and direct interactions with industry professionals, the visits highlighted the various career paths available within the transportation infrastructure sector.</p>
<p>Students arrived at the Tollway’s Alsip and Bensenville maintenance facilities and were treated to comprehensive tours of the operations that keep Illinois roadways safe and functioning smoothly. </p>
<p>Students learned how roadway lighting technicians are trained to make repairs and got a closeup look at the array of vehicles and equipment used for snow removal, road repairs and other essential maintenance tasks, including a remote-controlled lawn mower. </p>
<p>The students left with a deeper understanding of the complex work that goes into maintaining and improving Illinois’ toll roads, including visits to two major construction projects currently underway, the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Project and the I-490 Tollway Project. Students had the opportunity to gain insights from the experts charged with seeing these large-scale infrastructure projects through to completion. </p>
<p>As part of its efforts to build the pipeline of future transportation leaders, the Illinois Tollway continues to support educational initiatives. These visits are a powerful way to spark interest in the next generation of engineers, construction managers and technicians. The agency’s commitment to fostering a skilled workforce ensures that the future of Illinois’ infrastructure will be in capable hands.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="dewEAo1n" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2024-10-08]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Opens Doors to Future Engineers and Builders
Display date: 2024-10-08
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="fzRzUSlv" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Opens Doors to Future Engineers and Builders","name":"20241007 Highschool_blog2.jpg","width":"5000","description":"Illinois Tollway Opens Doors to Future Engineers and Builders","title":"20241007 Highschool_blog2","type":"document","uuid":"5e0fc832-1b5b-f937-f683-9313b4cff836","fileEntryId":"1540689","resourcePrimKey":"1541010","url":"/documents/d/guest/20241007-highschool_blog2","height":"1667"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="xu7UFICK" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Opens Doors to Future Engineers and Builders","name":"20241007 Highschool_blog2.jpg","width":"5000","description":"Illinois Tollway Opens Doors to Future Engineers and Builders","title":"20241007 Highschool_blog2","type":"document","uuid":"5e0fc832-1b5b-f937-f683-9313b4cff836","fileEntryId":"1540689","resourcePrimKey":"1541010","url":"/documents/d/guest/20241007-highschool_blog2","height":"1667"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="0JYDv5SC" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Opens Doors to Future Engineers and Builders]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="loFgRWK0" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="S0mhTwUA" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Area high school students pursuing career paths in engineering, construction and heavy machinery took the unique opportunity to tour Illinois Tollway maintenance facilities and ongoing construction projects. </p>
<p>More than 100 sophomores, juniors and seniors from Argo Community High School in Summit, Homewood-Flossmoor High School, Maine East High School in Park Ridge and William Howard Taft High School in Chicago participated in the visits on October 1 and 3.</p>
<p>“The Illinois Tollway gave students an invaluable, firsthand experience of how our state’s critical transportation infrastructure is built and maintained,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. “These visits were designed to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world application, offering students a unique glimpse into future career opportunities in engineering, construction and infrastructure development.”</p>
<p>These field trips were designed to inspire and engage students by showcasing real-world applications of their studies. With hands-on experiences and direct interactions with industry professionals, the visits highlighted the various career paths available within the transportation infrastructure sector.</p>
<p>Students arrived at the Tollway’s Alsip and Bensenville maintenance facilities and were treated to comprehensive tours of the operations that keep Illinois roadways safe and functioning smoothly. </p>
<p>Students learned how roadway lighting technicians are trained to make repairs and got a closeup look at the array of vehicles and equipment used for snow removal, road repairs and other essential maintenance tasks, including a remote-controlled lawn mower. </p>
<p>The students left with a deeper understanding of the complex work that goes into maintaining and improving Illinois’ toll roads, including visits to two major construction projects currently underway, the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Project and the I-490 Tollway Project. Students had the opportunity to gain insights from the experts charged with seeing these large-scale infrastructure projects through to completion. </p>
<p>As part of its efforts to build the pipeline of future transportation leaders, the Illinois Tollway continues to support educational initiatives. These visits are a powerful way to spark interest in the next generation of engineers, construction managers and technicians. The agency’s commitment to fostering a skilled workforce ensures that the future of Illinois’ infrastructure will be in capable hands.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="dewEAo1n" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2024-10-08]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Opens Doors to Future Engineers and Builders
Display date: 2024-10-08
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="ybqJZGcx" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Diversity Leadership Share Successes Lessons Learned On Creating Economic Opportunities","name":"ACCA-blog_1024.png","width":"1200","description":"Illinois Tollway Diversity Leadership Share Successes Lessons Learned On Creating Economic Opportunities","title":"ACCA-blog_1024.png","type":"document","uuid":"4c591b91-f4a8-5a3e-0bbd-cb4aacf76637","fileEntryId":"1540658","resourcePrimKey":"1540678","url":"/documents/d/guest/acca-blog_1024-png","height":"400"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="paAQWoiM" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Diversity Leadership Share Successes Lessons Learned On Creating Economic Opportunities","name":"ACCA-blog_1024.png","width":"1200","description":"Illinois Tollway Diversity Leadership Share Successes Lessons Learned On Creating Economic Opportunities","title":"ACCA-blog_1024.png","type":"document","uuid":"4c591b91-f4a8-5a3e-0bbd-cb4aacf76637","fileEntryId":"1540658","resourcePrimKey":"1540678","url":"/documents/d/guest/acca-blog_1024-png","height":"400"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="NCSxA9R7" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Diversity Leadership Share Successes, Lessons Learned On Creating Economic Opportunities]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="FViU4EDc" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="jjBp74uL" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway’s Department of Diversity and Strategic Development demonstrated what true leadership in diversity and inclusion looks like at the prestigious American Contract Compliance Association Annual Training Institute. </p>
<p>Chief of Diversity Marlene Vick and General Manager of Diversity Kristen Bennett provided insights on how Illinois Tollway diversity programs and initiatives are transforming economic access for small, diverse, women- and veteran-owned businesses throughout Northern Illinois. </p>
<p>“Tollway diversity efforts are not just about providing economic opportunities, they are about transforming industry standards and raising the bar for inclusive practices,” said Vick. “By sharing our strategic approaches, methodologies and best practices, our goal was to show other state and local transportation leaders how to successfully launch and sustain successful diversity programs and initiatives. At the same time, we’re collaborating and learning from others.” </p>
<p>Diversity Department leadership being invited to share best practices and guidance to professional in the contract compliance field is a testament to their position as thought leaders in the field of diversity. The Tollway has been at the forefront of creating programs that establish inclusion as the foundation for success. This approach serves as a blueprint for other leaders looking to implement similar programs in their own organizations.</p>
<p>The accredited week-long training program in Seattle attracted more than 800 professionals engaged in contract compliance; disadvantaged, minority and women-owned business enterprises; affirmative action; and equal employment opportunity nationwide. They participated in a series of workshops on topics related to equitable employment and contracting practices in the public and private sectors such as bonding, capacity building, certification, compliance monitoring, economic development, goal setting and mentor-protégé programs. </p>
<p>Marlene and Kristen, both seasoned experts, led participants through the core diversity programs that have had a profound impact on fostering economic growth among traditionally underserved groups. Their insights provided attendees with actionable strategies for navigating the complexities of launching and sustaining successful diversity initiatives.</p>
<p>Tollway diversity initiatives, including the Small Business Initiative, Partnering for Growth and ConstructionWorks, reflect strategic thinking that has increased economic access for hundreds of small, diverse and veteran businesses. By offering exclusive contracting opportunities, mentorship and incentives, they are shaping a pathway to sustainable success for small and diverse firms.</p>
<p>The Tollway’s programs have led to tangible success: nearly $100 million in contracts have been awarded to small businesses since 2021. Additionally, Partnering for Growth has empowered nearly 60 small firms to transition from protégés to prime contractors, demonstrating the lasting influence of their mentorship-based model.</p>
<p>Through their guidance and leadership, Marlene and Kristen are helping to shape national conversations about setting new standards for inclusive business practices in the transportation industry.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="EDlgPBSp" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2024-10-08]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Diversity Leadership Share Successes Lessons Learned On Creating Economic Opportunities
Display date: 2024-10-08
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="3dGafmTb" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Thank you Highway Emergency Lane Patrol","name":"Tennis_blog.jpg","width":"1200","description":"Thank you Highway Emergency Lane Patrol","title":"Tennis_blog.jpg","type":"document","uuid":"c43c9394-3f99-b13f-bdec-c0d077e36e0a","fileEntryId":"1534922","resourcePrimKey":"1534942","url":"/documents/d/guest/tennis_blog-jpg","height":"400"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="Oktp1fGu" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Thank you Highway Emergency Lane Patrol","name":"Tennis_blog.jpg","width":"1200","description":"Thank you Highway Emergency Lane Patrol","title":"Tennis_blog.jpg","type":"document","uuid":"c43c9394-3f99-b13f-bdec-c0d077e36e0a","fileEntryId":"1534922","resourcePrimKey":"1534942","url":"/documents/d/guest/tennis_blog-jpg","height":"400"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="b3I5LUxt" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Thank you, Highway Emergency Lane Patrol]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="HGwhX7I6" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="Bz8rocCE" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>On Tuesday, April 16, 2024, I was travelling with the men’s tennis team from the College of Lake County. We had played a tennis match at Prairie State College and we were returning to Lake County on I-294 going north. The traffic was very heavy and was moving very quickly at the speed limit or over. The van we were driving had a tire blow-out while in this fast-moving, heavy traffic. Our head coach was able to pull the van off onto the shoulder of the road, but the shoulder was very narrow. The guard-rail was so close we couldn’t open the passenger door and the traffic so close to the driver’s door that it was very dangerous to try to open that door with the traffic flying by.<br />
<br />
We called 911 and were directed to the tollway service. We explained as best where we were and our situation. We were in a van with two coaches and seven college students. We had a flat tire and it was dangerous to try to get out of the van. The tollway service said they would send someone to our aid. <br />
<br />
Mr. Dockery in truck 104 arrived and parked behind us. He came up to the passenger window of the and introduced himself. He was very courteous and professional. We did not know the location of the tire jack, but Mr. Dockery worked until he found the jack, somewhat hidden in the back of the van. Mr. Dockery then changed the tire, with the traffic buzzing by and very little shoulder of the road for him to be on. He is a brave man.<br />
<br />
When we offered him money for his services, Mr. Dockery informed us that he couldn’t accept it. I told him I would write or email to point out his excellent service. I can only apologize for my delay in writing to thank him and to let you know what a wonderful person he is. I cannot compliment him enough.<br />
<br />
Please let Mr. Dockery how much we thank him and appreciated his valuable help. Please tell his colleagues how valuable he is.<br />
We were fortunate to have his services. We were in real trouble without him.<br />
<br />
Sincerely.<br />
<br />
Jim Love<br />
Assistant Tennis Coach<br />
College of Lake County<br />
Grayslake, IL</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="SyT3p1r2" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2024-09-30]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Thank you Highway Emergency Lane Patrol
Display date: 2024-09-30
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="3dGafmTb" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Thank you Highway Emergency Lane Patrol","name":"Tennis_blog.jpg","width":"1200","description":"Thank you Highway Emergency Lane Patrol","title":"Tennis_blog.jpg","type":"document","uuid":"c43c9394-3f99-b13f-bdec-c0d077e36e0a","fileEntryId":"1534922","resourcePrimKey":"1534942","url":"/documents/d/guest/tennis_blog-jpg","height":"400"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="Oktp1fGu" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Thank you Highway Emergency Lane Patrol","name":"Tennis_blog.jpg","width":"1200","description":"Thank you Highway Emergency Lane Patrol","title":"Tennis_blog.jpg","type":"document","uuid":"c43c9394-3f99-b13f-bdec-c0d077e36e0a","fileEntryId":"1534922","resourcePrimKey":"1534942","url":"/documents/d/guest/tennis_blog-jpg","height":"400"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="b3I5LUxt" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Thank you, Highway Emergency Lane Patrol]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="HGwhX7I6" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="Bz8rocCE" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>We are so grateful for our frontline workers who make traveling on the Tollway safer for all. The stories we hear from Tollway users, such as Coach Jim Love and the College of Lake County tennis team, show us just how great of an impact our roadside assistance workers have on our communities.</p>
<p>Here’s what Coach Love had to say about his experience during a moment of assistance with his team on the Tollway:</p>
<p>On Tuesday, April 16, 2024, I was travelling with the men’s tennis team from the College of Lake County. We had played a tennis match at Prairie State College and we were returning to Lake County on I-294 going north. The traffic was very heavy and was moving very quickly at the speed limit or over. The van we were driving had a tire blow-out while in this fast-moving, heavy traffic. Our head coach was able to pull the van off onto the shoulder of the road, but the shoulder was very narrow. The guard-rail was so close we couldn’t open the passenger door and the traffic so close to the driver’s door that it was very dangerous to try to open that door with the traffic flying by.<br />
<br />
We called 911 and were directed to the tollway service. We explained as best where we were and our situation. We were in a van with two coaches and seven college students. We had a flat tire and it was dangerous to try to get out of the van. The tollway service said they would send someone to our aid. <br />
<br />
Mr. Dockery in truck 104 arrived and parked behind us. He came up to the passenger window of the and introduced himself. He was very courteous and professional. We did not know the location of the tire jack, but Mr. Dockery worked until he found the jack, somewhat hidden in the back of the van. Mr. Dockery then changed the tire, with the traffic buzzing by and very little shoulder of the road for him to be on. He is a brave man.<br />
<br />
When we offered him money for his services, Mr. Dockery informed us that he couldn’t accept it. I told him I would write or email to point out his excellent service. I can only apologize for my delay in writing to thank him and to let you know what a wonderful person he is. I cannot compliment him enough.<br />
<br />
Please let Mr. Dockery how much we thank him and appreciated his valuable help. Please tell his colleagues how valuable he is.<br />
We were fortunate to have his services. We were in real trouble without him.<br />
<br />
Sincerely.<br />
<br />
Jim Love<br />
Assistant Tennis Coach<br />
College of Lake County<br />
Grayslake, IL</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="SyT3p1r2" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2024-09-25]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Thank you Highway Emergency Lane Patrol
Display date: 2024-09-25
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="m1N0754c" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Crains Chicago Business Names Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse Among 2024 Notable Black Leaders","name":"CRouse-Crains-blog_0924.png","width":"1200","description":"Crains Chicago Business Names Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse Among 2024 Notable Black Leaders","title":"CRouse-Crains-blog_0924.png","type":"document","uuid":"5516cab3-d5ef-f2a2-39ec-a70bb3c4cd68","fileEntryId":"1536370","resourcePrimKey":"1536419","url":"/documents/d/guest/crouse-crains-blog_0924-png","height":"400"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="Dlnd8lxu" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Crains Chicago Business Names Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse Among 2024 Notable Black Leaders","name":"CRouse-Crains-blog_0924.png","width":"1200","description":"Crains Chicago Business Names Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse Among 2024 Notable Black Leaders","title":"CRouse-Crains-blog_0924.png","type":"document","uuid":"5516cab3-d5ef-f2a2-39ec-a70bb3c4cd68","fileEntryId":"1536370","resourcePrimKey":"1536419","url":"/documents/d/guest/crouse-crains-blog_0924-png","height":"400"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="abMGCnV8" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Crain’s Chicago Business Names Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse Among 2024 Notable Black Leaders]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="58YBafKD" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="dthjBrln" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse has been recognized as one of Crain’s Chicago Business 2024 Notable Black Leaders.<br />
<br />
This prestigious honor reflects Cassaundra’s outstanding contributions to the transportation industry and her commitment to empowering communities throughout the Chicago region.<br />
<br />
“I am deeply honored to be recognized as one of Crain’s 2024 Notable Black Leaders,” said Rouse. “This achievement reflects not only my commitment to the Illinois Tollway and the communities we serve, but also the incredible work of my team. Together, we are dedicated to driving innovation, creating opportunities and ensuring that our transportation system supports the growth and success of our region.”<br />
<br />
Cassaundra has made an indelible mark on the Illinois Tollway. Under her leadership, the Tollway successfully completed major infrastructure projects, including the $719 million Tri-State Tollway (I-294)/I-57 Interchange, a critical development that was delivered two years ahead of schedule and within budget in 2022. The project has reduced congestion and boosted economic growth in the Chicago Southland, underscoring Cassaundra’s ability to strategically advance the agency’s mission of providing safe, efficient transportation for millions of drivers.<br />
<br />
Cassaundra’s influence extends beyond her day-to-day responsibilities. She is deeply invested in the future of the transportation industry and is a champion for innovation, sustainability and equity. Her leadership has fostered collaboration with industry partners, while also advancing the Illinois Tollway’s 16-year $15 billion Move Illinois capital program, which is driving the next generation of transportation infrastructure across Northern Illinois. Additionally, Cassaundra signed a national equity in infrastructure pledge on behalf of the Illinois Tollway, which underscores the agency's ongoing commitment to support underserved communities.<br />
<br />
Cassaundra serves on the board of the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA) and as a member of the IBTTA Women in Tolling Council. She is passionate about advancing women in transportation and sits on the advisory board of the WTS Greater Chicago Chapter, an organization dedicated to fostering the professional development of women in the transportation sector.<br />
<br />
In addition to her professional achievements, Cassaundra is known for her unwavering dedication to giving back to the community. A native of Chicago’s South Side, she serves as the lead teen advisor for the South Suburban Chicago Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, a national organization focused on leadership development among African American youth. <br />
<br />
Cassaundra’s recognition as a Crain’s 2024 Notable Black Leader is a testament to her commitment to driving progress in transportation, her dedication to community engagement and her vision for a safe, efficient and equitable transportation system.</p>
<p>The Illinois Tollway is proud to celebrate Cassaundra Rouse’s achievements as a trailblazing leader.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="Fs7RjGKt" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2024-09-23]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
CrainsChicagoBusiness Names Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse Among 2024 Notable Black Leaders
Display date: 2024-09-23
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="Fg6Z1oAV" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"IBTTA Announces 2024 Toll Excellence And Dei Award Winners Celebrating Industry Innovations And Commitment To Inclusivity","name":"IBTTA24_TEA PROUD-social_0924.png","width":"1200","description":"IBTTA Announces 2024 Toll Excellence And Dei Award Winners Celebrating Industry Innovations And Commitment To Inclusivity","title":"IBTTA24_TEA PROUD-social_0924.png","type":"document","uuid":"746cbbc3-1c89-5f66-32be-dd44b2ade334","fileEntryId":"1529340","resourcePrimKey":"1529362","url":"/documents/d/guest/ibtta24_tea-proud-social_0924-png","height":"400"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="OM8FuFfb" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"IBTTA Announces 2024 Toll Excellence And Dei Award Winners Celebrating Industry Innovations And Commitment To Inclusivity","name":"IBTTA24_TEA PROUD-social_0924.png","width":"1200","description":"IBTTA Announces 2024 Toll Excellence And Dei Award Winners Celebrating Industry Innovations And Commitment To Inclusivity","title":"IBTTA24_TEA PROUD-social_0924.png","type":"document","uuid":"746cbbc3-1c89-5f66-32be-dd44b2ade334","fileEntryId":"1529340","resourcePrimKey":"1529362","url":"/documents/d/guest/ibtta24_tea-proud-social_0924-png","height":"400"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="amh2zYHv" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[IBTTA Announces 2024 Toll Excellence And Dei Award Winners, Celebrating Industry Innovations And Commitment To Inclusivity]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="WLHiMjNe" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="3JhJ681Z" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The International Bridge, Tunnel, and Turnpike Association (IBTTA), the global association for toll facility owners, operators, and supporting businesses, proudly announces the winners of the 2024 Toll Excellence Awards and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Awards. These honors celebrate innovation and the advancement of best practices within the tolling and user-based transportation financing sector. By recognizing the industry’s most creative and impactful projects, </p>
<p>IBTTA continues to set new benchmarks for safety, performance, and inclusivity across the global transportation landscape.</p>
<p>Toll Excellence Awards</p>
<p>IBTTA’s Toll Excellence Awards honor the most outstanding projects and programs in the international tolling industry. Each year, these awards highlight toll agencies, operators, and private sector members whose innovative efforts set a new standard of excellence, accelerating the adoption of new ideas and practices throughout the industry and benefiting the driving public.</p>
<p><strong>The 2024 Toll Excellence Award winners are:</strong></p>
<p><em><strong>Administration and Finance: Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) for the I-405 Improvement Project / 405 Express Lanes</strong></em></p>
<p>Golden State Game-Changer: The I-405 Improvement Project introduced the 405 Express Lanes, transforming congestion relief along one of California’s busiest freeways. By implementing congestion management pricing and securing substantial public support, OCTA has set a high standard for large-scale infrastructure projects.</p>
<p><em><strong>Customer Service & Marketing: Illinois Tollway for I-PASS Assist</strong></em></p>
<p>Land of Lincoln Leads: The I-PASS Assist program dramatically increased accessibility and affordability for underserved communities, setting a precedent for equitable tollway travel through innovative customer support and outreach initiatives.</p>
<p><em><strong>Private Sector Innovation: Indra USA, Inc. for 66 Express Outside the Beltway</strong></em></p>
<p>Innovating Virginia's Highways: Indra’s implementation of advanced tolling technology on the I-66 corridor has drastically improved traffic flow and lays the groundwork for future advancements in tolling technology, making it a standout project in the industry.</p>
<p><em><strong>Safety: Colorado Transportation Investment Office (CTIO) for CTIO Express Lanes Safety Enforcement Program (SE</strong></em>P)</p>
<p>Mile-High Safety Boost: CTIO’s deployment of the Wireless Autonomous Lane Enforcer (WAL-E) technology has significantly enhanced express lane safety, reducing serious injury crashes and setting new benchmarks for sustainable and cost-effective enforcement.</p>
<p><em><strong>Social Responsibility: Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority for the Gordie Howe International Bridge</strong></em></p>
<p>Windsor and Detroit's New Gateway: The Gordie Howe International Bridge project exemplifies excellence in social responsibility, fostering social change through extensive community engagement and environmental stewardship while contributing billions to local economic growth.</p>
<p><em><strong>Technology: North Carolina Department of Transportation, Turnpike Authority for Back Office System 2 Using Cloud Technologies and APIs</strong></em></p>
<p>Tar Heel Turnpike: NC DOT’s BOS2 has revolutionized toll transaction processing and customer service, setting a new industry standard with its scalable, cloud-based infrastructure and enhanced user experience.</p>
<p><em><strong>Toll Operations, Engineering and Maintenance: Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority (THEA) for East Selmon Slip Ramps</strong></em></p>
<p>Navigating the Sunshine City: THEA’s innovative slip ramps have eased congestion on the Selmon Expressway, improving traffic flow and safety while optimizing future infrastructure investments.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.ibtta.org/toll-excellence-awards" target="_blank">Learn more about the Toll Excellence Award winners and their groundbreaking projects.</a></p>
<p><strong>Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Awards</strong></p>
<p>IBTTA’s DEI Awards honor organizations that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace and community. This year’s winners have made significant strides in embedding DEI principles into their business strategies and operations.</p>
<p><strong>The 2024 DEI Award winners are:</strong></p>
<p>
<em><strong>Public Sector Award Winner: 407 ETR’s DEI Program</strong></em></p>
<p>Building diversity and inclusivity on and off the road: 407 ETR’s DEI Program has driven meaningful change within the tolling industry, enhancing workplace diversity and community engagement, and setting new benchmarks for inclusivity and equity.</p>
<p><em><strong>Private Sector Award Winner: Dewberry IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility) Program</strong></em></p>
<p>Private Sector Impact: Dewberry’s IDEA Program has cultivated a vibrant, inclusive culture and demonstrated strong supplier diversity, contributing significantly to community and STEM education initiatives across the nation.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.ibtta.org/diversity-equity-and-inclusion-award" target="_blank">Learn more about the DEI winners and their groundbreaking projects. </a></p>
<p>Awards Presentation. The Toll Excellence and DEI Awards will be formally presented during IBTTA’s 92nd Annual Meeting & Exhibition in Cleveland, Ohio, from October 26-29, 2024. This premier event will convene leaders from across the tolling and transportation sectors to celebrate these achievements, explore the future of the industry, and witness the live announcement of the President's Award for Excellence. Attendees will also have the opportunity to experience the largest exhibit hall in IBTTA’s history, showcasing the latest innovations and services. Register today to be part of this milestone event. </p>
<p>About IBTTA. The International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA) is the worldwide association for the owners and operators of toll facilities and the businesses that serve them. Founded in 1932, IBTTA has members in more than 20 countries on six continents. Through advocacy, thought leadership, and education, members are implementing state-of-the-art, innovative user-based transportation financing solutions to address the critical infrastructure challenges of the 21st century. For more information, visit <a href="https://getipass.com/" target="_blank">www.ibtta.org</a></p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="uwQix34a" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2024-09-09]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
IBTTA Announces 2024 Toll Excellence And Dei Award Winners Celebrating Industry Innovations And Commitment To Inclusivity
Display date: 2024-09-09
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="8hhsc5vc" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Reminds Drivers Traveling Over Labor Day Holiday Weekend to Dial Star999 for Roadway Assistance","name":"LaborDay travel-blog_0924.png","width":"1200","description":"Illinois Tollway Reminds Drivers Traveling Over Labor Day Holiday Weekend to Dial Star999 for Roadway Assistance","title":"LaborDay travel-blog_0924.png","type":"document","uuid":"5a2cfcf7-be54-3c27-794c-17b7be061be9","fileEntryId":"1525158","resourcePrimKey":"1525196","url":"/documents/d/guest/laborday-travel-blog_0924-png","height":"400"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="f2KtYgZU" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Reminds Drivers Traveling Over Labor Day Holiday Weekend to Dial Star999 for Roadway Assistance","name":"LaborDay travel-blog_0924.png","width":"1200","description":"Illinois Tollway Reminds Drivers Traveling Over Labor Day Holiday Weekend to Dial Star999 for Roadway Assistance","title":"LaborDay travel-blog_0924.png","type":"document","uuid":"785593d4-aa36-9b62-8fc2-7845d247c4a0","fileEntryId":"1525176","resourcePrimKey":"1525196","url":"/documents/d/guest/laborday-travel-blog_0924-png-1","height":"400"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="JyfVil6k" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Reminds Drivers Traveling Over Labor Day Holiday Weekend to Dial *999 for Roadway Assistance]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="RizrCbQr" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="D5EkJfBW" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway reminds drivers traveling over the Labor Day holiday weekend that roadside assistance is a cell phone call away by dialing *999 if they experience mechanical problems or are involved in a roadway incident, and also urges travelers to stay in their vehicles until help from Tollway maintenance crews arrives.<br />
<br />
The Illinois Tollway expects 7.8 million vehicles to travel on its system over the five-day Labor Day holiday weekend between Friday, August 30, and Tuesday, September 3. The heaviest travel is expected on Friday, August 30, when 1.9 million vehicles are projected to use the 294-mile Tollway system. On an average day, almost 1.6 million vehicles use the Illinois Tollway.<br />
<br />
“Safety is our top priority and we want drivers to know they can always reach us by dialing *999 if they need roadside assistance while traveling on our system, not only over the holiday but throughout the year,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. “We’re urging drivers to focus on safety when traveling during the Labor Day weekend by slowing down in work zones, putting away cellphones and moving over for any vehicle stopped on the side of the road.”<br />
<br />
Drivers should call *999 to get help from Tollway roadway maintenance crews who patrol the Tollway system 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In addition, the Highway Emergency Lane Patrol (H.E.L.P.) supported by GEICO is also available to assist drivers 4 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday. <br />
<br />
The Tollway’s motorist aid patrols and H.E.L.P. trucks stand ready to help stranded customers change tires, jump-start batteries, add coolant, dispense fuel, transport customers, move vehicles away from traffic and call for a tow truck. <br />
<br />
<strong>Holiday Work Zones</strong><br />
To accommodate holiday travel on the Illinois Tollway, construction activity will be restricted to better serve Tollway customers. Most temporary maintenance and construction lane closures will be suspended from noon on Friday, August 30, through 9 a.m. on Tuesday, September 3. Some work may continue behind barriers to keep work on schedule. Areas where ongoing work zones may impact traffic include: <br />
</p>
<p><strong>Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80) </strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Between St. Charles Road and Butterfield Road, southbound traffic shifts into a split configuration with two left lanes continuing on the I-294 mainline and two right lanes on auxiliary lanes providing access to exit ramps for eastbound I-290 and for westbound I-88 before reconnecting with the southbound I-294 mainline.</li>
<li>Between I-55 and Wolf Road, traffic is shifted in both directions with northbound counterflow lanes between Roosevelt Road and Wolf Road and a southbound counterflow lane between Cermak Road and Ogden Avenue. Watch for signage indicating changing traffic patterns.</li>
<li>Closures and detours are in place on the ramps connecting westbound I-290 to northbound I-294 and westbound Roosevelt Road to southbound I-294.</li>
<li>Between 159th Street and I-80, traffic is shifted in both directions with a split configuration on the southbound side. Southbound traffic exiting to I-80 must be in the far-right lane before the split.</li>
</ul>
<p> <br />
Work zone speed limits are in effect in all construction zones 24/7 and drivers should continue to watch for changing traffic patterns and use caution, especially when workers are present. Remember to stay focused, slow down and watch for changes in traffic patterns in place to provide safe access for drivers in work zones.<br />
<br />
<strong>Give Them Distance</strong><br />
Illinois requires drivers to slow down, move over and change lanes, if possible, to make extra room when approaching ANY vehicle with lights flashing, stopped on a roadway. The Move Over Law is intended to protect first responders and roadway workers, as well as any driver who may be stopped on the side of the road, and, penalties for ignoring the law have been increased to a minimum fine of $250 for a first-time violation and $750 for subsequent violations as further deterrent.<br />
<br />
<strong>Drop It and Drive</strong><br />
Remember to Drop It and Drive because it is illegal to use a hand-held device when driving in Illinois. Sending or receiving a text can take a driver’s eyes off the road for 5 seconds—traveling at 55 miles an hour that’s like traveling farther than the length of football field with your eyes closed. Using a cellphone behind the wheel is considered a moving violation even if the vehicle is stopped at a traffic signal.<br />
<br />
<strong>About the Illinois Tollway</strong><br />
The Illinois Tollway is a user-fee system that receives no state or federal funds for maintenance and operations. The agency maintains and operates 294 miles of roadways in 12 counties in Northern Illinois, including the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355), the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80) and the Illinois Route 390 Tollway.<br />
</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="5BG2nE1K" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2024-08-29]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Reminds Drivers Traveling Over Labor Day Holiday Weekend to Dial Star999 for Roadway Assistance
Display date: 2024-08-29
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="i64UjXMW" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Introduces New Opportunities For Small Businesses Through Its Job Order Contracting (JOC) Program","name":"MVick-JOCSBI-v2-frame-blog_0824.png","width":"1200","description":"Illinois Tollway Introduces New Opportunities For Small Businesses Through Its Job Order Contracting (JOC) Program","title":"MVick-JOCSBI-v2-frame-blog_0824.png","type":"document","uuid":"36865d1c-c840-ec40-9c3d-8f1d743395f3","fileEntryId":"1521166","resourcePrimKey":"1521190","url":"/documents/d/guest/mvick-jocsbi-v2-frame-blog_0824-png","height":"400"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="SHXMwdMO" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Introduces New Opportunities For Small Businesses Through Its Job Order Contracting (JOC) Program","name":"MVick-JOCSBI-v2-frame-blog_0824.png","width":"1200","description":"Illinois Tollway Introduces New Opportunities For Small Businesses Through Its Job Order Contracting (JOC) Program","title":"MVick-JOCSBI-v2-frame-blog_0824.png","type":"document","uuid":"36865d1c-c840-ec40-9c3d-8f1d743395f3","fileEntryId":"1521166","resourcePrimKey":"1521190","url":"/documents/d/guest/mvick-jocsbi-v2-frame-blog_0824-png","height":"400"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="FNbpCZiW" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Introduces New Opportunities For Small Businesses Through Its Job Order Contracting (JOC) Program]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="biZ7r8RW" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="U5UMMz8k" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway is creating new opportunities for small businesses to work on Tollway projects through its Job Order Contracting (JOC) Program – work related to electrical, flooring, HVAC, masonry, plumbing, roofing and other general construction projects at Tollway facilities throughout Northern Illinois. <br />
<br />
“The new Small Business Initiative JOC for General Construction opens doors for more small companies to gain valuable experience working on Tollway projects,” said Illinois Tollway Acting Chief of Diversity and Strategic Development Marlene Vick. “These opportunities are a crucial step in helping small businesses grow, create jobs and stimulate economic growth in their local communities.” <br />
<br />
The JOC Program is a project delivery method that enables the Illinois Tollway to complete a high volume of facility repairs and individual construction projects with a single, competitively bid contract, eliminating the time and expense of the typical design-bid-construct cycle for each project. The program includes JOC for General and Mechanical Construction, JOC for Roadway Services and Small Business JOC for General Construction. <br />
<br />
General contractors bid competitively from a catalog of construction tasks with pre-set unit prices based on the regional market. In most cases, the JOC general contractors rely on subcontractors to perform tasks related to each project.<br />
<br />
The JOC Program allows the Illinois Tollway to decrease project duration and cost, while increasing quality and maintaining a strong presence in the local construction community. At the same time, it allows the Tollway to further expand its network of firms available to work on Tollway projects. Under the previous JOC Program, the Tollway welcomed more than 150 subcontractors that were new to the Tollway. <br />
<br />
The recent networking event introduced the new Small Business Initiative JOC and the general contractor to representatives of nearly 50 small businesses – those with annual gross revenues of $14 million or less – already registered with the Tollway’s Small Business Initiative. It also offered guidance to firms interested in joining the program and provided insights into the Tollway’s Technical Assistance Program and other resources to help small businesses thrive in the competitive construction industry. <br />
<br />
The Small Business Initiative JOC provides opportunities for small businesses to partner with larger, established firms. These partnerships provide continuous training and support, helping small businesses gain skills needed to take on future projects with the Tollway or other agencies. <br />
<br />
The Small Business Initiative JOC is valued at approximately $6.6 million over three years. It is designed to increase opportunities for small businesses by capping job order values at $100,000. In the past seven years, approximately 80 percent of the more than 1,000 tasks completed through the Tollway’s JOC Program were valued at less than $100,000. Work is divided into four geographic facilities zones to provide more opportunities for local small businesses. <br />
<br />
“This new initiative helps level the playing field by allowing more small businesses to compete for these contracts,” said Illinois Tollway Chief of Facilities and Fleet Dave Donovan. <br />
<br />
Small businesses interested in the JOB Small Business Initiative can find more information <a href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/doing-business/construction-engineering#Job%20Order%20Contracting" target="_blank">here</a>. </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="ffcQCf7E" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2024-08-19]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Introduces New Opportunities For Small Businesses Through Its Job Order Contracting Program
Display date: 2024-08-19
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="tcfevoyq" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Reminds Drivers Speeding Catches Up With You ","name":"SpeedAwareness-blog_0724.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway Reminds Drivers Speeding Catches Up With You ","title":"SpeedAwareness-blog_0724.png","type":"document","uuid":"a9e3ed50-75a5-0781-af53-67c6b4488873","fileEntryId":"1481422","resourcePrimKey":"1481443","url":"/documents/20184/1415293/SpeedAwareness-blog_0724.png/a9e3ed50-75a5-0781-af53-67c6b4488873?t=1721833481915","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="eymcoilq" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Reminds Drivers Speeding Catches Up With You ","name":"SpeedAwareness-blog_0724.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway Reminds Drivers Speeding Catches Up With You ","title":"SpeedAwareness-blog_0724.png","type":"document","uuid":"a9e3ed50-75a5-0781-af53-67c6b4488873","fileEntryId":"1481422","resourcePrimKey":"1481443","url":"/documents/20184/1415293/SpeedAwareness-blog_0724.png/a9e3ed50-75a5-0781-af53-67c6b4488873?t=1721833481915","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="mmgrlkjh" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Reminds Drivers, “Speeding Catches Up With You”]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="zxicqxgj" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="oezvejlk" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>In support of Illinois Speed Awareness Day 2024, the Illinois Tollway joined with the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Illinois State Police, the Illinois Department of Transportation and other local law enforcement agencies and safety groups to remind drivers that “Speeding Catches Up With You.”<br /> <br />Speed limits on the Illinois Tollway are in place to protect everyone who uses our roads and those working on our roads. <br /> <br />Every year, across the U.S., speeding accounts for one-third of all traffic fatalities. In addition, speeding was the cause of more than half (55 percent) of the fatal crashes that killed more than 1,200 people in Illinois in 2023.<br /> <br />Driving responsibly can save lives. Remember:</p><ul><li>Speeding can cause drivers to lose control of their vehicles. </li><li>Speeding makes it harder to stop in time to avoid crashes. </li><li>Speeding can result in secondary crashes, leading to more serious injuries or fatalities. </li></ul><p> <br />The Illinois Tollway asks drivers to do their part to ensure safe travels for everyone by slowing down and following the speed limits. <br /> <br />For more information, visit the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nhtsa.gov/campaign/speeding-catches-up-with-you">NHTSA website</a>. </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="vszmtrap" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2024-07-24]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Reminds Drivers Speeding Catches Up With You
Display date: 2024-07-24
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="rkfmivdx" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Reminds Drivers Traveling During Fourth of July Holiday To Travel Safely By Avoiding Distracted Driving","name":"July 4 safety-blog_0724.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway Reminds Drivers Traveling During Fourth of July Holiday To Travel Safely By Avoiding Distracted Driving","title":"July 4 safety-blog_0724.png","type":"document","uuid":"8d391827-7932-0e7a-53e9-a8924c7e49bd","fileEntryId":"1475448","resourcePrimKey":"1475469","url":"/documents/20184/1415293/July%204%20safety-blog_0724.png/8d391827-7932-0e7a-53e9-a8924c7e49bd?t=1719864901571","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="cziqyiqh" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Reminds Drivers Traveling During Fourth of July Holiday To Travel Safely By Avoiding Distracted Driving","name":"July 4 safety-blog_0724.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway Reminds Drivers Traveling During Fourth of July Holiday To Travel Safely By Avoiding Distracted Driving","title":"July 4 safety-blog_0724.png","type":"document","uuid":"8d391827-7932-0e7a-53e9-a8924c7e49bd","fileEntryId":"1475448","resourcePrimKey":"1475469","url":"/documents/20184/1415293/July%204%20safety-blog_0724.png/8d391827-7932-0e7a-53e9-a8924c7e49bd?t=1719864901571","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="akviaxxf" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Reminds Drivers Traveling During Fourth of July Holiday To Travel Safely By Avoiding Distracted Driving]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="mlqnjtme" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="ommvdeuw" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway is urging drivers to avoid distracted driving by putting away cellphones and other electronic devices when they get behind the wheel this Fourth of July holiday. </p><p>The Illinois Tollway expects nearly 9.3 million vehicles to travel the system over the six-day Fourth of July holiday weekend between Wednesday, July 3, and Monday, July 8. The heaviest travel is expected on Wednesday, July 3, when 1.9 million vehicles are projected to use the 294-mile Tollway system. Traffic volume is expected to be lighter than average on Thursday, July 4, and again on Saturday and Sunday. On an average day, almost 1.6 million vehicles use the Illinois Tollway.</p><p>“Our roads will be busy as customers take advantage of the long weekend to attend holiday gatherings or visit family and friends, so it’s essential that drivers to put down their phones and stay focused on the road to prevent crashes and save lives,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. “We’re reminding drivers that they can take a break at one of our oases when they want to safely make phone calls or send text messages.”</p><p>When it comes to cellphones, drivers are required to Drop It and Drive because it is illegal in Illinois to use a hand-held device when driving. Sending or receiving a text can take a driver’s eyes off the road for 5 seconds – traveling at 55 miles an hour that’s like traveling farther than the length of football field with your eyes closed. <br /> <br /><a target="_blank" href="/projects"><strong>Holiday Work Zones</strong></a><br />To accommodate holiday travel on the Illinois Tollway, construction activity will be restricted to better serve Tollway customers. Most temporary maintenance and construction lane closures will be suspended from noon on Wednesday, July 3, through 9 a.m. on Monday, July 8. Some work may continue behind barriers to keep work on schedule. All work is weather-dependent. <br /> <br />Areas where ongoing work zones may impact traffic include: <br />Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80) </p><ul><li>Between St. Charles Road and Butterfield Road, southbound traffic shifts into a split configuration with two left lanes continuing on the I-294 mainline and two right lanes on auxiliary lanes providing access to exit ramps for eastbound I-290 and for westbound I-88 before reconnecting with the southbound I-294 mainline.</li><li>Between I-55 and Wolf Road, traffic is shifted in both directions with northbound counterflow lanes between Roosevelt Road and Wolf Road. Watch for signage indicating changing traffic patterns.</li><li>Closures and detours are in place on the ramps connecting westbound I-290 to northbound I-294 and westbound Roosevelt Road to southbound I-294.</li><li>Between 159th Street and I-80, traffic is shifted in both directions with a split configuration on the southbound side. Southbound traffic exiting to I-80 must be in the far-right lane before the split.</li></ul><p><strong>Dial *999 for Roadway Assistance</strong><br />Drivers should call *999 to get help from Tollway roadway maintenance crews who patrol the Tollway system 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In addition, the Highway Emergency Lane Patrol (H.E.L.P.) supported by GEICO is also available to assist drivers 4 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Tollway’s motorist aid patrols stand ready to help stranded customers change tires, jump-start batteries, add coolant, dispense fuel, transport customers, move vehicles away from traffic and call for a tow truck. </p><p><a target="_blank" href="/il-tollway-app"><strong>Official Illinois Tollway App</strong></a><br />To make traveling over the holiday weekend easier, drivers can use the new trip planning feature added to the Official Illinois Tollway App to map out the best routes and plan for tolls before they hit the road. The app aids drivers traveling on the Tollway system and toll roads in other states by showing all toll plazas, toll rates and payment options on the way to their destinations. <br /> <br />The Official Illinois Tollway App also allows drivers to safely and securely manage I-PASS accounts or Pay By Plate service directly from their smartphone.<br /> <br />Illinois Tollway drivers continue to have the option to pay tolls with I-PASS, E-ZPass or pay online with the Tollway’s Pay By Plate service. And for those in need of assistance, the Tollway has enhanced its I-PASS Assist program. In addition, I-PASS can be used to pay tolls in 19 states and within more than 35 tolling agencies that accept E-ZPass.<br /> <br /><strong>About the Illinois Tollway</strong><br />The Illinois Tollway is a user-fee system that receives no state or federal funds for maintenance and operations. The agency maintains and operates 294 miles of roadways in 12 counties in Northern Illinois, including the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355), the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80) and the Illinois Route 390 Tollway.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="mqvpnqdq" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2024-07-01]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Reminds Drivers Traveling During Fourth of July Holiday To Travel Safely By Avoiding Distracted Driving
Display date: 2024-07-01
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="atmeranc" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Internships Provide Opportunities for Students to Gain Real-World Work Experiences","name":"20240628 Interns.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway Internships Provide Opportunities for Students to Gain Real-World Work Experiences","title":"20240628 Interns.png","type":"document","uuid":"a44d4088-fd71-0f7f-c1ee-03e202c34e47","fileEntryId":"1475100","resourcePrimKey":"1475421","url":"/documents/20184/1415293/20240628%20Interns.png/a44d4088-fd71-0f7f-c1ee-03e202c34e47?t=1719610943416","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="ftztomtm" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Internships Provide Opportunities for Students to Gain Real-World Work Experiences","name":"20240628 Interns.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway Internships Provide Opportunities for Students to Gain Real-World Work Experiences","title":"20240628 Interns.png","type":"document","uuid":"a44d4088-fd71-0f7f-c1ee-03e202c34e47","fileEntryId":"1475100","resourcePrimKey":"1475421","url":"/documents/20184/1415293/20240628%20Interns.png/a44d4088-fd71-0f7f-c1ee-03e202c34e47?t=1719610943416","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="xdfuowls" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Internships Provide Opportunities for Students to Gain Real-World Work Experiences]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="fibmdzhl" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="mlxqhaeh" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway continues to nurture the next generation of engineers and transportation industry professionals through its internship program. <br /> <br />“As part of our efforts to build a pipeline of future leaders, we are providing our interns with opportunities to gain practical, hands-on experience by applying their academic skills to ongoing programs, projects and initiatives,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. “Our interns are working in collaboration with some of the most knowledgeable professionals in the transportation industry, who mentor and guide students to acquire valuable workplace experiences that will help further their careers.”<br /> <br />Interns also participate in a range of interactive activities aimed at fostering long-lasting relationships with their peers and mentors. <br /> <br />The Illinois Tollway 2024 internship program includes 31 interns representing 20 different colleges and universities in seven states, including Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, Missouri and North Carolina. This year marks the highest number of interns ever participating in the Tollway’s internship program.</p><p>Most of the interns are participating in the Tollway’s 10-week summer Professional Services Internship Program, which provides interns with hands-on experience working daily in one of 12 different departments, including Administration, Business Systems, Executive Office, Facilities and Fleet, Finance, Information Technology, Internal Audit, Office of the Inspector General, Operations, Planning, Security and Safety and Stakeholder Engagement. <br /> <br />Two interns are participating in the year-long Engineering Cooperative Educational Program, which offers in-depth instruction on the three phases of a project – planning, design and construction. Another intern is in the one-year Business Systems internship, diving into transportation and public policy data projects. <br /> <br />The Tollway’s paid internship programs started on June 3. The summer internship ends on August 9, while the Engineering Co-Op and Business Systems internships run through May 2025. <br /> <br />“This year, we’re focused on helping interns build relationships with their peers and mentors so they feel more comfortable working in this environment and make what we hope will become enduring connections,” said Illinois Tollway Pipeline Partnership Liaison Jyoti Rao. “More of our activities this year are in-person rather than virtual to help cultivate those relationships.” <br /> <br />In-person activities include site visits to a live construction project and a Tollway maintenance facility to see the trucks and equipment routinely used for roadway maintenance and for responding to incidents. <br /> <br />The Tollway also provides interns enriching career opportunities through job shadowing, allowing them to follow professionals in other departments to gain a broader perspective of the agency and its daily operations. These experiences expand the interns’ understanding of how the Tollway works, as they see firsthand how the diverse roles and responsibilities of different departments fit together to forge a cohesive whole. <br /> <br />Other professional development opportunities include training on specific workplace behaviors and competencies such as workplace communication, conflict resolution and mapping out a career to help interns at the Tollway and beyond.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="pumqvrcx" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2024-06-28]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Internships Provide Opportunities for Students to Gain Real-World Work Experiences
Display date: 2024-06-28
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="tkpphbyx" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway unveils new look new safety features for roadway HELP trucks during Global Road Safety Week","name":"GEICO-Help-blog_0624.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway unveils new look new safety features for roadway HELP trucks during Global Road Safety Week","title":"GEICO-Help-blog_0624.png","type":"document","uuid":"f7fe470b-f6c4-dc69-57b0-30e8c41bfc82","fileEntryId":"1473241","resourcePrimKey":"1473261","url":"/documents/20184/1415293/GEICO-Help-blog_0624.png/f7fe470b-f6c4-dc69-57b0-30e8c41bfc82?t=1719411116578","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="wlgzuzqg" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway unveils new look new safety features for roadway HELP trucks during Global Road Safety Week","name":"GEICO-Help-blog_0624.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway unveils new look new safety features for roadway HELP trucks during Global Road Safety Week","title":"GEICO-Help-blog_0624.png","type":"document","uuid":"f7fe470b-f6c4-dc69-57b0-30e8c41bfc82","fileEntryId":"1473241","resourcePrimKey":"1473261","url":"/documents/20184/1415293/GEICO-Help-blog_0624.png/f7fe470b-f6c4-dc69-57b0-30e8c41bfc82?t=1719411116578","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="rkpjxyxw" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway unveils new look, new safety features for roadway H.E.L.P. trucks during Global Road Safety Week]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="jsqdlbyj" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="ldkllkdy" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>They’re a familiar sight on the Illinois Tollway, but the Highway Emergency Lane Patrol (H.E.L.P.) trucks are getting a new look and additional features to allow Tollway workers to more safely assist drivers, remove roadway debris and respond to traffic incidents.<br /> <br />The Tollway is updating the vehicles with a high-visibility color scheme, adding new lighting and installing a plow-like tool that allows Tollway workers to remove roadway debris without leaving their vehicle..<br /> <br />The trucks, formerly white with red lettering, are being repainted a fluorescent “safety” green that will make the vehicles more visible at night and in low-light conditions that are common during winter storms and other severe weather. The lettering will change from red to blue to increase visibility.<br /> <br />The heavy-duty front bumpers on the H.E.L.P. trucks are being replaced with a new “lane blade” feature that will allow their operators to lower the blade like a plow and clear debris from the roadway, rather than having the driver leave the safety of the truck and remove the debris by hand.<br /> <br />H.E.L.P trucks are often the first to arrive at a traffic incident, closing roadway lanes and removing debris, while providing an array of services to stranded motorists that include changing flat tires, providing jump starts, adding coolant and fuel, and calling for tow trucks.<br /> <br />The H.E.L.P. truck program plays a critical role on the Tollway system by quickly removing disabled vehicles from active traffic lanes, safeguarding those drivers and reducing the risk of secondary crashes. The new lane blade feature still will allow H.E.L.P. trucks to safely push disabled vehicles off the road and away from moving traffic.<br /> <br />New lighting added to the trucks will allow them to more brightly illuminate incident scenes and new digital features will allow their operators to more quickly post messages on their electronic sign boards to divert drivers away from crashes, debris or other roadway situations.<br /> <br />Supported by GEICO, 12 H.E.L.P. trucks patrol the 294-mile Tollway system from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday, and typically provide customers with roadside assistance within 15 minutes.<br /> <br />Last year, H.E.L.P. trucks patrolled more than 1.2 million miles on the Tollway and assisted nearly 29,000 drivers.<br /> <br />Tollway customers who need roadway assistance should dial *999. Drivers can learn more about the program and provide feedback <a target="_blank" href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/travel-information">online</a>.<br /> <br />And remember to #BeSafeTogether during Global Road Safety Week and beyond!</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="msqnrxwk" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2024-06-26]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway unveils new look new safety features for roadway HELP trucks during Global Road Safety Week
Display date: 2024-06-26
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="wludsmce" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Announces Participation in IBTTA Be Safe Together Road Safety Campaign and Global Road Safety Week ","name":"20240621 Be Safe together Blog Image.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway Announces Participation in IBTTA Be Safe Together Road Safety Campaign and Global Road Safety Week ","title":"20240621 Be Safe together Blog Image","type":"document","uuid":"6cb8b7c9-9fe9-b8d8-1dfe-b290727a3711","fileEntryId":"1472243","resourcePrimKey":"1472263","url":"/documents/20184/1415293/20240621%20Be%20Safe%20together%20Blog%20Image.png/6cb8b7c9-9fe9-b8d8-1dfe-b290727a3711?t=1719235318309","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="qqfucxlj" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Announces Participation in IBTTA Be Safe Together Road Safety Campaign and Global Road Safety Week ","name":"20240621 Be Safe together Blog Image.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway Announces Participation in IBTTA Be Safe Together Road Safety Campaign and Global Road Safety Week ","title":"20240621 Be Safe together Blog Image","type":"document","uuid":"6cb8b7c9-9fe9-b8d8-1dfe-b290727a3711","fileEntryId":"1472243","resourcePrimKey":"1472263","url":"/documents/20184/1415293/20240621%20Be%20Safe%20together%20Blog%20Image.png/6cb8b7c9-9fe9-b8d8-1dfe-b290727a3711?t=1719235318309","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="auwyvank" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Announces Participation in IBTTA’s “Be Safe Together” Road Safety Campaign and Global Road Safety Week]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="ptazuspc" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="pjsoehzg" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Illinois Tollway Announces Participation in IBTTA Be Safe Together Road Safety Campaign and Global Road Safety Week </p><p>As a member of the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA), the Illinois Tollway is joining a new global road safety campaign to educate drivers about the actions they can take to make our roads safer for all users.</p><p>The “Be Safe Together” campaign begins with the first Global Road Safety Week, June 24-28, showcasing the tolling industry’s commitment to safety through our work to build and maintain safe roads and emphasizing to drivers that the little choices they make at each step of their journey can make a real difference in others’ lives.</p><p>“The Illinois Tollway’s highest priority is protecting our customers, roadway workers and everyone who uses or works along our roads, but we know to accomplish that goal we need drivers to work with us by focusing on driving safely every time they get behind the wheel,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. “We’re pleased to join in this first-of-its-kind global road safety campaign and the opportunity to emphasize the vital role drivers play in keeping roads safe by taking simple steps, including following posted speed limits, slowing down in work zones and avoiding distracted or impaired driving.”</p><p>Be Safe Together is a call to action and a reminder that every person on the road, including drivers, motorcyclists, passengers, and road workers, is part of a community of people who deserve empathy and respect. Join us and learn more <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ibtta.org/besafetogether">here</a>.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="croxtcyy" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2024-06-24]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Announces Participation in IBTTA Be Safe Together Road Safety Campaign and Global Road Safety Week
Display date: 2024-06-24
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="mxvdbmum" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"IBTTA RUC blog","name":"IBTTA RUC-blog_0624.png","width":"","description":"IBTTA RUC blog","title":"IBTTA RUC-blog_0624.png","type":"journal","uuid":"f232d3c8-43fe-c6ab-f30b-220c65d0a775","fileEntryId":"1471164","resourcePrimKey":"1471162","url":"/documents/924058/1471163/IBTTA%20RUC-blog_0624.png/f232d3c8-43fe-c6ab-f30b-220c65d0a775?t=1718736299899","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="ecqbqzfw" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"","name":"IBTTA RUC-blog_0624 (1).png","width":"","description":"","title":"IBTTA RUC-blog_0624 (1).png","type":"journal","uuid":"291a17fb-a963-3428-e59d-93104e010f4b","fileEntryId":"1471173","resourcePrimKey":"1471162","url":"/documents/924058/1471163/IBTTA%20RUC-blog_0624%20%281%29.png/291a17fb-a963-3428-e59d-93104e010f4b?t=1718736299939","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="oyjmlfyk" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Joins International Tolling Industry Discussion on Innovative Approaches to Transportation Infrastructure Funding]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="jgjcgurs" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="uxgdvrpe" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>A who’s who of transportation and tolling industry experts and professionals – individuals and organizations – came together in Maryland this month to further the common goal of working to move the needle on new solutions for improving roadside and back-office financial systems.</p><p>Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse and staff participated in the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association’s Finance and Road Usage Charging Summit and focused squarely on the important issues and funding challenges facing infrastructure project delivery and transportation operations.</p><p>The goal of the summit? To delve into substantive discussions on infrastructure project finance alternatives, toll revenue assurance, data analytics applications, risk management and best practices in financial management, as well as breakout sessions on road user charging among other subjects.</p><p>With leaders from more than 20 states and six countries, the summit provided an opportunity to learn about and discuss fresh insights into emerging technology trends, implementation challenges, vehicle telematics, institutional integration and strategies for procurement and vendor engagement. <a href="https://www.ibtta.org/content/finance-summit-road-usage-charging-summit-baltimore">Finance Summit & Road Usage Charging Summit - Baltimore | IBTTA | International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association</a></p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="toulnohz" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2024-06-18]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Joins International Tolling Industry Discussion on Innovative Approaches to Transportation Infrastructure Funding
Display date: 2024-06-18
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="trhzgcot" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Japanese Engineers And Executives Meet With Illinois Tollway To Exchange Insights On Roadway Maintenance Innovations And Best Practices","name":"JapanGroup-blog_0624.png","width":"","description":"Japanese Engineers And Executives Meet With Illinois Tollway To Exchange Insights On Roadway Maintenance Innovations And Best Practices","title":"JapanGroup-blog_0624.png","type":"document","uuid":"2904059f-45da-b103-3f65-623b00d7113c","fileEntryId":"1468150","resourcePrimKey":"1468171","url":"/documents/20184/1415293/JapanGroup-blog_0624.png/2904059f-45da-b103-3f65-623b00d7113c?t=1717792015700","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="hjipqimj" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Japanese Engineers And Executives Meet With Illinois Tollway To Exchange Insights On Roadway Maintenance Innovations And Best Practices","name":"JapanGroup-blog_0624.png","width":"","description":"Japanese Engineers And Executives Meet With Illinois Tollway To Exchange Insights On Roadway Maintenance Innovations And Best Practices","title":"JapanGroup-blog_0624.png","type":"document","uuid":"2904059f-45da-b103-3f65-623b00d7113c","fileEntryId":"1468150","resourcePrimKey":"1468171","url":"/documents/20184/1415293/JapanGroup-blog_0624.png/2904059f-45da-b103-3f65-623b00d7113c?t=1717792015700","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="guwdarnk" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Japanese Engineers And Executives Meet With Illinois Tollway To Exchange Insights On Roadway Maintenance Innovations And Best Practices]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="mbefiqbo" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="eqsagzev" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>A delegation of about 20 engineers and executive from the Express Highway Research Foundation of Japan recently visited the Illinois Tollway in Downers Grove to learn about Tollway roadway maintenance and incident management operations and to share details about how they are tackling challenges in Japan. </p><p>“Exchanging knowledge through meetings like this is a great way for both our agencies to learn from one another so we can continue to grow, innovate and improve,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. “This meeting marked an important step in our ongoing commitment to collaboration and sharing knowledge with our peers in the global transportation community.” </p><p>Transportation agencies around the world face similar challenges. From Tokyo to Chicago, top priorities include keeping roadways safe and well-maintained in the face of extreme weather conditions and making investments in rebuilding aging infrastructure to meet current and future demands of the motoring public. </p><p>Tollway Roadway Maintenance staff shared an overview of day-to-day maintenance operations – pavement, sign and guardrail repairs; right-of-way mowing; pavement sweeping; Highway Emergency Lane Patrol (HELP) trucks and winter weather operations – as part of its focus on safety for Tollway customers, workers and first responders alike. </p><p>Tollway staff also showcased innovative safety measures such as the 83-foot-long portable steel safety barrier, which is used to shield roadway and emergency workers from fast-moving traffic during a variety of tasks, including pavement repairs, rolling lane closures, roadway lighting work and assisting contractors with maintenance of traffic in work zones. </p><p>The group also visited the Tollway’s Traffic Operations Center to see how the agency detects, confirms and responds to incidents and then went to the Tollway maintenance facility in Downers Grove to get a close-up look at the trucks and equipment used to maintain the roadways. </p><p>The day wasn’t just about Tollway practices. The delegation from Japan also shared their experiences and challenges, particularly their investments in transportation infrastructure and winter operations.</p><p>The Tokyo-based Express Highway Research Foundation is an independent research institution that conducts research pertaining to expressways including economic impacts, engineering, and traffic control. Its governing principle is "to contribute to sustainable development of society by enhancing the values and benefits of the expressways.”</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="upwhlqxj" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2024-06-07]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Japanese Engineers And Executives Meet With Illinois Tollway To Exchange Insights On Roadway Maintenance Innovations And Best Practices
Display date: 2024-06-07
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="ntsablax" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Mile Long Bridge Project Wins ACEC National Recognition Award","name":"ACEC-EEA-blog_0524.png","width":"","description":"Mile Long Bridge Project Wins ACEC National Recognition Award","title":"ACEC-EEA-blog_0524.png","type":"document","uuid":"9decca4a-d70a-1a00-9f96-496df6e4c524","fileEntryId":"1464213","resourcePrimKey":"1464233","url":"/documents/20184/1415293/ACEC-EEA-blog_0524.png/9decca4a-d70a-1a00-9f96-496df6e4c524?t=1716403284793","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="vzbqyrto" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Mile Long Bridge Project Wins ACEC National Recognition Award","name":"ACEC-EEA-blog_0524.png","width":"","description":"Mile Long Bridge Project Wins ACEC National Recognition Award","title":"ACEC-EEA-blog_0524.png","type":"document","uuid":"9decca4a-d70a-1a00-9f96-496df6e4c524","fileEntryId":"1464213","resourcePrimKey":"1464233","url":"/documents/20184/1415293/ACEC-EEA-blog_0524.png/9decca4a-d70a-1a00-9f96-496df6e4c524?t=1716403284793","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="nraahmws" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Mile Long Bridge Project Wins ACEC National Recognition Award]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="syyxeavb" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="fipsxxpj" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse joined the engineering project team for the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/projects/tri-state/mile-long-bridge-project">Mile Long Bridge Project</a> in accepting a National Recognition Award from the American Council of Engineering Companies at the annual ACEC Engineering Excellence Awards Gala earlier this month in Washington, D.C. </p><p>The Mile Long Bridge Project was submitted by Bowman Consulting Group Ltd., which served as the construction manager, along with the design team of H.W. Lochner Inc., HDR Engineering Inc. and Quigg Engineering, Inc. The project received an Honor Award from ACEC Illinois, allowing it to advance to the national awards. </p><p>The Illinois Tollway is grateful to the dedicated team of design and construction engineering firms that went above and beyond to meet all our objectives and achieve outstanding results. </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="bpmouvoa" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2024-05-22]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Mile Long Bridge Project Wins ACEC National Recognition Award
Display date: 2024-05-22
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<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="frtqkoku" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"New Trip Planner Debuts on Official Illinois Tollway App In Time For Memorial Day Weekend","name":"TripPlanner-blog_0524.png","width":"","description":"New Trip Planner Debuts on Official Illinois Tollway App In Time For Memorial Day Weekend","title":"TripPlanner-blog_0524.png","type":"document","uuid":"ac916fa1-75c4-e000-432b-75232c652ea0","fileEntryId":"1463804","resourcePrimKey":"1463877","url":"/documents/20184/1415293/TripPlanner-blog_0524.png/ac916fa1-75c4-e000-432b-75232c652ea0?t=1716297644191","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="lgvlxcsq" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"New Trip Planner Debuts on Official Illinois Tollway App In Time For Memorial Day Weekend","name":"TripPlanner-blog_0524.png","width":"","description":"New Trip Planner Debuts on Official Illinois Tollway App In Time For Memorial Day Weekend","title":"TripPlanner-blog_0524.png","type":"document","uuid":"ac916fa1-75c4-e000-432b-75232c652ea0","fileEntryId":"1463804","resourcePrimKey":"1463877","url":"/documents/20184/1415293/TripPlanner-blog_0524.png/ac916fa1-75c4-e000-432b-75232c652ea0?t=1716297644191","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="lqfbixxg" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[New Trip Planner Debuts on Official Illinois Tollway App In Time For Memorial Day Weekend]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="lmwvodhd" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="uvzrmqxs" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway is launching the summer travel season by introducing a new mapping feature on the Official Illinois Tollway App in time for the Memorial Day holiday weekend to help drivers plan their travels and determine what they will pay in tolls before they hit the road. </p><p>More than 7.9 million vehicles are expected to take a trip on the Tollway system this Memorial Day weekend between Friday, May 24, and Tuesday, May 28 – a 2.5 percent increase over last year’s holiday weekend. The busiest travel day is expected to be May 24, when about 1.9 million vehicles are projected to use the Tollway system. On a typical day, about 1.6 million vehicles travel on the Tollway.<br /> <br />“We’re always working to make traveling easier for our customers and the new trip planning feature does that by allowing drivers to map the best routes to their destinations during the Memorial Day weekend and throughout the year, including determining where and how much they will pay in tolls on the Illinois Tollway and in other states with E-ZPass,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. “Regardless of where drivers are planning to travel this holiday weekend, we’re reminding them to start the summer travel season off safely by putting away their phones, keeping their attention on the road and slowing down when they enter work zones.”</p><p>The new trip planning feature added to the Official Illinois Tollway App will assist drivers traveling on the Tollway system and toll roads in other states by showing all toll plazas, toll rates and payment options on the way to their destinations. Using the trip planner, drivers can map out the best routes and plan for tolls before they leave home. </p><p>The trip planning feature is available to all app users, beginning on Friday, May 24. The Official Illinois Tollway App allows drivers to safely and securely manage I-PASS accounts or Pay By Plate service directly from their smartphone.</p><p>Illinois Tollway drivers continue to have the option to pay tolls with I-PASS, E-ZPass or pay online with the Tollway’s Pay By Plate service. And for those in need of assistance, the Tollway has enhanced its I-PASS Assist program. In addition, I-PASS can be used to pay tolls in 19 states and within more than 35 tolling agencies that accept E-ZPass.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="jfgfigzw" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2024-05-22]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
New Trip Planner Debuts on Official Illinois Tollway App In Time For Memorial Day Weekend
Display date: 2024-05-22
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="irijsrir" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Beams rising over Tri-State Tollway I-294 as work continues on interchange with new I-490 Tollway","name":"490-294-4339 Beam-blog_0524.png","width":"","description":"Beams rising over Tri-State Tollway I-294 as work continues on interchange with new I-490 Tollway","title":"490-294-4339 Beam-blog_0524.png","type":"document","uuid":"78ffc76c-cca6-e58d-1bad-0bd3dfbdbdfb","fileEntryId":"1462011","resourcePrimKey":"1462031","url":"/documents/20184/1415293/490-294-4339%20Beam-blog_0524.png/78ffc76c-cca6-e58d-1bad-0bd3dfbdbdfb?t=1715866995939","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="tlyxfgdz" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Beams rising over Tri-State Tollway I-294 as work continues on interchange with new I-490 Tollway","name":"490-294-4339 Beam-blog_0524.png","width":"","description":"Beams rising over Tri-State Tollway I-294 as work continues on interchange with new I-490 Tollway","title":"490-294-4339 Beam-blog_0524.png","type":"document","uuid":"78ffc76c-cca6-e58d-1bad-0bd3dfbdbdfb","fileEntryId":"1462011","resourcePrimKey":"1462031","url":"/documents/20184/1415293/490-294-4339%20Beam-blog_0524.png/78ffc76c-cca6-e58d-1bad-0bd3dfbdbdfb?t=1715866995939","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="yhdnhvkw" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Beams rising over Tri-State Tollway (I-294) as work continues on interchange with new I-490 Tollway]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="ebnybtim" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="shqwrrvg" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Rows of shiny, steel beams rising over the central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) just south of O’Hare International Airport mark the latest phase of a massive Illinois Tollway project to build a new toll road that will provide western access for the airport.</p><p>The beams bridging the tollway as it passes through Franklin Park will carry a flyover ramp being built as part of the new I-490/I-294 Interchange that will connect the Tri-State Tollway (I-294) with the southern leg of the new I-490 Tollway.</p><p>The I-490 Tollway will provide a new connection between the Tri-State Tollway (I-294), the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) and the Illinois Route 390 Tollway, while also providing tor the first time western access in and out of O’Hare Airport. I-490 and the Illinois Route 390 Tollway are the major elements of a $4.3 billion Tollway project to improve travel in the western suburbs and provide a new access into and out of the airport.</p><p>The beams being erected over I-294 in May will carry a new flyover ramp connecting northbound I-294 to northbound I-490. Two towering cranes are on site to lift the beams—some measuring 165 feet long and weighing 30 tons—into place atop concrete piers supporting the ramp.</p><p>That work, which for safety reasons requires briefly stopping traffic in both directions on I-294, is being done overnight to minimize travel disruptions for Tollway customers.</p><p>After all 102 beams are bolted into place, crews will continue to build the ramp by pouring the concrete bridge decks and parapet walls. </p><p>Work on the nearby ramp connecting southbound I-490 to southbound I-294 largely has been completed. The interchange tentatively is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2026.</p><p>From the I-490/I-294 Interchange, the new I-490 Tollway will curl north through portions of the rail yard as it curves around the western edge of O’Hare Airport until it connects in Bensenville with the Illinois Route 390 Tollway. The road then will continue north until it connects with I-90 in Des Plaines.</p><p>I-490 is the first new road the Tollway has constructed since it opened the Illinois Route 390 Tollway in 2017.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="vezyexwm" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2024-05-16]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Beams rising over Tri-State Tollway I-294 as work continues on interchange with new I-490 Tollway
Display date: 2024-05-16
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="wtcumndg" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Experts Share Pioneering Innovations at IBTTA Technology Summit","name":"Catolico-Shea-IBTTA-blog_0524.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway Experts Share Pioneering Innovations at IBTTA Technology Summit","title":"Catolico-Shea-IBTTA-blog_0524.png","type":"document","uuid":"93120898-8d4e-ce12-dd46-44703f959357","fileEntryId":"1461773","resourcePrimKey":"1461794","url":"/documents/20184/1415293/Catolico-Shea-IBTTA-blog_0524.png/93120898-8d4e-ce12-dd46-44703f959357?t=1715805611357","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="ryauuhad" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Experts Share Pioneering Innovations at IBTTA Technology Summit","name":"Catolico-Shea-IBTTA-blog_0524.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway Experts Share Pioneering Innovations at IBTTA Technology Summit","title":"Catolico-Shea-IBTTA-blog_0524.png","type":"document","uuid":"93120898-8d4e-ce12-dd46-44703f959357","fileEntryId":"1461773","resourcePrimKey":"1461794","url":"/documents/20184/1415293/Catolico-Shea-IBTTA-blog_0524.png/93120898-8d4e-ce12-dd46-44703f959357?t=1715805611357","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="gfutpvin" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Experts Share Pioneering Innovations at IBTTA Technology Summit]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="sfgovmcm" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="utsboaiz" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Illinois Tollway leadership attended the prestigious Technology Summit hosted by the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association, sharing their technical expertise while also learning about best practices from other toll agencies and industry experts. <br /> <br />The annual summit serves as a pivotal gathering for more than 800 industry leaders with visionary minds to exchange insights on forward-thinking digital strategies, explore emerging trends and shape the future of cutting-edge technologies deployed in today’s tolling industry. <br /> <br />“We have some of the sharpest minds in the toll industry exploring technologies that enhance our service to customers,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. “We came ready to share our technological advancements with our industry peers and open to hearing from other industry leaders on the latest tolling technologies.” <br /> <br />The IBTTA Technology Summit showcases technological innovations and excellence that impact the tolling industry such as interoperability among the various toll agencies, artificial intelligence, automated vehicles, safety, electrification, mobility as a service and more. The summit, held earlier this May, focused on the theme “Advancing Global Tolling Solutions.”<br /> <br />Among the thought-leaders featured at the summit were Illinois Tollway Chief Information Officer Michael Shay and Chief of Business Systems Michael Catolico who addressed some of the key themes of the summit: artificial intelligence and use of data and analytics to improve customer experiences. <br /> <br />One focus of the summit was the emerging trend of artificial intelligence and the opportunities and challenges it presents for the toll industry. Sessions explored the impact of AI on customer service and roadside technologies for vehicle detection, axle counts and video-based tolling. <br /> <br />Other sessions offered a deep dive into the timely topic of cybersecurity, as well as data and analytics, “green” technologies, roadway safety, digital technologies in roadway operations and design and innovations in tolling technologies such as connected vehicle infrastructure and smart roads – subjects that are of great interest to the Illinois Tollway. <br /> <br />The IBTTA Technology Summit also included one unusual session: the Product Safety Shark Tank, where 10 innovative companies pitched their products. The audience had the opportunity to play the shark role, voting on one winner for the prize of IBTTA’s Most Innovative Product. The winner was Versilis, an Orlando-based highway safety firm, for its automated lane closure solution used for applications such as reversible lanes, bridge and tunnel approaches, flooded roadways and more. The system eliminates worker exposure to live traffic by replacing manual setup and dismantling of traffic cones. <br /> <br />Looking ahead, the Illinois Tollway remains committed to bringing thought leadership to the toll industry, serving as a catalyst for change, pushing the boundaries of innovation and spearheading transformative initiatives that will shape the future of tolling technology and, ultimately, better serve Tollway customers. </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="ckvleifs" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2024-05-15]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Experts Share Pioneering Innovations at IBTTA Technology Summit
Display date: 2024-05-15
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<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="srbltvgj" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Welcomes High School Students to Eye-Opening Tour Of I-490 Tollway Project and Bensenville Maintenance Facility ","name":"Schurz_blog.jpg","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway Welcomes High School Students to Eye-Opening Tour Of I-490 Tollway Project and Bensenville Maintenance Facility ","title":"Schurz_blog.jpg","type":"document","uuid":"42a0ae9b-a6ea-93f6-5ad7-a8ad79cb0dac","fileEntryId":"1458314","resourcePrimKey":"1458334","url":"/documents/20184/1415293/Schurz_blog.jpg/42a0ae9b-a6ea-93f6-5ad7-a8ad79cb0dac?t=1714656744559","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="usnphvrr" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Welcomes High School Students to Eye-Opening Tour Of I-490 Tollway Project and Bensenville Maintenance Facility ","name":"Schurz_blog.jpg","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway Welcomes High School Students to Eye-Opening Tour Of I-490 Tollway Project and Bensenville Maintenance Facility ","title":"Schurz_blog.jpg","type":"document","uuid":"42a0ae9b-a6ea-93f6-5ad7-a8ad79cb0dac","fileEntryId":"1458314","resourcePrimKey":"1458334","url":"/documents/20184/1415293/Schurz_blog.jpg/42a0ae9b-a6ea-93f6-5ad7-a8ad79cb0dac?t=1714656744559","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="tshzawsw" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Welcomes High School Students to Eye-Opening Tour Of I-490 Tollway Project and Bensenville Maintenance Facility]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="usdgrkhr" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="iuzhcpfu" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Providing high school students with hands-on experiences and exposure to real-world construction projects is paramount to building the pipeline of future engineering professionals, carpenters, electricians, and mechanics. <br /> <br />More than just a field trip, the Illinois Tollway's recent site visit for students at Schurz High School in Chicago serves as a catalyst for inspiring the next generation of transportation industry leaders.<br /> <br />“There is no better way to foster a sense of curiosity and stoke ambitions to pursue careers in transportation than by showing students the exciting, meaningful work we do every day,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. “By opening the doors to our facilities and project sites, we are investing in the education and empowerment of these young minds to not only cultivate a deeper understanding of transportation infrastructure, but also to nurture a pipeline of talent poised to pursue careers in the skilled trades and engineering profession.” <br /> <br />The Tollway hosted about 20 students from Schurz High School on April 30 for a boots-on-the-ground experience at its I-490 Tollway Project construction site – a project of regional and national significance – and its new, LEED-certified roadway maintenance site in Bensenville. The tour offered students a behind-the-scenes, close-up look at what it takes to build and maintain its roads and bridges. <br /> <br />One of the highlights of the tour was the chance for students to interact with industry professionals directly involved in the construction and maintenance of the Tollway. Engineers, project managers and maintenance personnel generously shared their expertise, offering students a glimpse into the diverse career opportunities available. These interactions served to inspire students to consider pursuing careers in fields related to civil engineering, construction, and the skilled trades.<br /> <br />The tour began at the Illinois Tollway’s maintenance facility in Bensenville, a nearly 96,000 facility designed to serve the roadway needs of the Illinois Route 390 Tollway and the new I-490 Tollway while demonstrating the Tollway’s commitment to environmental responsibility through the extensive use of sustainable features. <br /> <br />After an introduction to safety protocols and personal protection equipment, students learned about the meticulous efforts, heavy machinery and equipment required to ensure the safety and efficiency of existing roadways. Students gained a deeper appreciation for the behind-the-scenes work that keeps the Tollway functioning safely and smoothly, providing students with opportunities to create messages for the over-the-road dynamic message signs and experience driving with DUI and marijuana impairment goggles with Illinois State Police. <br /> <br />The tour moved to the I-490/IL 390 Interchange Project construction site, where students witnessed firsthand the complexities involved in building this vital roadway that will bring long-awaited direct access into and out of the west side of O’Hare International Airport. From observing heavy machinery in action to learning about the various stages of construction to seeing how the Tollway uses drone technology at the site, the experience provided valuable insights into the engineering marvels shaping the landscape of Illinois.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="cricazub" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2024-05-02]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Welcomes High School Students to Eye-Opening Tour Of I-490 Tollway Project and Bensenville Maintenance Facility
Display date: 2024-05-02
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="fuizhrdn" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Rockford maintenance site earns Illinois Tollway Extra Mile for Safety Award","name":"goextramile_blog.jpg","width":"","description":"Rockford maintenance site earns Illinois Tollway Extra Mile for Safety Award","title":"goextramile_blog.jpg","type":"document","uuid":"296c233c-b3bc-0905-cebd-66d366cd18c0","fileEntryId":"1457097","resourcePrimKey":"1457217","url":"/documents/20184/1415293/goextramile_blog.jpg/296c233c-b3bc-0905-cebd-66d366cd18c0?t=1714057916884","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="lzfcehcy" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Rockford maintenance site earns Illinois Tollway Extra Mile for Safety Award","name":"goextramile_blog.jpg","width":"","description":"Rockford maintenance site earns Illinois Tollway Extra Mile for Safety Award","title":"goextramile_blog.jpg","type":"document","uuid":"296c233c-b3bc-0905-cebd-66d366cd18c0","fileEntryId":"1457097","resourcePrimKey":"1457217","url":"/documents/20184/1415293/goextramile_blog.jpg/296c233c-b3bc-0905-cebd-66d366cd18c0?t=1714057916884","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="nhozjuef" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Rockford maintenance site earns Illinois Tollway Extra Mile for Safety Award]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="sjwtvrdj" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="kbhgzbye" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Illinois Tollway Maintenance Section Manager Brian Fuqua and Maintenance Section Supervisor Aaron Myers give staff at the Rockford (M-7) maintenance facility a lot of leeway in performing their duties as long as it can be done safely.<br /> <br />Equipment laborer operators are asked to provide their input on how to best get the work done, which could include picking up roadway debris, plowing snow, mowing grass or routine maintenance and repairs of electrical equipment, guardrails and fences in the section of the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) from around Genoa Road in Belvidere to near the Wisconsin state line. <br /> <br />“We let them come up with a game plan, but the first question we always ask is can you do it safely?” said Myers. <br /> <br />It’s that “safety-first” approach that helped the Rockford maintenance facility capture the 2023 Go the Extra Mile for Safety Award. Created in 2018, the annual safety performance award is presented to one of the Tollway’s 12 maintenance facilities that achieves the highest cumulative score based on three safety criteria: incident rate, Toolbox Safety Talks and positive feedback from managers and supervisors who observe and document outstanding safety practices. <br /> <br />“All our roadway maintenance staff do truly incredible work on our roadways,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. “Every day, these professionals rise to the many and varied challenges of maintaining our roadways while putting safety for themselves and their colleagues top of mind. Congratulations to M-7 for taking home the 2023 Go the Extra Mile for Safety Award.” <br /> <br />The Marengo (M-6) and Dixon (M-12) maintenance facilities both had zero injuries in 2023 – a remarkable accomplishment that helped place them second and third, respectively, in the rankings. <br /> <br />What set the Rockford maintenance facility apart in 2023 was the amount of positive feedback staff received for completing tasks safely. M-7, which previously won the award in 2020, recorded 52 instances of positive feedback, twice as much as any other m-site. Positive feedback not only rewards staff, but also reinforces safety performance on the job, said Fuqua. <br /> <br />“That injection of positivity tells our staff that we appreciate the work they do,” said Fuqua. “They put in long, hard hours and you need to pat them on the back and tell them we’re proud of you. Positive feedback goes a long way with these guys.” <br /> <br />In 2023, the Rockford maintenance facility also conducted 56 Toolbox Safety Talks, more than twice as many as the required 24 talks. Once a week, M-7 conducts training sessions on the operation and maintenance of various tools and equipment and discusses various situations maintenance crews might encounter on the roadway. Last year, training included greater emphasis on the safe operation of heavy roadway maintenance equipment such as snowplows, skid steers and dozers. <br /> <br />Toolbox Safety Talks are training resources available to maintenance facilities. Each month, the Tollway Security and Safety Department recommends safety topics for discussion. Topics include the three-contact rule for entering or exiting vehicles, back safety and proper handling of materials and tools such as chainsaws, woodchippers, lawnmowers, jackhammers, concrete saws and acetylene cutting torches. <br /> <br />It also includes watching and discussing the Protect Your Assets series of safety videos, which cover topics including roadway debris removal, proper lifting techniques and moving equipment. <br /> </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="bpemxkiw" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2024-04-25]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Rockford maintenance site earns Illinois Tollway Extra Mile for Safety Award
Display date: 2024-04-25
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="nitsxdxv" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Helps Small and Diverse Businesses Reach New Heights With Drone Training Workshop","name":"drone_blog.jpg","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway Helps Small and Diverse Businesses Reach New Heights With Drone Training Workshop","title":"drone_blog.jpg","type":"document","uuid":"db77b07a-8849-ac83-e9a8-0ec6afc08feb","fileEntryId":"1456683","resourcePrimKey":"1456803","url":"/documents/20184/1415293/drone_blog.jpg/db77b07a-8849-ac83-e9a8-0ec6afc08feb?t=1713963557799","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="egqzffly" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Helps Small and Diverse Businesses Reach New Heights With Drone Training Workshop","name":"drone_blog.jpg","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway Helps Small and Diverse Businesses Reach New Heights With Drone Training Workshop","title":"drone_blog.jpg","type":"document","uuid":"db77b07a-8849-ac83-e9a8-0ec6afc08feb","fileEntryId":"1456683","resourcePrimKey":"1456803","url":"/documents/20184/1415293/drone_blog.jpg/db77b07a-8849-ac83-e9a8-0ec6afc08feb?t=1713963557799","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="delqjelg" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Helps Small and Diverse Businesses Reach New Heights With Drone Training Workshop]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="xzelicqo" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="tvezglah" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>With drones becoming increasingly popular tools on construction projects, the Illinois Tollway partnered with software and equipment manufacturers to conduct a drone training workshop as part of the Tollway’s Emerging Technology initiative. <br /> <br />Approximately 70 representatives from small contractors and consultants turned out to learn about FAA regulations, Tollway specifications and contract provisions including allowances for purchasing drone equipment and software on select Small Business Initiative construction contracts.<br /> <br />“Drones are being used more frequently on Illinois Tollway construction projects because they provide numerous advantages and we need firms that are well-equipped to deploy drones at various stages of construction,” said Illinois Tollway Chief Engineering Officer Manar Nashif. “Not only do drones enhance productivity by making it easy to access hard-to-reach places, but they can also quickly capture a wealth of real-time aerial data that can help reduce costs and increase efficiencies to deliver projects on time and within budget.” <br /> <br />The Emerging Technology initiative is part of the Tollway’s Partnering for Growth Program, which is supported by the Department of Diversity and Strategic Development. The program encourages prime consultants and contractors to assist small, diverse and veteran-owned firms in remaining self-sufficient, competitive and profitable. As part of the initiative, larger firms and equipment manufacturers provide training on cutting-edge technologies that empowers small, diverse and veteran-owned firms to gain the necessary experience to pursue prime and subcontracting opportunities. Past training sessions include 3D modeling and CCTV camera installation. <br /> <br />The Tollway’s first-ever drone workshop covered and demonstrated various ways drones can be used on construction and maintenance projects, including communication and collaboration, site surveying, project documentation, inspections, monitoring and safety management. Experts in drone technology from SITECH Midway and Topcon Solutions discussed the purpose of drones in each of these applications and the benefits for contractors including cost and time savings and improved safety, communications and collaboration. The drone training workshop also offered guidance on how to get certified as a drone pilot. <br /> <br />Firms like Cotter Consulting that started using drones just a few years ago to take pretty aerial photos and videos are now using them for a wide range of applications including surveying, inspections and workflow progress monitoring. Cotter, a woman-owned project management firm based in Chicago, today employs four drone pilots. <br /> <br />Representatives from Cotter attended the workshop at Tollway headquarters in Downers Grove to learn more about the types of software the Tollway prefers to ensure it is using the same drone technologies. Cotter deployed a drone for inspections on the bridge over the Bensenville rail yard as part of the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Project, finding it safer and more efficient to use a drone than to send someone up 18 feet high on a scissor lift to do a visual inspection. <br /> <br />“In situations like that where inspections are difficult to get to, drones are definitely a useful tool,” said Cotter Consulting Senior Project Manager Jose Montesinos. “With the drone, it took us a day and half to inspect each of the 21 spans; without a drone, it would have taken a month or two depending on when Canadian National Railway would let us get in there to do the inspections.” <br /> <br />Tuskegee Drone Pilots Owner Antuan Barnes expressed interest in working with a larger firm on a Tollway project through the Tollway’s Partnering for Growth Program. The grandson of one of the Tuskegee Airmen, Barnes has had a lifelong passion for anything aviation-related. Since getting his drone pilot license two years ago, Barnes has grown his business from making virtual home tours for real estate agents to performing drone inspections on wind turbines, solar panels and communications towers. <br /> <br />“Drone technology is a big thing these days,” said Barnes. “I want to be ahead of the curve and be of use.”</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="dzjlvffk" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2024-04-24]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Helps Small and Diverse Businesses Reach New Heights With Drone Training Workshop
Display date: 2024-04-24
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="fnqmorew" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Every Day is Earth Day At The Illinois Tollway","name":"2024 Earth Day.png","width":"","description":"Every Day is Earth Day At The Illinois Tollway","title":"2024 Earth Day.png","type":"document","uuid":"5d2204fa-8a50-0400-1928-b0fd5c8bfaba","fileEntryId":"1456610","resourcePrimKey":"1456632","url":"/documents/20184/1415293/2024%20Earth%20Day.png/5d2204fa-8a50-0400-1928-b0fd5c8bfaba?t=1713905467717","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="ukoivjfs" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Every Day is Earth Day At The Illinois Tollway","name":"2024 Earth Day.png","width":"","description":"Every Day is Earth Day At The Illinois Tollway","title":"2024 Earth Day.png","type":"document","uuid":"5d2204fa-8a50-0400-1928-b0fd5c8bfaba","fileEntryId":"1456610","resourcePrimKey":"1456632","url":"/documents/20184/1415293/2024%20Earth%20Day.png/5d2204fa-8a50-0400-1928-b0fd5c8bfaba?t=1713905467717","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="fqxfveul" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Every Day is Earth Day At The Illinois Tollway]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="hydlbbog" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="ubeitjgx" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>In celebration of Earth Day, the Illinois Tollway recognizes the critical role sustainability plays in every aspect of our day-to-day operations. As part of our commitment to being a leader in sustainability, the Tollway performs and promotes a wide range of eco-friendly activities, including planting tens of thousands of trees across our system, restoring and improving hundreds of acres of wetlands and prairies, applying best management practices to reduce pollutants from stormwater runoff, building LEED-certified maintenance facilities and reusing and recycling tons of pavement materials while employing green technologies and innovations to build longer-lasting roads and bridges.</p><p>The Illinois Tollway is committed to serving as a responsible steward of the environment by building a cleaner, greener transportation system that will serve our customers for generations. Please see the video below to learn more about our environmental efforts.</p><p> </p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="table-layout: fixed; width: 600px;"><tbody><tr><td><p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/60pcp4QVeXk?si=x2lVFsQmiR0Z25sU" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen="" tabindex="0"></iframe></p></td></tr></tbody></table>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="vetrrvmx" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2024-04-23]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Every Day is Earth Day At The Illinois Tollway
Display date: 2024-04-23
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="suhybbzh" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Celebrates National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week","name":"Telecomm-week-blog_0423.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway Celebrates National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week","title":"Telecomm-week-blog_0423.png","type":"document","uuid":"421a85f1-8fac-d4f9-58d1-1baab16ea585","fileEntryId":"1454279","resourcePrimKey":"1454299","url":"/documents/20184/1415293/Telecomm-week-blog_0423.png/421a85f1-8fac-d4f9-58d1-1baab16ea585?t=1713363041706","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="kciadskt" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Celebrates National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week","name":"Telecomm-week-blog_0423.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway Celebrates National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week","title":"Telecomm-week-blog_0423.png","type":"document","uuid":"421a85f1-8fac-d4f9-58d1-1baab16ea585","fileEntryId":"1454279","resourcePrimKey":"1454299","url":"/documents/20184/1415293/Telecomm-week-blog_0423.png/421a85f1-8fac-d4f9-58d1-1baab16ea585?t=1713363041706","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="udjumhqu" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Celebrates National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="ueqdolli" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="lqsgydmp" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Illinois Tollway public safety telecommunicators are often called the “first” first responders. </p><p>They’re the ones who answer 911 calls for emergency assistance, making them a critical first point of contact when anyone is in urgent need on the Illinois Tollway. </p><p>“We are grateful to our outstanding team of public safety telecommunicators, who are vital to the Tollway’s mission to provide safe, efficient travel for customers,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. “Calm, confident and compassionate, they are the unsung heroes in headsets who serve as a fundamental link between motorists in need of assistance and our Roadway Maintenance crews, police officers, firefighters and paramedics in emergency situations.” </p><p>The Illinois Tollway each year recognizes and celebrates its telecommunicators for their important contributions to public safety on its roadways and in the communities it serves as part of National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, which runs this year on April 14-20. </p><p>Illinois Tollway Dispatch employs approximately 24 public safety telecommunicators and call takers responsible for providing reliable emergency communications 24/7/365 for Roadway Maintenance and other first responders. </p><p>Telecommunicators answer calls relayed from local 911 centers and work in close coordination with the Tollway Traffic Operations Center to communicate information to frontline responders. <br /> <br />Last year, Tollway telecommunicators handled more than 150,000 calls for assistance, from helping motorists involved in crashes, to medical situations to traffic stops and roadway maintenance. Tollway Dispatch handle calls from throughout the 12 counties the Tollway services, making it one of the busiest emergency dispatch centers in Illinois. </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="dlmivife" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2024-04-17]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Celebrates National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week
Display date: 2024-04-17
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="lfaewpbr" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Work zones are temporary - Actions behind the wheel can last forever","name":"WZS week-blog_0424.png","width":"","description":"Work zones are temporary - Actions behind the wheel can last forever","title":"WZS week-blog_0424.png","type":"document","uuid":"b94f2fa9-310f-9970-1885-ce6f88c6712f","fileEntryId":"1453939","resourcePrimKey":"1453959","url":"/documents/20184/1415293/WZS%20week-blog_0424.png/b94f2fa9-310f-9970-1885-ce6f88c6712f?t=1713273398907","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="ozmpnouv" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Work zones are temporary - Actions behind the wheel can last forever","name":"WZS week-blog_0424.png","width":"","description":"Work zones are temporary - Actions behind the wheel can last forever","title":"WZS week-blog_0424.png","type":"document","uuid":"b94f2fa9-310f-9970-1885-ce6f88c6712f","fileEntryId":"1453939","resourcePrimKey":"1453959","url":"/documents/20184/1415293/WZS%20week-blog_0424.png/b94f2fa9-310f-9970-1885-ce6f88c6712f?t=1713273398907","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="jkpcamdv" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Work zones are temporary. Actions behind the wheel can last forever.]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="ygmlboyw" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="gogedmqg" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>With another historic construction season underway in Illinois, the Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois State Police, Illinois Tollway, industry partners and frontline construction workers today teamed up for National Work Zone Awareness Week to remind the public that “Work zones are temporary. Actions behind the wheel can last forever.”<br /> <br />“Thanks to Gov. JB Pritzker’s Rebuild Illinois capital program, IDOT is enjoying some of its busiest and most productive construction seasons ever, resulting in hundreds of work zones across the state,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman. “If you’re traveling anywhere in Illinois, you will be traveling through a work zone at some point. Remember the people behind the cones and barricades. Reduce your speed, obey the signs and give them room to work. Having to spend a couple of extra minutes slowing down and driving cautiously through a work zone is a small price to make sure everyone gets home safely at the end of the day.” <br /> <br />The theme for this year’s National Work Zone Awareness Week is “Work zones are temporary. Actions behind the wheel can last forever,” reinforcing the message that while construction might be a temporary inconvenience, one mistake driving through it can result in the loss of life, yours included. When you approach a work zone, eliminate distractions, decrease your speed and proceed with caution. </p><p>To call attention to the heightened risks of work zones, Gov. Pritzker has proclaimed April 15-19 as “Work Zone Safety Awareness Week” in Illinois. <br /> <br />At all times, the public should be ready for lane closures, changes in traffic patterns, reduced speed limits and the presence of workers and equipment. To promote safety in the field this week, IDOT is once again holding “tailgate talks” among its staff to give workers refreshers on work zone protocol. <br /> <br />“Imagine going to work every day where you're just feet from cars speeding past at 75 or 85 miles an hour,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. “That's what highway maintainers, first responders and tow truck drivers face every day. Already in 2024, 12 ISP squad cars have been hit in ‘move over’ crashes. Pay attention in work zones so a temporary slowdown doesn't turn into a long-term loss.” </p><p>Each year, more than 6,000 motor vehicle crashes on average occur in Illinois work zones, resulting in more than 1,600 injuries. Preliminary statistics for 2023 show that 24 people died in work zones in Illinois, including one worker, a reminder that crashes in work zones generally have a much greater impact on drivers and their passengers. </p><p>“We’re committed to operating safe work zones and continually looking for ways to better protect everyone who uses our roads, but we can’t do it alone,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. “We’re urging our customers to help us by taking extra precautions in work zones, including slowing down and staying alert for workers and emergency responders. It takes all of us working together to keep our roads safe.”</p><p>The following guidelines for traveling through work zones should be followed at all times: </p><ul><li><strong>Drop it and drive</strong>. Phones and electronic devices down at all times – it’s the law. </li><li><strong>Obey the signs</strong>. They will help you safely navigate work zones – and sometimes avoid delays. </li><li><strong>Slow down</strong>. The posted speed limits are there for the safety of workers and you. </li><li><strong>Be on the lookout for slowed or stopped traffic</strong>. </li><li><strong>Consider the limitations of heavy equipment,</strong> trucks and commercial vehicles. Provide them extra distance to come to a complete stop if they are behind you.</li></ul><p>A work zone can take many forms: A maintenance crew patching potholes or collecting litter, a major interstate reconstruction, a minor repair on a neighborhood street or a utility company out in the field. If you see orange, slow down and save lives. </p><p>For additional facts, printable materials and information on IDOT projects this year in Illinois, visit <a target="_blank" href="https://idot.illinois.gov/travel-information/roadway-information/work-zones.html">idot.click/work-zones</a>. </p><p>Once again, IDOT is partnering with communities and businesses across the state to light buildings and bridges orange to commemorate the week. They include: Peoria’s Murray Baker Bridge, the Interstate 74 bridge in the Quad Cities, Rockford’s Morgan Street Bridge and City Hall as well as the building owners association in downtown Chicago. <br /> <br />On Friday, IDOT also is collaborating with the Laborers’ International Union of North America to distribute informational material at many of the state’s rest areas on how to keep you and your family safe traveling through work zones. </p><p>Work zone safety is another element of IDOT’s comprehensive multimedia campaign, “It’s Not a Game,” highlighting the fact that there are no extra lives, no respawns and no second chances to get it right with safety on the roads. Visit <a target="_blank" href="https://www.itsnotagameillinois.com/">itsnotagameillinois.com</a> for more information. </p><p>“The men and women fixing our streets, highways and bridges are among the most vulnerable road users because their jobs require them to be on foot near oncoming traffic,” said Federal Highway Administrator Shailen Bhatt. “We hope drivers stay alert so these mothers, fathers, sons and daughters who are America’s transportation heroes can do their jobs without incident and arrive home safely when their shift is over.”</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="hdstdjtq" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2024-04-16]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Work zones are temporary - Actions behind the wheel can last forever
Display date: 2024-04-16
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="losuhtau" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Announces Stakeholder Advisory Team","name":"SAT Member announcement blog.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway Announces Stakeholder Advisory Team","title":"SAT Member announcement blog.png","type":"document","uuid":"ca785a0f-f7d3-e96c-af1f-1b55bcccd4c7","fileEntryId":"1452535","resourcePrimKey":"1452559","url":"/documents/20184/1415293/SAT%20Member%20announcement%20blog.png/ca785a0f-f7d3-e96c-af1f-1b55bcccd4c7?t=1712855365135","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="hprvrxce" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Announces Stakeholder Advisory Team","name":"SAT Member announcement blog.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway Announces Stakeholder Advisory Team","title":"SAT Member announcement blog.png","type":"document","uuid":"ca785a0f-f7d3-e96c-af1f-1b55bcccd4c7","fileEntryId":"1452535","resourcePrimKey":"1452559","url":"/documents/20184/1415293/SAT%20Member%20announcement%20blog.png/ca785a0f-f7d3-e96c-af1f-1b55bcccd4c7?t=1712855365135","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="djthzidi" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Announces Stakeholder Advisory Team]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="wkbmxkrj" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="vxafhepp" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse today announced the creation of a Stakeholder Advisory Team responsible for advising and providing recommendations to the agency as it develops the next capital plan and provide a framework to advance its long-term capital priorities. The next capital plan will build off the successes of the ongoing Move Illinois Capital Program and continue investments in the region.</p><p>The SAT is comprised of leaders representing non-profit, civic, business, labor, environmental, transportation and advocacy organizations representing the 12-county region. The SAT members will help the Tollway define program goals, provide guidance and regional input on the scope and impact of the next long-term capital plan.</p><p>“The Stakeholder Advisory Team brings together leaders that share our desire to create a historic capital plan that identifies creative and innovative solutions to support the needs of communities across the region,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “In order to take full advantage of the experience and capabilities of this advisory team, it is vital that the Tollway listens to a wide range of ideas, elicits feedback, builds support and develops an impactful program with strong regional consensus.”</p><p>The SAT will kick off activities this month, as part of the Tollway’s ongoing engagement efforts with internal and external stakeholders.</p><p>“As we work with our partners, our board and this SAT committee, together we have a transformative opportunity to further enhance regional mobility and economic opportunities in the next capital plan,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. “I am committed to working with our stakeholders to provide forward-thinking solutions as we envision our future, our infrastructure, our investments and our transportation network.”</p><p>The SAT will focus on advancing the Governor’s four guiding principles of innovation, equitable economic development, diversity and inclusion and sustainability within the next capital plan. Over the next several months, the SAT will develop a report with a series of recommendations for the next capital plan, alongside continued engagement with the public and other stakeholder groups. The Tollway Board’s Strategic Planning Committee will review the recommendations, select projects and develop a proposed budget for consideration by the full Board. </p><p>“We are challenging the SAT to help bring together diverse voices and drive strategic investments in our region’s future,” said Rouse. “Our collective vision provides a transformative opportunity to position the Tollway as a solutions-oriented agency that drives economic growth and builds an equitable region for us all.”</p><p>“On behalf of the Strategic Planning Committee of the Tollway Board of Directors, we fully support the efforts by Tollway leadership to engage a wide range of experts, key stakeholders and agency partners to develop the best possible plan to guide the Tollway,” said Scott Paddock, Illinois Tollway Board Member and Chair of the Strategic Planning Committee. “Our goal is to approve a plan that invests in the future of the region.”</p><p>Members of the SAT include:<br />• Nick Jarmusz, AAA – The Auto Club Group<br />• Kevin Artl, American Council of Engineering Companies<br />• Kareem Broughton, Black Contractors United<br />• Arielle Johnson, Business Leadership Council<br />• Nina Idemudia, Center for Neighborhood Technology<br />• George Wright, Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership<br />• Robert Reiter, Jr., Chicago Federation of Labor<br />• Dr. Lisa Bly-Jones, Chicago Jobs Council<br />• Erin Aleman, Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning<br />• Debra Jennings-Johnson, Chicago Minority Supplier Development Council<br />• Karen Freeman-Wilson, Chicago Urban League<br />• Mike Macellaio, Chicago & Cook County Building & Construction Trades Council<br />• Jack Lavin, Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce<br />• Rich Gamble, Choose Chicago<br />• Gil Quiniones, ComEd<br />• Tom Kotarac, Commercial Club of Chicago<br />• Dorval Carter, Jr. Chicago Transit Authority <br />• Dr. Jerry Bell, Jr., Elite SDVOB Network<br />• Becky Knox, EVBox<br />• Cindy Gustafson, Federation of Women Contractors<br />• Ivan Solis, Hispanic American Construction Industry Association<br />• Megha Lakhchaura, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency<br />• Jaime di Paulo, Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce<br />• Eric Varela, Illinois International Port District <br />• Mark Denzler, Illinois Manufacturers Association<br />• Brad Cole, Illinois Municipal League<br />• Tim Butler, Illinois Railroad Association<br />• Mike Sturino, Illinois Road and Transportation Builders Association <br />• Larry Ivory, Illinois State Black Chamber of Commerce<br />• Matt Hart, Illinois Trucking Association <br />• Caroline Portlock, Illinois Workforce Partnership<br />• Dan Seals, Intersect Illinois<br />• Kevin Considine, Lake County Partners<br />• Brian Robb, Lion Electric<br />• Jim Derwinski, Metra<br />• Chris Conley, Metropolitan Planning Council<br />• Jill Koski, Morton Arboretum<br />• Wendell Dallas, Nicor<br />• Michael Davidson, Openlands<br />• Melinda Metzger, Pace Suburban Bus<br />• Leanne Redden, Regional Transportation Authority<br />• Michael Dunn, Rockford Metropolitan Area Planning Organization<br />• Dorri McWhorter, YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago</p><p>Learn more about the planning process for the next capital plan <a target="_blank" href="/future">here</a>.</p><p><strong>About the Illinois Tollway</strong><br />The Illinois Tollway is a user-fee system that receives no state or federal funds for maintenance and operations. The agency maintains and operates 294 miles of roadways in 12 counties in Northern Illinois, including the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355), the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80) and the Illinois Route 390 Tollway.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="kqlkwckx" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2024-04-11]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Announces Stakeholder Advisory Team
Display date: 2024-04-11
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="dqxtsham" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"The Illinois Tollway celebrates the pioneering career of Roz Varon","name":"CR SM Roz Varon retirement.png","width":"","description":"The Illinois Tollway celebrates the pioneering career of Roz Varon","title":"CR SM Roz Varon retirement.png","type":"document","uuid":"c543ae8b-6971-c25e-be33-8b1c07f04150","fileEntryId":"1450991","resourcePrimKey":"1451011","url":"/documents/20184/1415293/CR%20SM%20Roz%20Varon%20retirement.png/c543ae8b-6971-c25e-be33-8b1c07f04150?t=1712352270825","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="bsfpthfy" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"The Illinois Tollway celebrates the pioneering career of Roz Varon","name":"CR SM Roz Varon retirement.png","width":"","description":"The Illinois Tollway celebrates the pioneering career of Roz Varon","title":"CR SM Roz Varon retirement.png","type":"document","uuid":"c543ae8b-6971-c25e-be33-8b1c07f04150","fileEntryId":"1450991","resourcePrimKey":"1451011","url":"/documents/20184/1415293/CR%20SM%20Roz%20Varon%20retirement.png/c543ae8b-6971-c25e-be33-8b1c07f04150?t=1712352270825","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="oputlomn" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[The Illinois Tollway celebrates the pioneering career of Roz Varon]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="xpgjbydc" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="scbvktli" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Roz Varon, Chicago’s first morning news TV traffic reporter, is bidding farewell after an impressive 35 years at ABC7. Notably, she holds the distinction of being Chicago’s first TV traffic reporter on the morning news and one of the earliest TV traffic reporters in the country.<br /> <br />Throughout her remarkable career, Roz’s expertise and connection with viewers have made her the go-to source for traffic and transportation updates. She’s adept at helping Chicagoans avoid jams and navigate their way through the city’s bustling streets. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Roz is also a stage 4 breast cancer survivor and a passionate advocate in the fight against breast cancer. Her pioneering efforts on the traffic beat have paved the way for others, both in Chicago and across the nation.<br /> <br />Her accolades include multiple Emmy Awards in traffic reporting, specialty programming, spot news, and features. She’s also been honored with several Peter Lisagor Awards and recognized by the Girl Scouts of the USA with their Thanks Badge. As a breast cancer survivor, Roz actively promotes cancer prevention and awareness and serves as an in-demand motivational speaker. Her love for animals extends to volunteering at the Anti-Cruelty Society.<br /> <br />Roz Varon’s retirement marks the end of an era, and her impact on Chicago’s news landscape will be remembered for years to come. The Illinois Tollway and Illinois Department of Transportation applaud Roz as she puts an exclamation point on an outstanding career, and we wish her all the best in her well-deserved retirement!</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="desrckds" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2024-04-05]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
The Illinois Tollway celebrates the pioneering career of Roz Varon
Display date: 2024-04-05
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="sczfgeng" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway partners with Olive-Harvey College to encourage students to consider Tollway careers","name":"Trade _blog.jpg","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway partners with Olive-Harvey College to encourage students to consider Tollway careers","title":"Trade _blog.jpg","type":"document","uuid":"cbf046dc-b4e9-5cfd-3cd1-ff4d8397a394","fileEntryId":"1446259","resourcePrimKey":"1446290","url":"/documents/20184/1415293/Trade%20_blog.jpg/cbf046dc-b4e9-5cfd-3cd1-ff4d8397a394?t=1711555750605","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="rkvnrgaq" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway partners with Olive-Harvey College to encourage students to consider Tollway careers","name":"Trade _blog.jpg","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway partners with Olive-Harvey College to encourage students to consider Tollway careers","title":"Trade _blog.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"0b519647-d201-6812-3c04-266a0c4275a7","fileEntryId":"1446292","resourcePrimKey":"1446290","url":"/documents/924058/1446291/Trade%20_blog.jpg/0b519647-d201-6812-3c04-266a0c4275a7?t=1711555849019","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="eiqzzllw" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway partners with Olive-Harvey College to encourage students to consider Tollway careers]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="alemgpry" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="oedtzyzg" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway’s Alsip M-1 maintenance site staff recently opened their doors to students from Olive-Harvey College to introduce them to career opportunities offered by the Tollway and the transportation industry.<br /> <br />Students enrolled in the Automotive Technology Program at the South Side college along with faculty members toured the Tollway’s state-of-the-art roadway maintenance site to better understand the work done by the mechanics, equipment-operator/laborers and other staffers responsible for roadway services and maintain on the southern leg of the Tri-State Tollway (I-294/I-80).<br /> <br />“We want to create a mutually beneficial pathway that educates students about the skills and training needed to qualify for positions at the Tollway while also furthering our goal of hiring more qualified applicants to strengthen our workforce,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. “This outreach helps us build a pipeline of potential applicants from local institutions and neighboring communities to raise awareness of the careers available at the Tollway.”<br /> <br />Tollway staff on site shared details about their work and skills needed on the job and offered information on opportunities available for careers in the technical trades with the Tollway at its maintenance sites and in different agency locations. The vocational training the students are receiving could help qualify them to work at Tollway maintenance sites as mechanics, equipment operator/laborers—who drive plows and operate other heavy roadway equipment—automotive attendants or parts clerks.<br /> <br />Technical training in electrical and mechanical fields also could assist students seeking to work in the Tollway’s building maintenance section, which installs, maintains and repairs electrical equipment and other building systems at Tollway oases and other facilities.<br /> <br />Outreach is intended to introduce students in vocational and technical programs from around the Chicago area to the crucial roadway operations performed at the Tollway’s maintenance sites and give them a close-up look at the equipment needed to carry out that work and an opportunity to speak with Tollway employees about their duties and responsibilities.<br /> <br />The agency operates 12 maintenance sites located across its 294-mile roadway system that house staff and equipment, including plows, Highway Emergency Lane Patrol (H.E.L.P.) trucks, maintenance trucks and other heavy equipment needed to assist and protect Tollway customers and keep roads in good operating condition.<br /> <br />The Tollway’s goal is to highlight the career opportunities and inform students about the requirements needed to fill those jobs—as well as providing information about applying for those positions. Students received tips on going through the application process and information about assistance provided by the Tollway, including help for students working to obtain their commercial drivers licenses.<br /> <br />Career education and outreach serve as an additional step in helping increase the diversity of candidates applying for Tollway positions, as well as another step to encourage applicants to seek jobs at sites that have positions open.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="hrukepep" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2024-03-27]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway partners with Olive-Harvey College to encourage students to consider Tollway careers
Display date: 2024-03-27
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="grurhmqk" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway expanding its Job Order Contracting Program creating more opportunities for small and diverse businesses","name":"JOC _blog.jpg","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway expanding its Job Order Contracting Program creating more opportunities for small and diverse businesses","title":"JOC _blog.jpg","type":"document","uuid":"a9962159-455c-7709-cc03-b76743c5dce3","fileEntryId":"1444480","resourcePrimKey":"1444500","url":"/documents/20184/1415293/JOC%20_blog.jpg/a9962159-455c-7709-cc03-b76743c5dce3?t=1711026785563","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="mzxfdvgi" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway expanding its Job Order Contracting Program creating more opportunities for small and diverse businesses","name":"JOC _blog.jpg","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway expanding its Job Order Contracting Program creating more opportunities for small and diverse businesses","title":"JOC _blog.jpg","type":"document","uuid":"a9962159-455c-7709-cc03-b76743c5dce3","fileEntryId":"1444480","resourcePrimKey":"1444500","url":"/documents/20184/1415293/JOC%20_blog.jpg/a9962159-455c-7709-cc03-b76743c5dce3?t=1711026785563","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="xetvlifz" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway expanding its Job Order Contracting Program, creating more opportunities for small and diverse businesses]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="jrukbune" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="zaxgpgdi" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway is expanding its successful Job Order Contracting Program, including creating a new component that provides more opportunities for smaller firms to take on construction and repair work for the agency.<br /> <br />The new Small Business Initiative levels the playing field for smaller businesses, allowing them to serve as general contractors handling construction projects costing less than $100,000. Small businesses winning contracts can serve general contractor handling those smaller-scale projects across all or part of the Tollway system.<br /> <br />Contracts for the small business portion of the JOC Program are expected to be awarded later this year.<br /> <br />The Job Order Contracting Program enables the Tollway to complete a large number of facility repairs and individual projects with a single, competitively bid contract, eliminating the additional time and expense of requiring bids and separate contracts for each project.<br /> <br />General contractors competitively bid from a catalog of construction tasks, which rely on pre-set unit prices based on regional market costs. This method of bidding helps the Tollway hold down costs and shortens the time needed to complete a project, while still maintaining quality control over the work and supporting the local construction industry.<br /> <br />Most JOC prime contractors often utilize sub-contractors to carry out some portion of the work in each contract, providing additional small and diverse firms with the opportunity to take part in Tollway projects. With the experience and knowledge they gain working as subcontractors on these projects, small and diverse firms also increase their opportunities to work as prime contractors on future Tollway projects.<br /> <br />Since the Tollway launched the JOC Program seven years ago, more than 1,000 job orders have been completed by contractors participating in that initiative.<br /> <br />Earlier this year, the Tollway awarded eleven new contracts to firms participating in other portions of the JOC program, including handling urgent pavement and guardrail repairs on the Tollway’s roads, making interior and exterior improvements on Tollway buildings, and working on a range of mechanical, electrical, plumbing projects at Tollway facilities. The total value of work included in those contracts is about $38.5 million. <br /> <br />Each of the projects in those contracts costs at least $100,000. <br /> <br />Nearly 70 representatives from more than 40 small businesses attended a recent Tollway even to learn about opportunities to take on work being done in the JOC Program and to meet prime contractors handling some of those projects.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="lsuoumsh" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2024-03-21]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway expanding its Job Order Contracting Program creating more opportunities for small and diverse businesses
Display date: 2024-03-21
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="ztihxrtp" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"HACIA Celebrates Illinois Tollway As Its 2024 Agency of the Year","name":"HACIA-AgencyoftheYear-blog-0324.png","width":"","description":"HACIA Celebrates Illinois Tollway As Its 2024 Agency of the Year","title":"HACIA-AgencyoftheYear-blog-0324.png","type":"document","uuid":"d4824830-7da1-348a-2148-9a1f93602c08","fileEntryId":"1442411","resourcePrimKey":"1442431","url":"/documents/20184/1415293/HACIA-AgencyoftheYear-blog-0324.png/d4824830-7da1-348a-2148-9a1f93602c08?t=1710354296376","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="rvtrdmki" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"HACIA Celebrates Illinois Tollway As Its 2024 Agency of the Year","name":"HACIA-AgencyoftheYear-blog-0324.png","width":"","description":"HACIA Celebrates Illinois Tollway As Its 2024 Agency of the Year","title":"HACIA-AgencyoftheYear-blog-0324.png","type":"document","uuid":"d4824830-7da1-348a-2148-9a1f93602c08","fileEntryId":"1442411","resourcePrimKey":"1442431","url":"/documents/20184/1415293/HACIA-AgencyoftheYear-blog-0324.png/d4824830-7da1-348a-2148-9a1f93602c08?t=1710354296376","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="ohdptpri" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[HACIA Celebrates Illinois Tollway As Its 2024 Agency of the Year]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="pnsvcauh" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="vufyzwam" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway is honored to be named 2024 Agency of the Year by the Hispanic American Industry Association (HACIA) for its commendable leadership. <br /> <br />The HACIA Agency of the Year Award recognizes state and local government agencies that have worked in collaboration with HACIA to support the growth and success of the Chicago-area construction industry while demonstrating a proven track record of providing opportunities for small, diverse and veteran-owned firms. <br /> <br />“This award acknowledges the innovative and impactful work undertaken by the Tollway, which has made a significant contribution to diverse businesses and the regional economy,” HACIA said. “With its promptness in completing projects and ability to deliver innovative projects, the Tollway has set the industry's standard.”<br /> <br />The annual HACIA awards celebrate the successes and achievements in the transportation industry. This year’s theme was “Building a Thriving Industry Together” <br /> <br />“The Illinois Tollway is committed to excellence in everything we do and we look forward to continue working together with our industry partners to deliver great work,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. <br /> <br />HACIA works to ensure the equitable participation of Hispanics in the construction industry, while also promoting the growth, quality of work, professionalism and integrity of Hispanic individuals and businesses.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="vjnqatrx" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2024-03-13]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
HACIA Celebrates Illinois Tollway As Its 2024 Agency of the Year
Display date: 2024-03-13
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="wcxuzhgu" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Past Illinois Tollway Interns Share Their Experiences","name":"INTERNS_BLOG.jpg","width":"","description":"Past Illinois Tollway Interns Share Their Experiences","title":"INTERNS_BLOG.jpg","type":"document","uuid":"fc6f90f2-4144-1490-e1d8-b728153e100f","fileEntryId":"1441013","resourcePrimKey":"1441033","url":"/documents/20184/1415293/INTERNS_BLOG.jpg/fc6f90f2-4144-1490-e1d8-b728153e100f?t=1709910624404","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="lwbceqms" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Past Illinois Tollway Interns Share Their Experiences","name":"INTERNS_BLOG.jpg","width":"","description":"Past Illinois Tollway Interns Share Their Experiences","title":"INTERNS_BLOG.jpg","type":"document","uuid":"fc6f90f2-4144-1490-e1d8-b728153e100f","fileEntryId":"1441013","resourcePrimKey":"1441033","url":"/documents/20184/1415293/INTERNS_BLOG.jpg/fc6f90f2-4144-1490-e1d8-b728153e100f?t=1709910624404","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="oeyqixsa" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Past Illinois Tollway Interns Share Their Experiences]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="mvfhfdsi" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="jmdukbbr" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway is inviting college students to apply for its 2024 Internship Program with opportunities to learn firsthand about engineering, information technology, finance, communications and many more professional careers in the transportation industry. Eligible students can apply online on the Tollway’s <a target="_blank" href="http://www.illinoistollway.com/about/careers">website</a> through March 31.<br /> <br />The Tollway’s internships pay $17/hour and include an annual summer Professional Services Internship that offers students an opportunity to work with assigned mentors to develop and apply new professional skills. <br /> <br />Additionally, year-long Engineering Cooperative Education Internships are available to provide engineering students with a collaborative learning experience that enables them to use their academic knowledge while they work on specific construction projects under the guidance of Illinois Tollway engineering project managers.<br /> <br />We asked past Illinois Tollway interns for their thoughts on the internship program. <br /> <br /><strong>Q: How did the internship help you advance your career goals? </strong><br /> <br />Paige Smart, Illinois State University: It definitely provided me a more structured idea of what my goals should look like. I thought before, “I want eventually to have a good job.” But now I know what my interests are. <br /> <br /><strong>Q: What is the culture like for interns at the Illinois Tollway? </strong><br /> <br />Lluvia Hernandez-Aguirre, Governors State University: There are a whole bunch of people from all over the organization that are more than willing to help you, to push you to learn different things you want to learn. This is a very supportive, positive and very helpful group here. <br /> <br /><strong>Q: Did you gain any new skills through the internship?</strong><br /> <br />Drew Shadle, Illinois State University: Before coming in, I was very reserved. I didn’t have much experience doing anything business-wise, talking in front of people in a business setting, kind of getting comfortable exactly what to do, what to say, what to not say in a work environment. They kind of gave me the confidence to understand exactly how to flow in a business setting. <br /> <br /><strong>Q: How did this internship help you as a future transportation industry professional?</strong> <br /> <br />Tisa Patel, University of Illinois Chicago: Really helped me get my foot into the engineering field and meet a bunch of new people. I think this is a great start for my first internship. So, I’m really excited to see what happens next. <br /> <br />Students interested in learning more about the Illinois Tollway Internship Program can sign up for a live online information session on Wednesday, March 13, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., or view a recording of the session in the Careers section on the Tollway’s website. <br /> </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="zsniguer" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2024-03-08]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Past Illinois Tollway Interns Share Their Experiences
Display date: 2024-03-08
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="yxgeercz" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"ACEC Illinois Recognizes Illinois Tollway Projects for Engineering Excellence","name":"ACEC Gala-blog2_0224.jpg","width":"","description":"ACEC Illinois Recognizes Illinois Tollway Projects for Engineering Excellence","title":"ACEC Gala-blog2_0224.jpg","type":"document","uuid":"39a95267-e428-23fb-13ba-3aed7c3408d4","fileEntryId":"1437516","resourcePrimKey":"1437541","url":"/documents/20184/1415293/ACEC%20Gala-blog2_0224.jpg/39a95267-e428-23fb-13ba-3aed7c3408d4?t=1709218581028","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="rdgizioq" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"ACEC Illinois Recognizes Illinois Tollway Projects for Engineering Excellence","name":"ACEC Gala-blog2_0224.jpg","width":"","description":"ACEC Illinois Recognizes Illinois Tollway Projects for Engineering Excellence","title":"ACEC Gala-blog2_0224.jpg","type":"document","uuid":"39a95267-e428-23fb-13ba-3aed7c3408d4","fileEntryId":"1437516","resourcePrimKey":"1437541","url":"/documents/20184/1415293/ACEC%20Gala-blog2_0224.jpg/39a95267-e428-23fb-13ba-3aed7c3408d4?t=1709218581028","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="waqyclin" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[ACEC Illinois Recognizes Illinois Tollway Projects for Engineering Excellence]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="wnifgzlh" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="nynvufom" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Mile Long Bridge Project on the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) has been voted the best transportation infrastructure project in Illinois through online voting for the Engineering Works Award by the state engineering community and general public. <br /> <br />It’s is one of several honors Illinois Tollway projects and its engineering teams received at the American Council of Engineering Companies of Illinois’s annual Engineering Excellence Awards Gala in Rosemont. <br /> <br />“The Mile Long Bridge Project and our new, LEED-certified maintenance facilities in Aurora and Bensenville – and the engineering teams behind them – were deservingly recognized for outstanding engineering achievement,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. “These Tollway projects demonstrate the effective application of engineering techniques, technologies and innovation that make a positive impact for Tollway customers and the communities we serve.”<br /> <br />Each year, ACEC Illinois honors projects of engineering achievement by Illinois consulting engineering firms. Projects are judged based on engineering excellence, the degree to which the client’s needs are met and the benefits to the public welfare and private practice of engineering. This year, ACEC Illinois presented a total of 38 awards – 18 Merit Awards, 11 Honor Awards and nine Special Achievement Awards. <br /> <br />The Engineering Works Award allows the state engineering community and general public to vote online for the most innovative and groundbreaking project. Voters were asked to consider the aesthetics, design, construction excellence and the social and economic impact of the 11 projects nominated. This year’s competition attracted more than 2,000 votes. <br /> <br />In addition to earning the Engineering Excellence Award, the Mile Long Bridge Project also received an Honor Award, which recognizes projects for exceptional engineering that meet the needs of the client and benefit the public welfare. The $500 million project serves as a crucial transportation route on the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294). It includes two side-by-side bridges that span two railroads, three waterways, local roads and major UPS and Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway distribution centers, as well as sustainable considerations, active traffic management and flex lanes to serve various safety needs. <br /> <br />The engineering team worked closely together and in collaboration with the Illinois Tollway throughout design and construction to deliver an exceptional project on time and within budget. As designer and engineer of record, H.W. Lochner, HDR Engineering and Quigg Engineering (LHQ) developed the concept and contract plans, specifications and estimates for the recommended design. The implementation and follow-through on the delivery of the Mile Long Bridge Project was entrusted to Bowman Consulting Group, which served as the construction manager.<br /> <br />The new Illinois Tollway maintenance facilities in Aurora and Bensenville together also received a Merit Award, which is given for projects worthy of recognition of the engineer and the owner/client for achieving engineering excellence.<br /> <br />The team of Gonzalez Companies (f/k/a ESI Consultants), Ardmore Roderick and A. Epstein & Sons International provided construction management and engineering for two new maintenance facilities. <br /> <br />The team successfully managed all aspects of the building and site construction for the Aurora facility, which is a 100,000-square-foot maintenance building with a salt barn and truck wash, and the Bensenville facility, which is a 98,000-square-foot maintenance building and salt storage dome. Both facilities house a vehicle maintenance workshop, storage garage, support offices and maintenance supply storage. Both facilities achieved LEED Silver Certification for design, construction and operational sustainability.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="kfdfeaze" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2024-02-29]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
ACEC Illinois Recognizes Illinois Tollway Projects for Engineering Excellence
Display date: 2024-02-29
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<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="izalsdsb" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Plays Key Leadership Role in Global Tolling Industry ","name":"20230227 IBTTA Toll Academy-blog.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway Plays Key Leadership Role in Global Tolling Industry ","title":"20230227 IBTTA Toll Academy-blog.png","type":"document","uuid":"5063eb69-4668-03b4-5e6c-669e3dde5254","fileEntryId":"1436844","resourcePrimKey":"1436869","url":"/documents/20184/1415293/20230227%20IBTTA%20Toll%20Academy-blog.png/5063eb69-4668-03b4-5e6c-669e3dde5254?t=1709045685768","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="jtqohhdf" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Plays Key Leadership Role in Global Tolling Industry ","name":"20230227 IBTTA Toll Academy-blog.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway Plays Key Leadership Role in Global Tolling Industry ","title":"20230227 IBTTA Toll Academy-blog.png","type":"document","uuid":"5063eb69-4668-03b4-5e6c-669e3dde5254","fileEntryId":"1436844","resourcePrimKey":"1436869","url":"/documents/20184/1415293/20230227%20IBTTA%20Toll%20Academy-blog.png/5063eb69-4668-03b4-5e6c-669e3dde5254?t=1709045685768","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="iuhdswob" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Plays Key Leadership Role in Global Tolling Industry]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="ngijyjqd" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="pkbqtbxg" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway is taking a greater leadership role in the worldwide tolling industry while developing the next generation of leaders. <br /> <br />Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse shared her insights on the tolling industry with a group of nearly 40 emerging toll industry professionals as part of the annual IBTTA Leadership Academy. This year’s theme was, “Building Your Future Together.” <br /> <br />“The IBTTA Leadership Academy provides a great opportunity for industry leaders to help senior-level managers hone their leadership skills, gain more knowledge about the industry and expand their network of industry peers,” said Rouse. “The Illinois Tollway has a deeply talented bench and I’m excited to have this opportunity to help develop our next generation of leadership.” <br /> <br />Rouse was part of an Executive Workshop panel discussion and roundtable with chief executive officers from the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, Richmond Transportation Authority and Elizabeth River Crossings in Virginia. Each executive went around to smaller groups of participants to discuss the challenges and priorities for toll agency leadership. <br /> <br />The IBTTA Leadership Academy Class of 2024 includes Illinois Tollway General Manager of Contract Management Gilletta Stewart, who has been with the agency since 2005. She came highly recommended by Tollway leadership for the opportunity to develop her leadership skills and style through the course. <br /> <br />Stewart, who has been in Business Systems her entire career with the Tollway, said she found the program to be a transformative growth experience that has given her a fresh perspective and renewed curiosity on ways to innovate and expand on Tollway projects. <br /> <br />She also was inspired to learn how the Illinois Tollway is well-admired and respected among its peers. <br /> <br />“Other toll agencies look to us as a leader in the industry,” said Stewart. “Hearing it from other agencies made me proud to be with the Illinois Tollway.”<br /> <br />The IBTTA Leadership Academy is a rigorous week-long executive development program tailored specifically for senior-level managers in public- and private-sector organizations that serve the toll industry. Nearly 475 toll industry professionals have graduated from the program since it started in 2008. </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="oqyabagg" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2024-02-27]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Plays Key Leadership Role in Global Tolling Industry
Display date: 2024-02-27
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<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="nmiwwonk" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Approval of Resolution 22805 recognizing Illinois Engineering Week and National Engineers Week","name":"BoardEngineers-blog_0224.png","width":"","description":"Approval of Resolution 22805 recognizing Illinois Engineering Week and National Engineers Week","title":"BoardEngineers-blog_0224.png","type":"document","uuid":"8cd8d7af-d0f6-98ab-37d4-0d315478478b","fileEntryId":"1435752","resourcePrimKey":"1435777","url":"/documents/20184/1415293/BoardEngineers-blog_0224.png/8cd8d7af-d0f6-98ab-37d4-0d315478478b?t=1708707218002","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="yidvbnmz" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Approval of Resolution 22805 recognizing Illinois Engineering Week and National Engineers Week","name":"BoardEngineers-blog_0224.png","width":"","description":"Approval of Resolution 22805 recognizing Illinois Engineering Week and National Engineers Week","title":"BoardEngineers-blog_0224.png","type":"document","uuid":"8cd8d7af-d0f6-98ab-37d4-0d315478478b","fileEntryId":"1435752","resourcePrimKey":"1435777","url":"/documents/20184/1415293/BoardEngineers-blog_0224.png/8cd8d7af-d0f6-98ab-37d4-0d315478478b?t=1708707218002","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="bsxlrkia" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Approval of Resolution 22805 recognizing Illinois Engineering Week and National Engineers Week]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="tyrvveoc" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="ktdyrvrx" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p><strong>Background</strong><br />Engineers at The Illinois State Toll Highway Authority (“Tollway”) work to improve the region’s evolving transportation infrastructure, increase safety and promote the regional economy by collaborating with regional transportation entities, fostering environmental responsibility and sustainability, maintaining the safety and efficiency of the Tollway system and furthering improvements to the regional transportation network through the Tollway’s 16-year, $15.2 billion capital program, Move Illinois. </p><p>Since launching the Move Illinois program in 2012, the Tollway has committed or invested $12.6 billion in infrastructure improvements utilizing the expertise of engineers in construction, design and inspection services to implement and deliver the largest capital program in agency history while also mentoring the next generation of engineers through student learning opportunities, including but not limited to career days and mentorship programs.</p><p>Completion in 2023 of 87 contracts and the investment of $1.4 billion, which includes construction, design and inspection services, providing access to jobs, and facilitating long-term community growth throughout Illinois, would not have been possible without the contributions of the Tollway’s approximately 20 valued engineers. </p><p>For these reasons, the Tollway proudly joins the nation in celebrating National Engineers Week and its theme for 2024, “Welcome to the Future.”</p><p><strong>Resolution</strong><br />As a sign of respect, appreciation and esteem for Tollway engineers and their valued contributions to the Tollway and the region, the members of the Board of Directors of The Illinois State Toll Highway Authority, on behalf of themselves, Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse, and all Tollway employees, hereby join Governor JB Pritzker in proudly recognizing February 18-24, 2024 as Illinois Engineering Week.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="jgyfswrr" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2024-02-23]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Approval of Resolution 22805 recognizing Illinois Engineering Week and National Engineers Week
Display date: 2024-02-23
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="frffkkkr" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Engages Statewide Engineering Industry for Input on Next Capital Plan ","name":"ACEC-lunch-group-blog_0224.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway Engages Statewide Engineering Industry for Input on Next Capital Plan ","title":"ACEC-lunch-group-blog_0224.png","type":"document","uuid":"0b73165b-6236-21e7-cfdd-b6583c104817","fileEntryId":"1431509","resourcePrimKey":"1431530","url":"/documents/20184/1415293/ACEC-lunch-group-blog_0224.png/0b73165b-6236-21e7-cfdd-b6583c104817?t=1707506682822","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="htodtjne" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Engages Statewide Engineering Industry for Input on Next Capital Plan ","name":"ACEC-lunch-group-blog_0224.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway Engages Statewide Engineering Industry for Input on Next Capital Plan ","title":"ACEC-lunch-group-blog_0224.png","type":"document","uuid":"0b73165b-6236-21e7-cfdd-b6583c104817","fileEntryId":"1431509","resourcePrimKey":"1431530","url":"/documents/20184/1415293/ACEC-lunch-group-blog_0224.png/0b73165b-6236-21e7-cfdd-b6583c104817?t=1707506682822","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="diafthnf" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Engages Statewide Engineering Industry for Input on Next Capital Plan]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="lmsiwlep" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="zttujdtn" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>With the goal of re-imagining the future, the Illinois Tollway’s strategic planning process for the next capital program is underway. </p><p>Chief Engineering Officer Manar Nashif and Chief of Planning Karyn Robles joined a ACEC Illinois’ Regional Luncheon looking for insight and ideas from the engineering industry. </p><p>While the Tollway is still busy completing the current 15-year $16 billion Move Illinois Capital Program, the time is now to begin planning what will come next for the agency and its potential impact on our region. </p><p>The strategic planning process is rooted in four guiding principles: innovation, diversity and inclusion, sustainability and equitable economic development, and over the next year the Tollway will be looking to engineering and construction industry, as well as community leaders and residents, businesses and customers to help the Tollway set priorities for the next capital plan. </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="wdvzyjng" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2024-02-09]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Engages Statewide Engineering Industry for Input on Next Capital Plan
Display date: 2024-02-09
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="qmmjdpbu" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Installation of SmartRoad Gantries Beginning on Central Tri-State Tollway","name":"294-SmartRoad-gantry-blog_0224.jpg","width":"","description":"Installation of SmartRoad Gantries Beginning on Central Tri-State Tollway","title":"294-SmartRoad-gantry-blog_0224.jpg","type":"document","uuid":"20eb12a5-aa9e-8b73-f998-ba1b1db07a40","fileEntryId":"1431473","resourcePrimKey":"1431494","url":"/documents/20184/1415293/294-SmartRoad-gantry-blog_0224.jpg/20eb12a5-aa9e-8b73-f998-ba1b1db07a40?t=1707505161018","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="uktuaztk" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Installation of SmartRoad Gantries Beginning on Central Tri-State Tollway","name":"294-SmartRoad-gantry-blog_0224.jpg","width":"","description":"Installation of SmartRoad Gantries Beginning on Central Tri-State Tollway","title":"294-SmartRoad-gantry-blog_0224.jpg","type":"document","uuid":"20eb12a5-aa9e-8b73-f998-ba1b1db07a40","fileEntryId":"1431473","resourcePrimKey":"1431494","url":"/documents/20184/1415293/294-SmartRoad-gantry-blog_0224.jpg/20eb12a5-aa9e-8b73-f998-ba1b1db07a40?t=1707505161018","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="ajozqfzb" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Installation of SmartRoad Gantries Beginning on Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294)]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="fcxvhxcf" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="jnionqur" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Work is has started and will continue through March for the installation of 14 over-the-road SmartRoad gantries as part of the Central Tri-State (I-294) Project. </p><p>The Illinois Tollway is installing the new SmartRoad gantries as part of active traffic management technology that will make travel more efficient for Tollway customers.<br /> <br />Each of the new SmartRoad gantries installed will be equipped with electronic signage and message boards that will be operational upon completion of the reconstruction and widening work on the northern section of the Central Tri-State Tollway between Balmoral Avenue and St. Charles Road by the end of 2024 and after the new SmartRoad system installation and testing is complete. The new gantries will not be used for toll collection or toll violation enforcement.<br /> <br />I-294 SmartRoad<br />As part of the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Project, the 22-mile corridor will be reconstructed to include flexible infrastructure to enable the Tollway to add new "smart" features as needed or as they become available in the years to come. </p><p>Altogether the new I-294 SmartRoad corridor will include a total of 80 high-tech gantries placed every half mile between 95th Street and Balmoral Avenue.<br /> <br />The new I-294 SmartRoad will feature:<br /> </p><ul><li>Active traffic management (ATM) - ATM will provide real-time information to drivers on message boards specific to each lane of traffic that will include the nature and status of traffic incidents, advisory speeds, real-time lane closure notification and traffic pattern changes.</li><li>State-of-the-art wireless traffic sensors - New traffic sensors will be activated to provide more comprehensive travel time information. Sensors will also be added to ramps along the corridor, enabling the Tollway to monitor them for potential backups.</li><li>New Flex Lanes (inside lanes and shoulders) on I-294 that can be used to direct traffic around an incident to keep traffic flowing and reduce backups to provide reliable service.</li></ul><p> <br />To support the new SmartRoad, the Central Tri-State Project includes upgrades and expansion of the roadway camera system on I-294 from analog to digital high-definition to enhance the Tollway’s ability to better respond to roadway incidents. The new roadway cameras will provide increased coverage and include the full length of the Central Tri-State corridor from Balmoral Avenue to 95th Street.<br /> <br />Enhancements will also include state-of-the-art weather stations upgraded to provide pavement monitoring and weather conditions at critical locations, including bridges throughout the system. <br /> <br />In addition, the SmartRoad gantries will include overhead electronic message boards with higher-resolution, full-color graphic capable models, which will feature smaller, four-color digital message signs to enhance communications with drivers throughout the corridor. <br /> </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="ifjayzmc" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2024-02-09]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Installation of SmartRoad Gantries Beginning on Central Tri-State Tollway
Display date: 2024-02-09
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="mswkcmjf" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway partnering with private businesses to train diverse contractor in emerging technologies","name":"Axis_Blog_1.jpg","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway partnering with private businesses to train diverse contractor in emerging technologies","title":"Axis_Blog_1.jpg","type":"document","uuid":"b1eb08ab-76fd-a658-21d5-b14ce7a29607","fileEntryId":"1428345","resourcePrimKey":"1428366","url":"/documents/20184/1415293/Axis_Blog_1.jpg/b1eb08ab-76fd-a658-21d5-b14ce7a29607?t=1706821914409","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="xxrvxnvf" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway partnering with private businesses to train diverse contractor in emerging technologies","name":"Axis_Blog_1.jpg","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway partnering with private businesses to train diverse contractor in emerging technologies","title":"Axis_Blog_1.jpg","type":"document","uuid":"b1eb08ab-76fd-a658-21d5-b14ce7a29607","fileEntryId":"1428345","resourcePrimKey":"1428366","url":"/documents/20184/1415293/Axis_Blog_1.jpg/b1eb08ab-76fd-a658-21d5-b14ce7a29607?t=1706821914409","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="hkomtdkn" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway partnering with private businesses to train diverse contractor in emerging technologies]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="sphjjxpq" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="ulbrvunw" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>His company typically focuses on project management services, but Ezekiel Garnett said he and other company leaders have been looking for opportunities to expand their business into new, rapidly growing technologies.</p><p>That’s why he signed up for a new class offered by the Illinois Tollway as part of its Emerging Technology Program that provided hands-on training in installing and servicing closed-circuit TV and video surveillance systems.</p><p>The recent two-and-a-half-day training program for local contractors administered by Axis Communications has Garnett studying ways to broaden the services provided by his company, Enspyre Management Services, to include working on surveillance and camera systems.</p><p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/F2oIt1F5ZPw?si=SU_RYtidkmEOMs57" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p><p>“The Axis training opened up a whole new realm of potential customers,” said Garnett, who serves as chief operating officer of the Chicago-based company. “The training changed our outlook on the field by giving us more of an understanding of the nuts-and-bolts things we need to understand about the products, how they work and the practical applications. We wouldn’t have that knowledge otherwise.”</p><p>That’s a key goal of the Emerging Technology Program: Offering training in specialized fields to small, diverse contractors so they can then use those skills to compete for work on projects being done by the Tollway and other organizations.</p><p>“It’s about taking small firms and giving them the opportunity to learn a new skill, a new trade, a new ability—and then apply that ability to assist the Tollway and other departments of transportation as they grow,” said Chief of Diversity and Strategic Development Terry Miller. “It’s a chance for small firms to get a leg up by being the first to learn these critical skills.”</p><p>Axis Communications, an industry leader in developing video surveillance, closed-circuit camera and access control technologies, is working with the Tollway as part of that program to train small and diverse firms in using, installing and linking video surveillance and closed-circuit TV systems.</p><p>“This is going to give (the contractors) a lot of information and know-how they’ll be able to take back and use across a lot of different arenas,” said Steve Kennedy, Axis Communications regional sales manager in Chicago. “The training does involve some of our camera equipment but it also gets into networking and installation details—and that’s something they’re going to be able to take back and use in some of their new business initiatives.”</p><p>Graduates of the program like Garnett are certified by Axis as being qualified to install, maintain and network the advanced equipment on which they were trained, which he said increases the credibility of his firm when it seeks contracts from potential customers—including the Tollway.</p><p>“It lets the customer know these guys have been vetted, they’ve been trained, they know what they’re doing,” Garnett said. “That credibility is essential because customers have many choices in who they want to provide services.”</p><p>As part of the Emerging Technology Program, the Tollway partners with larger construction firms and equipment manufacturers to provide virtual and hands-on training sessions with sophisticated equipment, including automated machinery that uses 3D modeling for earthwork and grading projects, and high-tech closed circuit television and video surveillance systems.</p><p>This training is enhanced by the Tollway advertising some contracts exclusively for small businesses featuring these types of technology and offering incentives to offset the cost of renting or purchasing that new equipment and required software.</p><p>Going a step further, the Tollway connects larger, more experienced businesses to work with small contractors to work together on training and using new technology and equipment in short-term partnerships that aren’t tied to a specific contract. The partnerships allow small, diverse contractors to access training and equipment owned by the larger firms so they can become familiar with using the latest technology and then compete for future contracts that include using those skills.</p><p>The Tollway is expanding its use of video and camera surveillance along its roadways as it continues with its 16-year, $15 billion Move Illinois capital program—and sees a growing need for skilled contractors to do that work, said Rob Glaz, the Tollway’s manager of intelligent transportation systems (ITS).<br /> <br />“By learning and training in these new technologies, you essentially go right to the front of the line to get an opportunity to use those skills to help the Tollway and other agencies continue to be ahead of the curve when it comes to using these technologies,” Glaz said. </p><p>Another Axis graduate, Matthew Andersen, now sees that as a goal for the Chicago firm where he works. Andersen said the training he received makes his company better able to compete for future contracts involving camera and surveillance technology—either on projects for the Tollway or other organizations.</p><p>“After going through this training, I definitely understand the software capabilities much more and the camera capabilities much more,” said Andersen, who is a project manager for Adelante Construction Group, which specializes in commercial electrical work but wants to broaden the work it does. “I know the Tollway is going to be doing more camera work in the future and that’s where we want to plant a flag, if we can.”</p><p>Creating more qualified, skilled contractors benefits the Tollway when it comes to letting contracts for new project that include advanced technologies.</p><p>“What we try to do is build competition, and the more robust competition you have, the greater check you have on cost,” Miller said. “Costs won’t skyrocket in a room full of eager competitors-- so what we want to do is create a room of eager competitors.”</p><p>The training offered in the Emerging Technology Program will help small businesses develop new skills that will help them compete for contracts as the Tollway wraps up its current Move Illinois program and begins planning for its next capital program, which is expected to include a greater use of newer technologies, Tollway officials said.</p><p>“We’ve got to start a new capital plan, which means new roads in a big way, it means smarter roads in a big way,” Miller said of the program. “This is ground floor for learning new, exciting technologies.”</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="pvjtqgsn" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2024-02-01]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway partnering with private businesses to train diverse contractor in emerging technologies
Display date: 2024-02-01
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="wfmctnzs" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"I-PASS sticker tag blog graphic","name":"StickerTag-blog_0124.jpg","width":"","description":"I-PASS sticker tag blog graphic","title":"StickerTag-blog_0124.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"6921a204-21d3-cfed-b676-1980f1f8e359","fileEntryId":"1426925","resourcePrimKey":"1426923","url":"/documents/924058/1426924/StickerTag-blog_0124.jpg/6921a204-21d3-cfed-b676-1980f1f8e359?t=1706295599733","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="zndtmpcc" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"","name":"StickerTag-blog_0124 (1).jpg","width":"","description":"","title":"StickerTag-blog_0124 (1).jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"9f7b55e6-6176-c820-079d-9207b29db773","fileEntryId":"1426934","resourcePrimKey":"1426923","url":"/documents/924058/1426924/StickerTag-blog_0124%20%281%29.jpg/9f7b55e6-6176-c820-079d-9207b29db773?t=1706295599764","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="tbfrfcxq" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Moving to I-PASS Sticker Tags]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="wourjthg" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="ybjfhpyo" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway is transitioning to a more efficient and cost-effective transponder technology – I-PASS Sticker Tags. </p><p>“I-PASS Sticker Tags mark the latest advance in toll collection,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. “Sticker tags are being adopted by toll agencies across the country and by the Illinois Tollway as they provide a convenient and reliable and travel experience for our customers.”</p><p>I-PASS Sticker Tags can be picked up at Illinois Tollway Customer Service Centers starting January 26 and will be available beginning in early February through online orders via the Illinois Tollway <a target="_blank" href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/about-ipass">website </a>or at a Jewel-Osco or RoadRanger retail location.</p><p>The introduction of I-PASS Sticker Tags is being done in collaboration with other E-ZPass agencies and will ensure that customers have continuity in service wherever they travel in the 19 states that are part of the E-ZPass consortium. </p><p>Existing I-PASS transponders will continue to work on the Tollway and E-ZPass partners’ facilities including the Chicago Skyway. </p><p>Customers will not be required to switch to the I-PASS Sticker Tag as long as they have a working transponder. As I-PASS transponders reach their expiration dates, the Illinois Tollway will send customers new I-PASS Sticker Tags as replacements. </p><p>There is no deposit fee for I-PASS Sticker Tags. For customers with current transponders, the $10 transponder deposit will be transferred into their pre-paid toll accounts once a new I-PASS Sticker Tag is registered to the account. </p><p>Once registered to the account, the I-PASS Sticker Tag will be immediately ready to use on the Illinois Tollway and within 24 hours on the Chicago Skyway and other E-ZPass roadways. </p><p>Customers will be asked to dispose of old I-PASS transponders in an environmentally sound way, either by returning them to the Illinois Tollway or by going to the <a target="_blank" href="https://search.earth911.com/">Earth911 website</a> where they can search by "lithium-ion batteries" and enter their zip code to find many convenient recycling locations. </p><p>I-PASS Sticker Tags are required to be mounted to a vehicle’s windshield near the rearview mirror, and like license plate or city stickers, they are not designed to be moved between vehicles. There is no battery, and they last until removed from the vehicle.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="uxmlbmnr" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2024-01-26]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Moving to I-PASS Sticker Tags
Display date: 2024-01-26
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="kuyfqdph" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Dangerous cold prompts Illinois Tollway to launch special Zero Weather Road Patrols to assist customers","name":"ZeroWeatherPatrol-2-blog_0124.png","width":"","description":"Dangerous cold prompts Illinois Tollway to launch special Zero Weather Road Patrols to assist customers","title":"ZeroWeatherPatrol-2-blog_0124.png","type":"document","uuid":"12b110d7-1385-8335-bde4-70ab96934665","fileEntryId":"1424748","resourcePrimKey":"1424768","url":"/documents/20184/1415293/ZeroWeatherPatrol-2-blog_0124.png/12b110d7-1385-8335-bde4-70ab96934665?t=1705946611746","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="evprmvee" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Dangerous cold prompts Illinois Tollway to launch special Zero Weather Road Patrols to assist customers","name":"ZeroWeatherPatrol-2-blog_0124.png","width":"","description":"Dangerous cold prompts Illinois Tollway to launch special Zero Weather Road Patrols to assist customers","title":"ZeroWeatherPatrol-2-blog_0124.png","type":"document","uuid":"12b110d7-1385-8335-bde4-70ab96934665","fileEntryId":"1424748","resourcePrimKey":"1424768","url":"/documents/20184/1415293/ZeroWeatherPatrol-2-blog_0124.png/12b110d7-1385-8335-bde4-70ab96934665?t=1705946611746","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="nuxhqtpm" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Dangerous cold prompts Illinois Tollway to launch special Zero Weather Road Patrols to assist customers]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="uwfuciwy" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="pibgbrme" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>When temperatures and windchills plunge dangerously low, the Illinois Tollway stepped up to assist its customers, launching around-the-clock roadway patrols to more quickly locate and aid drivers who are stranded in the cold along its roads.</p><p>The special Zero Weather Road Patrols operate whenever temperatures or sustained wind chills fall below zero degrees, bolstering the roadway assistance already provided by the Tollway’s Highway Emergency Lane Patrol (H.E.L.P.) trucks and the Illinois State Police. </p><p>After temperatures sank into the deep freeze in January, Zero Weather patrols in their first four days on the road assisted or checked on more than 400 drivers who were stopped along the Tollway’s 294-mile system.</p><p>“Safety is always our top priority and when drivers face dangerously cold conditions, we launch Zero Weather Road patrols as an additional step to better protect and assist our customers,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. “Adding around-the-clock patrols provide an extra margin of safety for our customers by enabling us to more quickly locate and aid drivers who need help while traveling on our roads.”</p><p>Customers who received help said they were pleased by the quick assistance provided by the Tollway road workers staffing the patrols.</p><p>“As soon as I pulled over, they pulled up right behind and asked to help,” said Ricardo Villanueva, who stopped on the Tri-State Tollway (I-294) near the Touhy Avenue Toll Plaza because his car’s steering felt “wobbly.”</p><p>Tollway Roadway Maintenance division electrician John Wagner, who was working the Zero Weather Road Patrol, tightened several loose lug nuts on Villaneuva’s car tires, allowing him to safely continue his trip.</p><p>“Everyone always is very grateful to have us out there,” said Wagner, a 21-year veteran of the agency. “It makes us feel good that we’re helping out our neighbors. It can be very rewarding to help someone out and I feel like when it’s really, really cold out, that everyone might be a little more appreciative of the help.”</p><p>The 24-hour patrols search for drivers stranded in disabled vehicles and also respond to calls that come in to *999 motorist assistance, Illinois Tollway dispatch or Illinois State Police.</p><p>While the Tollway H.E.L.P. trucks supported by GEICO run from 4 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday, a minimum of 12 Zero Weather Road Patrols provide additional coverage through the day and night, including weekends. Illinois State Police also patrol the Tollway system 24 hours a day, seven days a week.</p><p>Drivers who become stranded along the Tollway system should dial *999 for assistance and remain in their vehicle until help arrives.</p><p>The Zero Weather Road Patrols can assist drivers whose cars or trucks have empty fuel tanks, flat tires, batteries needed a boost or overheated radiators. The patrols consist of crew cab trucks equipped with arrow boards directing traffic accidents or stranded vehicles and accommodate passengers if drivers need to escorted to a Tollway maintenance garage, toll plaza or oasis while service is obtained.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="tquapyra" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2024-01-22]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Dangerous cold prompts Illinois Tollway to launch special Zero Weather Road Patrols to assist customers
Display date: 2024-01-22
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="tpqpeldr" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse Named to IBTTA Board of Directors","name":"CRouse-IBTTA-blog_0124.png","width":"","description":"Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse Named to IBTTA Board of Directors","title":"CRouse-IBTTA-blog_0124.png","type":"document","uuid":"0495dc27-0376-3049-4a76-d5f26559880c","fileEntryId":"1424323","resourcePrimKey":"1424343","url":"/documents/20184/1415293/CRouse-IBTTA-blog_0124.png/0495dc27-0376-3049-4a76-d5f26559880c?t=1705614130352","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="youtgpxh" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse Named to IBTTA Board of Directors","name":"CRouse-IBTTA-blog_0124.png","width":"","description":"Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse Named to IBTTA Board of Directors","title":"CRouse-IBTTA-blog_0124.png","type":"document","uuid":"0495dc27-0376-3049-4a76-d5f26559880c","fileEntryId":"1424323","resourcePrimKey":"1424343","url":"/documents/20184/1415293/CRouse-IBTTA-blog_0124.png/0495dc27-0376-3049-4a76-d5f26559880c?t=1705614130352","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="qwcaxrdu" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse Named to IBTTA Board of Directors]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="iiftivai" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="pyyzmoql" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway congratulates Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse for being elected to the Board of Directors for the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA).</p><p>The IBTTA Board of Directors is the chief governing body of the worldwide association for owners and operators of toll facilities and businesses that serve the tolling industry. </p><p>As a director, Rouse will help set the strategic direction for IBTTA and advocate for innovation in tolling to improve mobility and safety. The Board members also work together to act as a catalyst and incubator for innovation, to promote industry coordination and interoperability and to develop solutions that enhance transportation and sustainability.</p><p>Rouse was elected to the IBTTA Board of Directors at the association’s annual meeting in October. She begins her four-term term as a director for IBTTA effective January 2024. </p><p>See the IBTTA press release here. </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="ymzwcvlo" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2024-01-18]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse Named to IBTTA Board of Directors
Display date: 2024-01-18
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<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="kjejalxr" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Prepared for Holiday Travel","name":"HolidayTravel-blog_1223.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway Prepared for Holiday Travel","title":"HolidayTravel-blog_1223.png","type":"document","uuid":"e2a0bed7-d7aa-be45-472d-e45edc09a515","fileEntryId":"1416752","resourcePrimKey":"1416772","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/HolidayTravel-blog_1223.png/e2a0bed7-d7aa-be45-472d-e45edc09a515?t=1703009142746","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="gckpfdlh" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Prepared for Holiday Travel","name":"HolidayTravel-blog_1223.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway Prepared for Holiday Travel","title":"HolidayTravel-blog_1223.png","type":"document","uuid":"e2a0bed7-d7aa-be45-472d-e45edc09a515","fileEntryId":"1416752","resourcePrimKey":"1416772","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/HolidayTravel-blog_1223.png/e2a0bed7-d7aa-be45-472d-e45edc09a515?t=1703009142746","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="mmnnlnjm" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Prepared for Holiday Travel]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="qtszrdiv" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="mjkbvjhx" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway is prepared for this holiday season and working to help customers take some of the stress out of holiday travel the Christmas and New Year’s holidays through I-PASS benefits and roadway customer service efforts.</p><p>The heaviest traffic is expected on Wednesday, December 20, Thursday, December 21, and Friday, December 22, when nearly 1.7 million vehicles each day are projected to travel on the 294-mile Tollway system. </p><p>About 1.1 million vehicles are expected to travel on the Tollway system on Sunday, December 24, and about one million vehicles on Christmas Day. Less than 1 million vehicles are expected on the Tollway system on Sunday, December 31, and on New Year’s Day. On an average day, 1.5 million vehicles use the Illinois Tollway. </p><p>“The Illinois Tollway wishes all of our customers a safe and happy holiday season,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. “While the holidays can be stressful, we pledge to do everything we can to help make holiday traveling easier and more convenient by offering savings through our IPASS and I-PASS Assist programs and by providing outstanding roadside service to customers who need assistance on our roads.”</p><p><strong>I-PASS Assist – start the new year with savings</strong><br />The Illinois Tollway’s <a target="_blank" href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/assist">I-PASS Assist program</a> offers income-eligible individuals and families the cost-saving benefits of I-PASS with lower up-front costs for pre-paid tolls and no deposits required. Through a partnership with the Illinois Department of Revenue and the Illinois Department of Human Services, the Illinois Tollway is able to verify the eligibility of households via a secure web form that requires minimal information to determine if household income falls below the required threshold based on Federal Poverty Guidelines.</p><p><strong>E-ZPass – take your I-PASS when you travel</strong><br />Before you hit the road don’t forget to bring your I-PASS, it’s accepted in 19 states and within more than 35 tolling agencies using E-ZPass, and includes a 50 percent discount on tolls on the Illinois Tollway’s five roadways. As a member of the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/about-ipass">E-ZPass IAG consortium</a>, you have the luxury of traveling worry free whether in your car or rental car. </p><p><strong>*999 – call us for roadway assistance</strong><br />Drivers should call <a target="_blank" href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/travel-information">*999 to get help</a> from Tollway roadway maintenance crews or from <a target="_blank" href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/about/state-police">Illinois State Police Troop 15</a> who patrol the Tollway system 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Motorist aid patrols stand ready to help stranded customers change tires, jump-start batteries, add coolant, dispense fuel, transport customers, move vehicles away from traffic and call for a tow truck.</p><p><strong>Construction – lane closures suspended for holidays</strong><br />Ongoing construction activity will be restricted to better serve Tollway customers during holiday travel with any temporary maintenance and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/media-center/construction-alerts">construction lane closures</a> suspended from noon on Friday, December 22, through 9 a.m. on Tuesday, December 26, and again from noon on Friday, December 29, through 9 a.m. on Tuesday, January 2. Some construction work zones may remain in place, so drivers are reminded to slow down and obey work zone speed limits.</p><p>Areas where Tollway drivers can expect to see ongoing work include:</p><p>Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80)</p><ul><li>On I-294 between Wolf Road and St. Charles Road, traffic shifts in both directions with northbound counterflow lanes throughout this segment of the Central Tri-State corridor. Watch for signage indicating changing traffic patterns.</li><li>On southbound I-294 between St. Charles Road and Butterfield Road traffic shifts into a split configuration with two left lanes continuing on I-294 mainline and two right lanes on auxiliary lanes providing access to exit ramps for eastbound I-290 and for westbound I-88 before reconnecting with the southbound I-294 mainline. </li><li>On I-294, the ramps from westbound I-290 to northbound I-294 and westbound Roosevelt Road to southbound I-294 are closed and detours are posted.</li><li>On southbound/northbound I-294 there are long-term lane closures through the I-55 ramp toll plazas with two lanes of traffic maintained in each direction. </li></ul><p><strong>About the Illinois Tollway</strong><br />The Illinois Tollway is a user-fee system that receives no state or federal funds for maintenance and operations. The agency maintains and operates 294 miles of roadways in 12 counties in Northern Illinois, including the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355), the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80) and the Illinois Route 390 Tollway.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="bcboqlju" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2023-12-19]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Prepared for Holiday Travel
Display date: 2023-12-19
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<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="teenmees" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Roads and Bridges names Mile Long Bridge the No 1 Bridge Project in North America","name":"RoadBridges-Top10_blog_1223.png","width":"","description":"Roads and Bridges names Mile Long Bridge the No 1 Bridge Project in North America","title":"RoadBridges-Top10_blog_1223.png","type":"document","uuid":"441998cc-9dbd-dee1-c1ea-6206c4aaa49d","fileEntryId":"1415274","resourcePrimKey":"1415299","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/RoadBridges-Top10_blog_1223.png/441998cc-9dbd-dee1-c1ea-6206c4aaa49d?t=1702500628327","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="dfdgqukf" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Roads and Bridges names Mile Long Bridge the No 1 Bridge Project in North America","name":"RoadBridges-Top10_blog_1223.png","width":"","description":"Roads and Bridges names Mile Long Bridge the No 1 Bridge Project in North America","title":"RoadBridges-Top10_blog_1223.png","type":"document","uuid":"441998cc-9dbd-dee1-c1ea-6206c4aaa49d","fileEntryId":"1415274","resourcePrimKey":"1415299","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/RoadBridges-Top10_blog_1223.png/441998cc-9dbd-dee1-c1ea-6206c4aaa49d?t=1702500628327","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="aunqoule" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Roads & Bridges names Mile Long Bridge the No. 1 Bridge Project in North America]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="rlglmtyw" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="bjlpqjdy" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Mile Long Bridge has topped Roads & Bridges’ annual ranking of the best bridge projects in North America for 2023. </p><p>The <a target="_blank" href="https://www.roadsbridges.com/">Top 10 Bridges</a> ranks recently completed bridge projects based on project challenges, impact to the region and scope of work. The Mile Long Bridge Project was selected as No. 1 on the list for 2023. </p><p>The $500 million Mile Long Bridge Project includes construction of two new, wider bridge structures, as well as stormwater, drainage and related infrastructure improvements. In addition, inside shoulders were built to serve as flex lanes, which can accommodate transit during heavier periods and various safety-related needs in case of emergencies. </p><p>“The new Mile Long Bridge significantly improves travel for our customers and serves as a critical piece of infrastructure on the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) corridor,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. “It’s an honor for this project to be named the No. 1 bridge project in North America for 2023.” </p><p>The Mile Long Bridge Project team overcame numerous challenges. </p><p>Built in 1958, the twin structures carry up to 150,000 vehicles a day over two major railroads, the Des Plaines River, the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal and the Illinois and Michigan Canal, local roads and major distribution centers for UPS and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway. </p><p>Due to the complexity of the area surrounding the construction site, the Mile Long Bridge Project required extensive coordination with six surrounding communities, environmental agencies, utilities, railroads, major businesses, property owners and local agencies. The project also required coordination among the Illinois Tollway, 69 engineering firms and 109 construction firms working on the project. </p><p>Because the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) is the most heavily traveled interstate on the Illinois Tollway system, it was vital to expedite the project to minimize impact on motorists. </p><p>The project began in spring 2019 with construction of the new northbound bridge to the east of the existing bridge. The new northbound bridge was completed in November 2020. The old northbound structure was then demolished and construction of the new southbound bridge was complete in October 2022. The remaining demolition and restoration work occurred while Tollway customers continued to use the new bridges without disruption. </p><p>Construction of the twin bridge structures increased capacity from four lanes to five lanes in both directions as part of the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Project, under which the Illinois Tollway is reconstructing and widening a 22-mile corridor on I-294 to provide congestion relief, reconstruct old infrastructure to meet current and future transportation demand and address regional needs. The $4 billion I-294 Project is scheduled to be completed in 2026. </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="kyileged" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2023-12-14]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Roads and Bridges names Mile Long Bridge the No 1 Bridge Project in North America
Display date: 2023-12-14
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<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="vomjqtui" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway first-aid training helps M-1 mechanic save a life","name":"Bobby_blog.jpg","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway first-aid training helps M-1 mechanic save a life","title":"Bobby_blog.jpg","type":"document","uuid":"8d380eba-1f2d-5a41-ec0b-0652b756b77e","fileEntryId":"1413341","resourcePrimKey":"1413362","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/Bobby_blog.jpg/8d380eba-1f2d-5a41-ec0b-0652b756b77e?t=1701791938159","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="hcpthorp" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway first-aid training helps M-1 mechanic save a life","name":"Bobby_blog.jpg","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway first-aid training helps M-1 mechanic save a life","title":"Bobby_blog.jpg","type":"document","uuid":"8d380eba-1f2d-5a41-ec0b-0652b756b77e","fileEntryId":"1413341","resourcePrimKey":"1413362","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/Bobby_blog.jpg/8d380eba-1f2d-5a41-ec0b-0652b756b77e?t=1701791938159","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="ycexyvch" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway first-aid training helps M-1 mechanic save a life]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="ezxqnmeo" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="wolgvkgy" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Illinois Tollway mechanic Bob Cowgill was only looking to have some fun and possibly win a few dollars when he went out in October to play Bingo.<br /> <br />Instead, Cowgill ended up saving a man’s life when he was abruptly confronted by a medical emergency while playing in his weekly Bingo match at a community center in Orland Park.<br /> <br />“I looked up, saw one of the workers come through the doorway in obvious distress,” recalled Cowgill, 59, who works at the Alsip (M-1) maintenance site. “When you see it, you know it was distress.”</p><p><br /><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Jv1wxIXL65I?si=tSucwnKZn74F57MB" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p><p>Cowgill jumped out of his chair and rushed over to the man just as he collapsed to his knees, wheezing as his face turned purple.<br /> <br />Thanks to first-aid training he had received from the Tollway, Cowgill quickly recognized the man was choking--and because of that training, he knew how to help.<br /> <br />“I lifted him up, got him back on his feet, turned him around and started the Heimlich (maneuver),” Cowgill said.<br /> <br />Wrapping his arms around the man’s abdomen, Cowgill forcefully squeezing upward with his hands to exert pressure on the man’s diaphragm to force air out of his lungs in an attempt to clear the obstruction blocking his throat. <br /> <br />Cowgill was so focused on trying to save the man, he didn’t realize he had dislodged the obstruction until the man suddenly spoke to him.<br /> <br />“He talked to me, he told me ‘OK, OK,’” Cowgill recounted. “That’s when I realized—'you can talk, you’re OK now.’”<br /> <br />Cowgill helped the man to a chair, then took a minute to take a deep breath himself and process what had just happened.<br /> <br />What he realized shortly after the incident was that Tollway-provided first-aid training he’s taken routinely since he started at the agency 10 years ago had allowed him to save a life.<br /> <br />The one-day training offered to all employees includes instruction in basic first aid, doing CPR, using an AED, and learning when and how to use the Heimlich maneuver to save someone who’s choking.<br /> <br />“If it wasn’t for this training, I wouldn’t have been the one jumping up and running over there,” Cowgill said, estimating he’s taken the first-aid training five times. “I knew that I had some training, some background and I had some ability to help. It turned out my training was enough to save this man.”<br /> <br />Chris Foli, the Tollway’s Health and Safety Manager, said that’s the goal of the training she offers—to allow Tollway employees to jump into emergency situations wherever they occur and provide assistance.<br /> <br />“It’s making sure that our employees are up on the latest training out there,” Foli said. “A lot of times, as I tell them in class, is that you probably won’t use it at the Tollway, you’ll use it outside the Tollway, maybe for a family member, a friend or maybe a complete stranger because you just happen to be there and you can just step in and help.”<br /> <br />Cowgill contacted her later to describe the incident and tell her how helpful her training had been.<br /> <br />“That makes me feel good for a lot of reasons, knowing that they’re listening and hearing the message and participating and taking it with them and being able to jump into a situation like that,” said Foli, who has heard back from other employees over the years who used their first-aid training to help out in an emergency.<br /> <br />Afterwards, the crowd in the hall applauded him for his rescue, Cowgill said, and the man he had saved—a worker who had been taking a break in another room when he started choking on his dinner—thanked him profusely.<br /> <br />“He was very grateful that I jumped up and did that,” Cowgill said, recalling that he texted the man the next day to make sure he hadn’t accidentally bruised him while performing the Heimlich maneuver. <br /> <br />“He replied ‘Doing just fine. No problem at all. Thank you so much,’” Cowgill said. “It feels good now, knowing I have a friend now who’s still with us and was able to go to his family that night.” <br /> <br />Without his first-aid training, “it could’ve been a completely different outlook,” he said. “It was the training that I got here (at the Tollway) that gave me the confidence and the ability to jump up when necessary and address the situation.”<br /> <br />After the emergency, Cowgill returned to his Bingo cards and kept playing.<br /> <br />While he didn’t hit any Bingo jackpots, he said he still felt like a winner that night.<br /> <br />“I won by saving a life,” Cowgill said.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="cbsenmgh" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2023-12-05]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway first-aid training helps M-1 mechanic save a life
Display date: 2023-12-05
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<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="qotpbmdf" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Honored for Creating the TIMS2GO Mobile Incident Response Tool","name":"RoadwayAward_Blog.jpg","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway Honored for Creating the TIMS2GO Mobile Incident Response Tool","title":"RoadwayAward_Blog.jpg","type":"document","uuid":"0704f1b4-d470-bbcb-0933-517b2ff23d89","fileEntryId":"1411685","resourcePrimKey":"1411805","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/RoadwayAward_Blog.jpg/0704f1b4-d470-bbcb-0933-517b2ff23d89?t=1701357788706","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="gwrzktmi" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"","name":"RoadwayAward_Blog.jpg","width":"","description":"","title":"RoadwayAward_Blog.jpg","type":"document","uuid":"0704f1b4-d470-bbcb-0933-517b2ff23d89","fileEntryId":"1411685","resourcePrimKey":"1411805","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/RoadwayAward_Blog.jpg/0704f1b4-d470-bbcb-0933-517b2ff23d89?t=1701357788706","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="qanykajw" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Honored for Creating the TIMS2GO Mobile Incident Response Tool]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="stmcrbra" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="pwpoisww" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>2023 National Roadway Safety Awards recognize innovations to protect pedestrians, cyclists and motorists as pandemic spike in U.S. road fatalities continues largely unabated</p><p>The Illinois Tollway was honored with a 2023 National Roadway Safety Award today for creating the TIMS2GO Mobile Incident Response Tool, a mobile web application that provides its traffic managers with instant access to livestream video, incident details and status updates of roadway incidents on smartphones, tablets and laptops, helping them to quickly respond.</p><p>TIMS2GO is based on the Illinois Tollway’s Traffic and Incident Management System (TIMS), which uses an extensive range of intelligent transportation technologies, including roadway cameras and pavement sensors, to monitor and respond to incidents on the 294-mile Tollway system in Northern Illinois.</p><p>“TIMS2GO puts the resources of our Traffic Operations Center into our traffic and incident managers’ hands, providing real-time information necessary to make informed decisions anytime from anywhere,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. “TIMS2GO is a great example of how the Illinois Tollway uses innovation and technology to put the safety of our customers and employees on our roadways first, and we are grateful for this prestigious award.” </p><p>Since its launch in late 2020, the Illinois Tollway has used the TIMS2GO app an average 115 times monthly. The Tollway credits it for reducing the average time to confirm and respond to incidents by nearly 12 percent – from 5.1 minutes in 2019 to 4.5 minutes in 2023. </p><p>Beyond getting lifesaving first responders to a scene, faster and more efficient responses can help clear crashes more quickly. That helps reduce backups that can lead to additional, and often more serious, rear-end collisions. </p><p>Traffic and incident managers who are away from the Tollway Traffic Operations Center can use the app’s livestream video to direct roadway cameras to zoom in on key details and help manage response to roadway incidents.</p><p>The Illinois Tollway is a user-fee system that receives no state or federal funds for maintenance and operations. The agency maintains and operates 294 miles of roadways in 12 counties in Northern Illinois, including the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355), the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80) and the Illinois Route 390 Tollway.</p><p><strong>2023 National Roadway Safety Awards</strong><br />The 10 National Roadway Safety Award winners and two honorable mentions are using proactive, data-driven, collaborative and cost-effective approaches to better protect pedestrians, cyclists and motorists across the country. Much of their work began amid a nationwide spike in vehicular crashes during the pandemic, when U.S. <a target="_blank" href="https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/813514">roadway fatalities rose 7.3 percent in 2020 and a further 10.1 percent in 2021 before holding steady at a high level in 2022 (-0.3 percent)</a>. </p><p>Early estimates for the first half of 2023 show crash fatalities declined slightly but <a target="_blank" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motor_vehicle_fatality_rate_in_U.S._by_year">remain at levels not seen since the mid-2000s</a>. Between January and June, fatalities nationwide declined by an estimated 3.3 percent, compared with the first six months of 2022, according to the <a target="_blank" href="https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/813514">National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)</a>. </p><p>First-half 2023 fatalities in Illinois stayed about the same: An estimated 599 people died on Illinois roads, a .2 percent uptick from the same time frame last year, according to <a target="_blank" href="https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/813514">NHTSA’s preliminary data</a>.</p><p>The continued high fatality numbers demonstrate the value of safety innovations like the Illinois Tollway’s TIMS2GO app and the 11 other projects from across the nation.</p><p>The National Roadway Safety Awards, presented biannually since 1999, are sponsored by the Federal Highway Administration and the nonprofit Roadway Safety Foundation. Projects were evaluated on safety effectiveness, innovation and efficient use of resources.</p><p>“The problem-solving creativity and dedication shown by the Illinois Tollway will save countless lives -- using a data driven approach and practices that are proven to reduce crashes,” said Federal Highway Administrator Shailen Bhatt. “It demonstrates a strong commitment to moving Illinois toward zero deaths and serious injuries on the state’s roadways, and we are proud to applaud their efforts.”</p><p>“The stubbornly elevated fatality numbers underscore the urgent need for innovations like the National Roadway Safety Award honorees’ projects,” said Roadway Safety Foundation Executive Director Bruce Hamilton. “With several initiatives already showing major reductions in fatalities, injuries and crashes, today’s honorees are shining a bright light on the path to safer travel.” </p><p>Other honorees are: </p><ul><li>North Carolina: NCDOT for reducing severe crashes at rural intersections by adding more all-way stops</li><li>Florida: FDOT for demonstrating how skid-resistant pavement can shorten stopping distances at high-speed intersections</li><li>Louisiana: Acadiana Planning Commission for reducing severe crashes at rural “T” intersections using larger signs and rumble strips to alert distracted drivers</li><li>Texas: TxDOT for reducing pedestrian fatalities on an Austin highway, particularly among people experiencing homelessness</li><li>Delaware: DelDOT for reducing fatal and serious injury crashes by converting more intersections to all-way stops</li><li>New Jersey: South Jersey Transportation Planning Organization for developing a plan to prioritize cyclist and pedestrian safety in rural Cumberland County</li><li>New Jersey/New York: The Port Authority of NY & NJ for reducing crashes by using timely data analysis to proactively identify and address safety problems</li><li>Minnesota: MnDOT for its widespread use of “J-turn” intersections on high-speed divided highways to reduce the severity of crashes</li><li>California: Caltrans for implementing pedestrian protections, signs to prevent wrong-way driving and other cost-effective safety measures more quickly</li><li>Virginia: VDOT (Honorable Mention) for funding lower-cost safety projects in a more systemic way aimed at preventing traffic fatalities and serious injuries</li><li>Nevada: NDOT (Honorable Mention) for its first comprehensive plan to reduce speeding, a leading cause of fatal and severe crashes</li></ul><p>Winners were selected by an expert panel of judges:</p><ul><li>Lori Diaz, The American Traffic Safety Services Foundation</li><li>Jennifer Hall, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials</li><li>Adam Kirk, Kentucky Transportation Center</li><li>Stephen Read, Virginia Department of Transportation</li><li>Brian Roberts, Transportation Research Board</li><li>Terecia Wilson, Clemson University </li></ul><p>For complete details on each of the winners and for more information on the national awards program, visit: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.roadwaysafety.org/awards">www.roadwaysafety.org/awards</a> </p><p>The Roadway Safety Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable and educational organization. Our mission is to reduce the frequency and severity of motor vehicle crashes, injuries and fatalities by improving roadway systems and their environment.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="zdxtqbku" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2023-11-30]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Honored for Creating the TIMS2GO Mobile Incident Response Tool
Display date: 2023-11-30
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<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="dbqjitxf" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Expects Nearly 8-8 million vehicles traveling over the Thanksgiving Holiday","name":"Thanksgivingtravel-1030389-blog_1123.jpg","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway Expects Nearly 8-8 million vehicles traveling over the Thanksgiving Holiday","title":"Thanksgivingtravel-1030389-blog_1123.jpg","type":"document","uuid":"34c87a8a-dc95-3435-18cd-c5ebf2c23741","fileEntryId":"1409496","resourcePrimKey":"1409616","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/Thanksgivingtravel-1030389-blog_1123.jpg/34c87a8a-dc95-3435-18cd-c5ebf2c23741?t=1700501361095","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="abixbzya" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Expects Nearly 8-8 million vehicles traveling over the Thanksgiving Holiday","name":"Thanksgivingtravel-1030389-blog_1123.jpg","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway Expects Nearly 8-8 million vehicles traveling over the Thanksgiving Holiday","title":"Thanksgivingtravel-1030389-blog_1123.jpg","type":"document","uuid":"34c87a8a-dc95-3435-18cd-c5ebf2c23741","fileEntryId":"1409496","resourcePrimKey":"1409616","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/Thanksgivingtravel-1030389-blog_1123.jpg/34c87a8a-dc95-3435-18cd-c5ebf2c23741?t=1700501361095","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="pzzxvluq" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Expects Nearly 8.8 million vehicles traveling over the Thanksgiving Holiday]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="qeqqzgxn" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="haoyfiqt" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>I-PASS and Pay By Plate allow drivers to pay tolls for family and friends<br /> <br />As many as 8.8 million vehicles are expected to drive the Illinois Tollway system during this year’s extended holiday, and I-PASS and Pay By Plate offer options for both local and out-of-town Thanksgiving travelers.<br /> <br />Over the Thanksgiving holiday, Wednesday, November 22, through Monday, November 27, the heaviest travel is expected on Wednesday when nearly 1.8 million vehicles are projected to use the Tollway system. On an average day, 1.5 million vehicles use the Illinois Tollway. <br /> <br />“Before getting behind the wheel this Thanksgiving holiday, we remind our I-PASS and Pay By Plate customers that they can use the Illinois Tollway App to temporarily add rental cars or out-of-town family and friends’ vehicles to their accounts to conveniently pay tolls,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. “It’s our goal to make travel simple and convenient for customers.”<br /> <br />The Pay By Plate service allows drivers to be billed for tolls on the Illinois Tollway when accounts are set up within 14 days of travel, while I-PASS allows drivers with pre-paid accounts to pay tolls in Illinois and 18 other states that participate in the E-ZPass system. Drivers can use the Illinois Tollway App or go to <a target="_blank" href="http://www.getipass.com/">www.getipass.com</a> to set up and manage their accounts, including adding license plates of family or friends traveling for the holiday.<br /> <br />To help make travel easier for drivers, the Illinois Tollway will suspend most temporary maintenance and construction lane closures from noon on Wednesday, November 22, through 9 a.m. on Monday, November 27. However, construction may continue in existing work zones to keep work on schedule for ongoing Illinois Tollway <a target="_blank" href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/projects">construction projects</a>. <br /> <br />Areas where Tollway drivers can expect to see ongoing work include:</p><p><strong>Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80)</strong></p><ul><li>On I-294 between Wolf Road and 75th Street, traffic shifts in both directions with counterflow lanes throughout the Central Tri-State corridor. Watch for signage indicating changing traffic patterns.</li><li>On I-294, the ramps from westbound I-290 to northbound I-294, from northbound I-294 to eastbound I-290 and westbound Roosevelt Road to southbound I-294 are closed and detours are posted. In addition, the ramp connecting northbound I-294 to westbound I-290 is reduced to a single lane.</li><li>On I-294, I-294 between 95th Street and the 83rd Street Toll Plaza, northbound traffic is shifted.</li><li>On I-294 between 171st Street and 159th Street, traffic is shifted.</li></ul><p><strong>Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355)</strong><br />At the I-88 Interchange, the ramps carrying eastbound I-88 to northbound I-355 and southbound I-355 to eastbound and westbound I-88 are reduced.<br /> <br /><a target="_blank" href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/about/state-police#Teen">Safety belts first</a><br />Safety belts save lives, cutting the risk of fatal injuries in a crash by nearly half, according to statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. When they get behind the wheel, drivers should always buckle their safety belts and also ensure children under the age of 8 are securely restrained in appropriately-sized child safety seats or booster seats. Correctly installed child safety seats save lives and significantly reduce injuries in the event of a crash.<br /> <br /><a target="_blank" href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/travel-information#H.E.L.P.%20on%20the%20Illinois%20Tollway">Call *999 for roadside assistance</a> <br />Drivers can call *999 to get help from Tollway roadway maintenance crews or from Illinois State Police Troop 15 who patrol the Tollway system 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Motorist aid patrols stand ready to help stranded customers change tires, jump-start batteries, add coolant, dispense fuel, transport customers, move vehicles away from traffic and call for a tow truck. <br /> <br /><a target="_blank" href="http://www.illinoistollway.com/">Get real-time road condition updates</a> <br />Whether the trip is short or long, sign up for Tollway Trip Tweets with real-time roadway incident information and weather conditions at Tollway Trip 90, Tollway Trip 88, Tollway Trip 355, Tollway Trip 94/294 and Tollway Trip 390.<br /> <br />About the Illinois Tollway<br />The Illinois Tollway is a user-fee system that receives no state or federal funds for maintenance and operations. The agency maintains and operates 294 miles of roadways in 12 counties in Northern Illinois, including the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355), the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80) and the Illinois Route 390 Tollway.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="fbjkgeji" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2023-11-20]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Expects Nearly 8-8 million vehicles traveling over the Thanksgiving Holiday
Display date: 2023-11-20
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="csmobgcz" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":1408592,"groupId":"20184","name":"SnowPlow-9091-blog_1123 copy.png","alt":"Illinois Tollway ready for winter weather but reminds drivers to take precautions during storms","title":"SnowPlow-9091-blog_1123 copy.png","type":"document","uuid":"faa1dc11-8db7-9040-5677-2ce50a9c79e0","fileEntryId":"1408592","resourcePrimKey":"1408612"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="crtzfcvr" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":1408592,"groupId":"20184","name":"SnowPlow-9091-blog_1123 copy.png","alt":"Illinois Tollway ready for winter weather but reminds drivers to take precautions during storms","title":"SnowPlow-9091-blog_1123 copy.png","type":"document","uuid":"faa1dc11-8db7-9040-5677-2ce50a9c79e0","fileEntryId":"1408592","resourcePrimKey":"1408612"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="jhkkubba" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway ready for winter weather, but reminds drivers to take precautions during storms]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="ocfsjvgp" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="mzogxhfe" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Whenever storms strike this winter, the Illinois Tollway will be ready to roll with the equipment, technology and staffing needed to keep our roads open and our customers safe.<br /> <br />We’re pleased to join with the Illinois Department of Transportation and Illinois State Police to describe our preparations for winter weather and to remind drivers that they can help keep our roads safe during winter storms by slowing down and increasing their distance from other vehicles.<br /> <br />Remember, “Winter Weather—Get it Together.”<br /> <br />Read more <a target="_blank" href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/1313780/20231116+-+Winter+Weather+-+Get+it+Together+Plan+Ahead+for+Snow+and+Ice.pdf/a13dfd08-d175-4896-6abd-d302df22787f?t=1700163257379">here</a>.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="zudrsmhk" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2023-11-16]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway ready for winter weather but reminds drivers to take precautions during storms
Display date: 2023-11-16
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="hvishfku" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Review and Comment on the Tollway Tentative 2024 Budget","name":"2024TentativeBudget-blog_1123.png","width":"","description":"Review and Comment on the Tollway Tentative 2024 Budget","title":"2024TentativeBudget-blog_1123.png","type":"document","uuid":"176c3383-c008-330a-c602-613bb869ccb4","fileEntryId":"1406183","resourcePrimKey":"1406203","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/2024TentativeBudget-blog_1123.png/176c3383-c008-330a-c602-613bb869ccb4?t=1699286698180","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="nsjvtlev" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Review and Comment on the Tollway Tentative 2024 Budget","name":"2024TentativeBudget-blog_1123.png","width":"","description":"Review and Comment on the Tollway Tentative 2024 Budget","title":"2024TentativeBudget-blog_1123.png","type":"document","uuid":"176c3383-c008-330a-c602-613bb869ccb4","fileEntryId":"1406183","resourcePrimKey":"1406203","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/2024TentativeBudget-blog_1123.png/176c3383-c008-330a-c602-613bb869ccb4?t=1699286698180","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="dsugdcjn" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Review and Comment on the Tollway Tentative 2024 Budget]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="evzvyfao" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="fvodudiw" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway has introduced a balanced Tentative 2024 Budget with $1.64 billion of revenue that includes $451.3 million for annual maintenance and operations on the 294-mile system and provides funds to support $1.4 billion in capital spending, including funding for the 13th year of the agency’s 15-year Move Illinois capital program.</p><p>“Our Tentative 2024 Budget outlines a balanced spending plan demonstrating the Illinois Tollway’s commitment to serving our customers, communities and contributing to the business and economic development opportunities for the state,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. “We encourage the public to view the tentative budget and share their comments.”</p><p>As part of the Illinois Tollway’s 2024 Budget process there are several ways for the public to review and comment:</p><ul><li>Visit the Finance section on Illinois Tollway’s website <a target="_blank" href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/about/finance#Budgets">www.illinoistollway.com</a> to review the Tentative 2024 Budget book or view a recording of the presentation to the board. </li><li>Attend public hearings on Monday, November 13, at 9 a.m. at Illinois Tollway headquarters in Downers Grove or at 6 p.m. at the Willow Springs Village Hall, 1 Village Circle, Willow Springs.</li><li>Submit a comment via the Tollway’s website <a target="_blank" href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/about/finance#Budgets">www.illinoistollway.com</a>, email to <a target="_blank" href="mailto:info@getipass.com">info@getipass.com</a> or mail to the Department of Stakeholder Engagement, 2700 Ogden Avenue, Downers Grove, IL 60515 by November 26.</li></ul><p>After the Board of Directors has reviewed the public comments and any changes have been incorporated, a final budget will be presented for approval by the Board at its December meeting. <br />Read more <a target="_blank" href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/about/finance#Budgets">here</a>. </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="eacvrggl" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2023-11-06]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Review and Comment on the Tollway Tentative 2024 Budget
Display date: 2023-11-06
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="lhuurwad" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway and gROWing Chicago Habitat Working Group Committed To Creating Pollinator-Friendly Habitats","name":"gROWing Chicago-blog_1123.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway and gROWing Chicago Habitat Working Group Committed To Creating Pollinator-Friendly Habitats","title":"gROWing Chicago-blog_1123.png","type":"document","uuid":"9b7288d0-10f0-0923-f856-e669fa93ced8","fileEntryId":"1405612","resourcePrimKey":"1405633","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/gROWing%20Chicago-blog_1123.png/9b7288d0-10f0-0923-f856-e669fa93ced8?t=1699039927705","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="vcfotvcf" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"","name":"gROWing Chicago-blog_1123.png","width":"","description":"","title":"gROWing Chicago-blog_1123.png","type":"document","uuid":"9b7288d0-10f0-0923-f856-e669fa93ced8","fileEntryId":"1405612","resourcePrimKey":"1405633","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/gROWing%20Chicago-blog_1123.png/9b7288d0-10f0-0923-f856-e669fa93ced8?t=1699039927705","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="hormokqk" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway and gROWing Chicago Habitat Working Group Committed To Creating Pollinator-Friendly Habitats]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="oilvjaes" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="soqljcry" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>As one of more than 200 organizations in the gROWing Chicago Habitat Working Group, the Illinois Tollway works in collaboration with a broad spectrum of private industry, government, non-profits and academia to support wildlife habitat throughout the region. </p><p>“Being part of a gROWing Chicago Habitat gives us the chance to share best practices and strategies to get the most of the Tollway’s investments in green infrastructure.” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. “As part of our commitment to environmental responsibility, the Illinois Tollway looks for ways to use our rights-of-way and other lands to support habitat creation, conservation and restoration,”</p><p>Launched in 2015 by the Energy Resources Center at the University of Illinois at Chicago, <a target="_blank" href="https://rightofway.erc.uic.edu/projects/growing-chicago/">gROWing Chicago Habitat</a> brings together transportation agencies, utility companies and environmental organizations to work together on finding ways to establish and connect valuable habitat resources for a variety of species that live or pass through the Chicago region, including support for vulnerable pollinators species such as the Monarch butterfly that are vital to a healthy and thriving ecosystem.</p><p>The gROWing Chicago Habitat Working Group recently came together at Tollway headquarters in Downers Grove to discuss strategic funding opportunities available to conservation organizations, as well as challenges faced by different organizations and ways members could help one another to achieve shared goals on habitat initiatives. </p><p>The gathering also provides a forum for members to showcase success stories. As part of a panel discussion, representatives from the Chicago Wilderness Alliance, Save the Dunes, the Forest Preserve District of Will County and ComEd outlined what success means for their organizations and broader habitat outcomes. </p><p>A success highlighted for the group is a new interactive mapping tool to identify and prioritize habitat efforts throughout the Chicago region, focusing on lands owned by transportation agencies including the Illinois Tollway, Illinois Department of Transportation and Chicago Department of Transportation and utility companies such as ComEd and Nicor. </p><p>Identifying the vast network of electric transmission lines, pipelines, railroads, highways and local streets, the prioritization tool shows opportunities to connect wildlife habitats and green spaces in the Chicago area and into northwest Indiana. In total, this area includes about 23,000 acres of major rights-of-way that provide potential opportunities to connect habitats. </p><p>Illinois Tollway environmental efforts include efforts to use roadside right-of-way as habitat for pollinators as part of a broader Landscape Master Plan for the Tollway system. These habitats provide shelter, food and breeding grounds to ensure the survival of the Monarch and other pollinators at all stages of life, from larvae to caterpillar to full-grown adult. </p><p>To date, the Tollway has created nearly 1,230 acres of pollinator habitat across its 294-mile system – which, at nearly 2 square miles, is about the size of Chicago’s central business district bordered by the Chicago River to the north and west, Lake Michigan to the east and Roosevelt Road to the south.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="skjffyis" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2023-11-03]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway and gROWing Chicago Habitat Working Group Committed To Creating Pollinator-Friendly Habitats
Display date: 2023-11-03
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="zfosdixj" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Building Bridges Raises OHare Airport Lights to Clear a Path for the New I-490 Tollway ","name":"Runway light-blog_1023.png","width":"","description":"Building Bridges Raises OHare Airport Lights to Clear a Path for the New I-490 Tollway ","title":"Runway light-blog_1023.png","type":"document","uuid":"afc6a904-a602-b4e6-b699-2340a11eb45f","fileEntryId":"1403715","resourcePrimKey":"1403735","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/Runway%20light-blog_1023.png/afc6a904-a602-b4e6-b699-2340a11eb45f?t=1698411724650","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="kppgxhxe" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Building Bridges Raises OHare Airport Lights to Clear a Path for the New I-490 Tollway ","name":"Runway light-blog_1023.png","width":"","description":"Building Bridges Raises OHare Airport Lights to Clear a Path for the New I-490 Tollway ","title":"Runway light-blog_1023.png","type":"document","uuid":"afc6a904-a602-b4e6-b699-2340a11eb45f","fileEntryId":"1403715","resourcePrimKey":"1403735","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/Runway%20light-blog_1023.png/afc6a904-a602-b4e6-b699-2340a11eb45f?t=1698411724650","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="urprogiw" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Building Bridges Raises O’Hare Airport Lights to Clear a Path for the New I-490 Tollway]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="rblxazek" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="nfjeqikc" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway is building four unusual bridges along the western edge of O’Hare International Airport that won’t carry cars, trucks or even pedestrians.<br /> <br />As part of its work to build the new I-490 Tollway, the Tollway is constructing the bridges to support the specialized approach lights used to help guide commercial jets to safe landings on O’Hare Airport runways.<br /> <br />The new I-490 Tollway will run near the edge of O’Hare Airport and its planned path will take it directly through approach lighting systems for four runways. At each runway location, a string of more than a dozen approach lights flash sequentially to direct jets during the landing process.<br /> <br />Building the narrow steel bridges will raise several of the approach lights for each runway above the I-490 right-of-way so the new road can be built underneath, while jets can continue to use the lights as a navigational aid to safely land at O’Hare at night or when visibility is poor. Based on its location, each bridge will hold either three or four of the light towers.<br /> <br />The key to building the bridges, according to Tollway engineers, is maintaining the required distance between each of the lights so incoming jets can hold the proper height and descent angle as they approach the runways.<br /> <br />Because the distance between the lights is critical, engineers and construction crews have to ensure that each light on the new bridges will be spaced between 90 and 105 feet apart—maintaining the same spacing required of the other lights on the ground at either end of the bridges.<br /> <br />The timing of the construction has been challenging, given the importance of the approach lights to daily airline operations at O’Hare.<br /> <br />Since all of the approach lights at the western end of each runway must be taken out of service during construction of each new bridge, the Tollway has been limited to constructing one bridge annually to limit the impact of the work on daily flights.<br /> <br />The first of the four new bridges is in operation at Runway 10 Left near the southern end of O’Hare after being completed last year.<br /> <br />Crews currently are building the second bridge at the end of Runway 9 Left, with that work scheduled to be completed this year.<br /> <br />The two additional bridges are scheduled to be built in 2024 and 2025.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="etuocoaj" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2023-10-27]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Building Bridges Raises OHare Airport Lights to Clear a Path for the New I-490 Tollway
Display date: 2023-10-27
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="xpqyrdvv" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"1400564","groupId":"20184","name":"IBTTA-blog_1023.png","alt":"Illinois Tollway Takes Home Three IBTTA Awards","title":"IBTTA-blog_1023.png","type":"journal","uuid":"2fa5997b-f073-7017-b643-2f46f95b181b","fileEntryId":"1400588","resourcePrimKey":"1400586"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="rmmafjrh" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"1400574","groupId":"20184","name":"IBTTA-blog_1023 (1).png","alt":"","title":"IBTTA-blog_1023 (1).png","type":"journal","uuid":"57529700-234e-415e-bc23-f8d684b30b88","fileEntryId":"1400597","resourcePrimKey":"1400586"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="hkwgcejw" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Takes Home Three IBTTA Awards]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="omwofiet" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="mvshutzq" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway hit the awards trifecta, winning three awards from the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association – including top honors among all winners of the coveted Toll Excellence Awards. <br /> <br />Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse picked up the new hardware at the IBTTA’s 91st Annual Meeting & Exhibition in Seattle. Honors included:<br />• A Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Award for the Illinois Tollway Partnering for Growth Program<br />• A Toll Excellence Award in the Technology category for the TIMS2GO Mobile Incident Response Tool <br />• TIMS2GO also received the IBTTA President’s Award, which is selected from among all the public- and private-sector winners of the Toll Excellence Awards<br /> <br />“I am thrilled that IBTTA, the worldwide tolling industry association, recognizes the great work being accomplished by the Illinois Tollway,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. “These awards affirm the breadth and depth of expertise we have throughout the agency, from creating economic opportunities for entrepreneurs through our diversity programs to making our roadways safe for customers and workers on our roadways alike by using innovative mobile technology solutions. I couldn’t be prouder of Team Tollway.” <br /> <br />The IBTTA DEI Awards recognize toll agencies and private-sector organizations that make significant contributions to advancing racial justice, equity, inclusion and meaning opportunities in society. <br /> <br />The Tollway received a DEI Award for its Partnering for Growth Program. The mentorship program encourages prime consultants and contractors to assist disadvantaged, minority- and women-owned business enterprise firms, veteran-owned firms and small businesses in remaining self-sufficient, competitive and profitable.<br /> <br />Launched in 2007, Partnering for Growth has proven to be the most effective route on the path to prime opportunities and meaningful participation on Tollway contracts for small and diverse firms. Of the 113 professional engineering services firms participating in the program, 48 have gone on to win prime contracts with the Illinois Tollway. And of 25 construction firms in the program, six have been awarded prime contracts with the Tollway. In total, the Tollway has executed nearly 230 agreements, with protégé firms earning nearly $200 million working on Tollway contracts. <br /> <br />IBTTA Toll Excellence Awards recognize the very best projects and programs the international tolling community has to offer in six categories: Administration & Finance, Customer Service and Marketing Outreach, Safety, Social Responsibility, Technology and Toll Operations, Engineering & Maintenance. The awards celebrate public agencies and private firms whose creative, innovative and positive programs set a new standard for excellence. The prestigious President’s Award is given to one of the Toll Excellence Award winners. <br /> <br />TIMS2GO picked up a Toll Excellence Award in the technology category and received top honors, as well. The mobile-friendly web application enables traffic and incident managers to quickly verify incident details, make informed decisions and manage incidents. TIMS2GO puts all the resources of the Tollway Traffic Operations Center, including the extensive amount of traffic information gathered through the Traffic and Information Management System (TIMS) advanced traffic management system, in the palms of the hands of traffic and incident managers anytime from anywhere using any smartphone, tablet or laptop. <br /> <br />TIMS2GO provides instant access to livestreaming video, incident details and response status updates. It allows traffic managers to share information with Illinois State Police Troop 15, which is responsible for patrolling the Tollway system, as well as other emergency responders. TIMS2GO also provides traffic data trends, ITS equipment inventory information and real-time event statistics to help traffic managers make better-informed decisions. <br /> <br />“The Illinois Tollway Board of Directors and I make putting the safety of our customers and employees on the roadways first,” said Rouse in accepting the award for TIMS2GO. “This culture of safety at the Tollway provides an environment that encourages our staff to come up with new ideas, collaborate across different departments and come up with innovative solutions.” </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="grvemkew" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2023-10-11]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Takes Home Three IBTTA Awards
Display date: 2023-10-11
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<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="mggutief" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Diversity Chief Named Among 2023 Notable Leaders in DEI by Crains Chicago Business","name":"TerryMiller-Crains-blog_0823.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway Diversity Chief Named Among 2023 Notable Leaders in DEI by Crains Chicago Business","title":"TerryMiller-Crains-blog_0823.png","type":"document","uuid":"087a4f66-8780-eb81-4d0f-66014c236ab2","fileEntryId":"1398114","resourcePrimKey":"1398134","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/TerryMiller-Crains-blog_0823.png/087a4f66-8780-eb81-4d0f-66014c236ab2?t=1696264083023","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="tvfwdmtr" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"","name":"TerryMiller-Crains-blog_0823.png","width":"","description":"","title":"TerryMiller-Crains-blog_0823.png","type":"document","uuid":"087a4f66-8780-eb81-4d0f-66014c236ab2","fileEntryId":"1398114","resourcePrimKey":"1398134","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/TerryMiller-Crains-blog_0823.png/087a4f66-8780-eb81-4d0f-66014c236ab2?t=1696264083023","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="crwqwmwb" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Diversity Chief Named Among 2023 Notable Leaders in DEI by Crain’s Chicago Business]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="ellepilh" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="sghzzdcu" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Diversity means it takes all kinds to succeed. </p><p>But it takes a one-of-a-kind leader to ensure that inclusion is the foundation of everything the Illinois Tollway does to achieve that success. </p><p>That leader is Terry Miller, who was recognized by Crain’s Chicago Business as one its <a target="_blank" href="https://www.chicagobusiness.com/notables/crains-notable-leaders-dei-2023">notable leaders in diversity, equity and inclusion</a>. </p><p>As chief of the Tollway Department of Diversity and Strategic Development, Terry is responsible for overseeing a staff administering impactful diversity programs and initiatives that are achieving greater inclusion and access to economic opportunity for small, diverse and veteran-owned firms in construction, professional engineering services and the supply of goods and services. </p><p>The Tollway’s Move Illinois capital program is being delivered in a way that fosters inclusion of diverse firms and individuals and reflects the rich diversity of the communities served by the Tollway. In 2022, the Tollway spent more than $262 million for work performed by small and diverse firms – the second highest total in the past five years. </p><p>“The Tollway Board and I are committed to cultivating a diverse, equitable and inclusive culture where our employees and the businesses we work with are well-positioned to make valuable contributions to the success of the agency,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. “Terry Miller consistently carries out this vision by growing and improving our diversity outreach to create greater opportunities for all firms and individuals from historically underrepresented groups.”</p><p>Terry led his team to expand the Illinois Tollway Small Business Initiative through which select construction contracts, generally with values of $5 million or less, are identified exclusively for small businesses to perform as prime contractors and subcontractors. </p><p>As a result of this effort, today, more than 200 firms are registered in this initiative, of which about 70 percent are disadvantaged or veteran-owned businesses and the Tollway has awarded more than $80 million in small business contracts since 2021. In addition, small business contracts include general liability coverage for on-site activities through an innovative Rolling Owner-Controlled Insurance Program, removing a critical barrier to participation for small businesses.</p><p>Terry has devoted his career to addressing complex diversity, regulatory and commercial contracting matters. He currently serves as an adjunct law school faculty member for his alma mater, DePaul University Law School, where he lectures on diversity certified supplier engagement, minority professional services contracting and serves as officer and director of engagement initiatives. Terry also volunteers with the Wills for Heroes Foundation, providing legal documents free of charge to first responders, including wills, living wills and powers of attorney, and the Political Asylum and Immigrants’ Rights Pro Bono Project, which provides legal services to immigrants and refugees fleeing persecution abroad. </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="ubpxofgt" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2023-10-02]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Diversity Chief Named Among 2023 Notable Leaders in DEI by Crains Chicago Business
Display date: 2023-10-02
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<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="qzptkihw" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Showcases Trade and Engineering Careers to Area High School Students ","name":"HS_blog.jpg","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway Showcases Trade and Engineering Careers to Area High School Students ","title":"HS_blog.jpg","type":"document","uuid":"a367b785-b0fc-54e2-f70b-117509d810cb","fileEntryId":"1397544","resourcePrimKey":"1397564","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/HS_blog.jpg/a367b785-b0fc-54e2-f70b-117509d810cb?t=1696020528180","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="dnlytqou" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Showcases Trade and Engineering Careers to Area High School Students ","name":"HS_blog.jpg","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway Showcases Trade and Engineering Careers to Area High School Students ","title":"HS_blog.jpg","type":"document","uuid":"a367b785-b0fc-54e2-f70b-117509d810cb","fileEntryId":"1397544","resourcePrimKey":"1397564","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/HS_blog.jpg/a367b785-b0fc-54e2-f70b-117509d810cb?t=1696020528180","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="nisfqyum" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Showcases Trade and Engineering Careers to Area High School Students]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="hkdfggai" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="vyztdgfg" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>One of the priorities for the Illinois Tollway is building the pipeline of a qualified and talented workforce, encouraging students to consider future options in the trades and engineering.</p><p>The Illinois Tollway hosted about 120 students from area high schools September 26 for a boots-on-the-ground experience at some of our major construction work at the I-490 Tollway Project, and, for the first time, at our roadway maintenance sites in Alsip and Bensenville. </p><p>“Giving students access to real-world engineering and construction work right in their own backyards is the best way to inspire their ambitions and see opportunities available for potential careers,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. “It’s essential to have our talented staff engage with the next generation and introduce them to not only employment opportunities in the transportation industry, but also career opportunities at the Illinois Tollway.” </p><p>Career options at the Illinois Tollway include a variety of trades -- carpenters who build roadway signs, electricians who install lights, mechanics who tune up fleet vehicles and roadway maintenance workers who keep the roads clean and assist emergency responders whenever there’s an incident – as well engineers who design roads and bridges. </p><p>Students currently enrolled trades-related coursework and engineering from Foreman College and Career Academy, Ombudsman Chicago South High School, Chicago Vocational Career Academy, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. College Preparatory High School, Simeon Career Academy and Elk Grove High School met with Tollway engineering and industry professionals who gave students an overview of our project and work sites and discussed the various roles people play in building or maintaining roads and bridges. </p><p>And, of course, safety – on the job and as drivers – was highlighted at all locations. </p><p>Hands-on activities made the visits more fun and engaging for all participants. Students visiting the I-490 Tollway Project tested their skills at estimating the time and resources necessary to complete a project. At the maintenance sites, students had the chance to try their hand at creating messages for portable changeable message signs, which inform motorists of construction activity, driving conditions and special events that can impact traffic.</p><p>These on-site experiences at the Illinois Tollway give students food for thought as they chart their career paths, knowing there are great jobs in the transportation industry available for them right at home. </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="omwglayy" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2023-09-29]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Showcases Trade and Engineering Careers to Area High School Students
Display date: 2023-09-29
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<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="hfmjettr" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway and Illinois State Police to Offer Kids Identification and Safety Seat Event September 30 in Tinley Park","name":"KISS-Tinley-Park-blog_0523.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway and Illinois State Police to Offer Kids Identification and Safety Seat Event September 30 in Tinley Park","title":"KISS-Tinley-Park-blog_0523.png","type":"journal","uuid":"911ab565-6277-3435-a97f-780f5d0642d5","fileEntryId":"1396556","resourcePrimKey":"1396554","url":"/documents/924058/1396555/KISS-Tinley-Park-blog_0523.png/911ab565-6277-3435-a97f-780f5d0642d5?t=1695653994123","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="ikioqlnj" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway and Illinois State Police to Offer Kids Identification and Safety Seat Event September 30 in Tinley Park","name":"KISS-Tinley-Park-blog_0523 (1).png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway and Illinois State Police to Offer Kids Identification and Safety Seat Event September 30 in Tinley Park","title":"KISS-Tinley-Park-blog_0523 (1).png","type":"journal","uuid":"71a0b461-dadd-0652-ed33-4d29f4c675c8","fileEntryId":"1396565","resourcePrimKey":"1396554","url":"/documents/924058/1396555/KISS-Tinley-Park-blog_0523%20%281%29.png/71a0b461-dadd-0652-ed33-4d29f4c675c8?t=1695653994162","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="nlfpoljk" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway and Illinois State Police to Offer Kids Identification and Safety Seat Event September 30 in Tinley Park]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="lnmgsarf" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="frloovso" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Helping parents keep their children safe every trip, every time, the Illinois Tollway and Illinois State Police Troop 15 are hosting a free Kids’ Identification and Safety Seat (K.I.S.S.) event on Saturday, September 30, in partnership with the Tinley Park Police Department in Tinley Park.</p><p>“K.I.S.S. events are a quick, easy and fun way for parents to protect their children by having safety seats inspected to ensure they are properly installed and by picking up free ID cards for their youngsters,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. “Safety is always our highest priority and this event helps parents keep their children safe when they’re on the road or in their own communities.”<br /> <br />On September 30, the final K.I.S.S. event of 2023 will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Tinley Park Police Department, 7750 W. 183rd Street in Tinley Park. </p><p>Highlights include: <br />• Free child safety seat inspections and installations and free identification cards for children ages 3 and older. <br />• Touch-a-truck display featuring hands-on exploration of a Tollway H.E.L.P. truck and snowplow.</p><p><strong>2023 KISS Event Information</strong></p><p><strong>1 – Find an event near you. </strong><br />To make it easy and fun for parents and children alike, K.I.S.S. events will be held at convenient locations along the 294-mile Illinois Tollway system. A complete list is available on the Tollway’s website at illinoistollway.com. </p><p><strong>2 – Make sure your child’s safety seat is properly installed.</strong><br />Certified child passenger safety technicians inspect child safety seats and help parents and caregivers with proper installation. Some of the more common problems Troop 15 certified inspectors pinpoint include child facing the wrong direction, too much slack in harness straps, not properly securing the car seat, improper child restraint for the child’s weight and the need for booster seats for older children. </p><p><strong>3 – Get a photo ID card for your child. </strong><br />Specially trained professionals take photographs and fingerprints of children 3 and older and gather vital information to include on an ID card that parents and caregivers can reference in an emergency. If a child gets lost, an up-to-date, good-quality photo along with fingerprints and descriptive information can help law enforcement locate the child. </p><p>“We rely on K.I.S.S. events to help educate parents and caregivers about the importance of using properly sized and installed safety seats to protect young children when they’re traveling,” said Captain Linda Mandat, Troop 15 Commander. “Providing parents with a kids ID card also helps protect children by allowing authorities to more easily locate and identify a missing or lost child.” </p><p>Illinois law requires that all children under age 8 must be properly secured in an appropriate child restraint system when riding in a vehicle with family or other caregivers. In addition, children under age 2 years are required by Illinois law to ride in rear-facing seats to protect their developing bones and muscles, unless the child weighs 40 or more pounds or is 40 or more inches tall.<br /> <br />Properly installed child safety seats save lives and significantly reduce injuries in the event of a crash. Yet, Illinois State Police find that as many as 90 percent of child safety seats they inspect are improperly installed. </p><p><strong>About the Illinois Tollway</strong><br />The Illinois Tollway is a user-fee system that receives no state or federal funds for maintenance and operations. The agency maintains and operates 294 miles of roadways in 12 counties in Northern Illinois, including the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355), the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80) and the Illinois Route 390 Tollway.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="gedyesfz" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2023-09-25]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway and Illinois State Police to Offer Kids Identification and Safety Seat Event September 30 in Tinley Park
Display date: 2023-09-25
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<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="ywdnvfup" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway and Illinois State Police to Offer Kids Identification and Safety Seat Event September 23 in Libertyville","name":"KISS-Lambs-Farm-blog_0523.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway and Illinois State Police to Offer Kids Identification and Safety Seat Event September 23 in Libertyville","title":"KISS-Lambs-Farm-blog_0523.png","type":"document","uuid":"1f8b4be2-860f-6880-6df1-cb77c766252b","fileEntryId":"1395187","resourcePrimKey":"1395207","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/KISS-Lambs-Farm-blog_0523.png/1f8b4be2-860f-6880-6df1-cb77c766252b?t=1695049493259","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="dlrqedao" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway and Illinois State Police to Offer Kids Identification and Safety Seat Event September 23 in Libertyville","name":"KISS-Lambs-Farm-blog_0523.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway and Illinois State Police to Offer Kids Identification and Safety Seat Event September 23 in Libertyville","title":"KISS-Lambs-Farm-blog_0523.png","type":"document","uuid":"1f8b4be2-860f-6880-6df1-cb77c766252b","fileEntryId":"1395187","resourcePrimKey":"1395207","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/KISS-Lambs-Farm-blog_0523.png/1f8b4be2-860f-6880-6df1-cb77c766252b?t=1695049493259","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="lhctwpgg" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway and Illinois State Police to Offer Kids Identification and Safety Seat Event September 23 in Libertyville]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="onplzhsh" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="esmutzco" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Helping parents keep their children safe every trip, every time, the Illinois Tollway and Illinois State Police Troop 15 are hosting a free Kids’ Identification and Safety Seat (K.I.S.S.) event on Saturday, September 23, at Lambs Farm in Libertyville. The event coincides with National Seat Check Saturday, part of a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration effort to educate parents and caregivers to ensure their children are secured in the correct car seat for the child’s age, height and weight. </p><p>“K.I.S.S. events are a quick, easy and fun way for parents to protect their children by having safety seats inspected to ensure they are properly installed and by picking up free ID cards for their <br />youngsters,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. “Safety is always our highest priority and this event helps parents keep their children safe when they’re on the road or in their own communities.”<br /> <br />On September 23, the K.I.S.S. event will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Lambs Farm in Libertyville, 24245 W. Rockland Road. No admission is required to participate in the K.I.S.S. event, which take <br />place outside the Farmyard, Petting Area and Discovery Center on the west side of the main driveway. </p><p>Highlights include: </p><ul><li>Free child safety seat inspections and installations and free identification cards for children ages 3 and older.</li><li>Touch-a-truck display featuring hands-on exploration of a Tollway H.E.L.P. truck and snowplow.</li><li>Trooper Cooper, a talking, child-sized Illinois State Police car that offers simple safety tips to toddlers and young children.</li></ul><p>Lambs Farm stores and shops are available without an admission fee. Daily admission for the Farmyard, Petting Area and Discovery Center is $5 and children under the age of 2 are free.</p><p>2023 KISS Event Information</p><ol><li>Find an event near you. To make it easy and fun for parents and children alike, K.I.S.S. events will be held at convenient locations along the 294-mile Illinois Tollway system. A complete list is available on the Tollway’s website at illinoistollway.com. </li><li>Make sure your child’s safety seat is properly installed. Certified child passenger safety technicians inspect child safety seats and help parents and caregivers with proper installation. Some of the more common problems Troop 15 certified inspectors pinpoint include child facing the wrong direction, too much slack in harness straps, not properly securing the car seat, improper child restraint for the child’s weight and the need for booster seats for older children. </li><li>Get a photo ID card for your child. Specially trained professionals take photographs and fingerprints of children 3 and older and gather vital information to include on an ID card that parents and caregivers can reference in an emergency. If a child gets lost, an up-to-date, good-quality photo along with fingerprints and descriptive information can help law enforcement locate the child.</li></ol><p>“We rely on K.I.S.S. events to help educate parents and caregivers about the importance of using properly sized and installed safety seats to protect young children when they’re traveling,” said Captain Linda Mandat, Troop 15 Commander. “Providing parents with a kids ID card also helps protect children by allowing authorities to more easily locate and identify a missing or lost child.”</p><p>Illinois law requires that all children under age 8 must be properly secured in an appropriate child restraint system when riding in a vehicle with family or other caregivers. In addition, children under age 2 years are required by Illinois law to ride in rear-facing seats to protect their developing bones and muscles, unless the child weighs 40 or more pounds or is 40 or more inches tall. Properly installed child safety seats save lives and significantly reduce injuries in the event of a crash. Yet, Illinois State Police find that as many as 90 percent of child safety seats they inspect are improperly installed. </p><p><strong>About the Illinois Tollway</strong><br />The Illinois Tollway is a user-fee system that receives no state or federal funds for maintenance and operations. The agency maintains and operates 294 miles of roadways in 12 counties in Northern Illinois, including the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355), the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80) and the Illinois Route 390 Tollway.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="szvsozaq" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2023-09-18]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway and Illinois State Police to Offer Kids Identification and Safety Seat Event September 23 in Libertyville
Display date: 2023-09-18
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<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="lewkndrl" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Teams With Industry Partners To Host Digital Construction Contractor Training Workshop","name":"20230913 LOCAL150_blog.jpg","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway Teams With Industry Partners To Host Digital Construction Contractor Training Workshop","title":"20230913 LOCAL150_blog.jpg","type":"document","uuid":"d9769bab-58f9-54cd-3612-31d353afd985","fileEntryId":"1394591","resourcePrimKey":"1394612","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/20230913%20LOCAL150_blog.jpg/d9769bab-58f9-54cd-3612-31d353afd985?t=1694720529659","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="luuyfuxd" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Teams With Industry Partners To Host Digital Construction Contractor Training Workshop","name":"20230913 LOCAL150_blog.jpg","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway Teams With Industry Partners To Host Digital Construction Contractor Training Workshop","title":"20230913 LOCAL150_blog.jpg","type":"document","uuid":"d9769bab-58f9-54cd-3612-31d353afd985","fileEntryId":"1394591","resourcePrimKey":"1394612","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/20230913%20LOCAL150_blog.jpg/d9769bab-58f9-54cd-3612-31d353afd985?t=1694720529659","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="smqqlrvr" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Teams With Industry Partners To Host Digital Construction Contractor Training Workshop]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="jawbgnqy" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="wiawblml" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The digital revolution is accelerating in the heavy highway construction industry and the Illinois Tollway is making sure that smaller firms aren’t steamrolled by the changes. </p><p>The Illinois Tollway is defining requirements not only for construction, but also setting requirements in design and letting to aid in the collection of digital data. </p><p>To ensure that no construction firm is left behind, the Tollway joined forces with its contractors, equipment and software manufacturers and labor partners to conduct a Digital Construction Contractor Training Workshop at the Local 150 training center in Wilmington. </p><p>“As technology advances, it’s important that we empower firms of all sizes and types to gain the knowledge, skills and hands-on experience necessary to expand their capabilities and remain competitive,” said Illinois Tollway Chief Engineering Officer Manar Nashif. “This workshop provides these firms the tools they need to adopt innovative technologies that improve efficiencies, reduce costs or deliver better, more sustainable facilities for our customers.” </p><p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UkTd9B6RP3Y?si=xCEjDDQwEo9zo_8A" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p><p>The Illinois Tollway is at the forefront of developing Building Information Modeling (BIM) and the use of digital files throughout the life cycle of project – from concept, design and construction to asset management. The Tollway has adopted these digital technologies as the new standard in construction to make building roads and bridges more efficient and with greater precision while reducing costs throughout the life cycle of a facility. </p><p>BIM allows users to create, view and share comprehensive 3D models with an entire project team to plan, design, construct, operate, maintain and manage any project on their laptops, tablets and smartphones – replacing traditional paper plans with “digital blueprints.” </p><p>At the same time, the Tollway is making sure that small and diverse firms have opportunities to learn how to use these cutting-edge technologies and network with established firms and product specialists in the digital construction field. </p><p>As part of its efforts to advance the adoption of new technologies, the Tollway created its Emerging Technologies Initiative to provide access to mentoring and training by large construction contractors, union partners and equipment manufacturers on various technologies such as 3D grading for earthwork, automated machine guidance for grading and CCTV camera installation. The goal is to increase and strengthen the number of firms available to perform work on more complex projects. </p><p>“The impact that training and in-the-field experience have on emerging businesses cannot be overstated,” said Illinois Tollway Chief of Diversity and Strategic Development Terry Miller. “The ability to hear from product specialists, train with cutting-edge equipment and network with your peers in the construction industry is priceless.”</p><p>Nearly 60 industry professionals participated in the workshop, which was conducted at the Local 150 training center in the City of Wilmington. Located about 20 minutes south of Joliet, the 342,00-square-foot facility features 30 classrooms, a 200-seat auditorium, construction materials testing lab, nearly 200 pieces of heavy equipment and an equipment simulator lab. </p><p>The workshop kicked off with classroom training on the various software applications and equipment currently in use. Later, participants received hands-on training with field equipment, including a real-time simulator to provide firsthand experience using sophisticated technologies such as a GPS rover, drone and stringless paver. </p><p>The Illinois Tollway thanks all the contractors, vendors and industry partners who participated in the digital workshop and Local 150 for hosting the event. </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="lxycmrmy" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2023-09-14]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Teams With Industry Partners To Host Digital Construction Contractor Training Workshop
Display date: 2023-09-14
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<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="todziocj" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Uses Giant Crane to Lift Massive Beams into Place on I-294 Bridge","name":"202309 Crane for blog.png.jpg","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway Uses Giant Crane to Lift Massive Beams into Place on I-294 Bridge","title":"202309 Crane for blog.png","type":"document","uuid":"fa4931fd-749f-b978-74e8-e270ef2d4909","fileEntryId":"1392627","resourcePrimKey":"1392664","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/202309%20Crane%20for%20blog.png.jpg/fa4931fd-749f-b978-74e8-e270ef2d4909?t=1694112833592","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="fqagiubw" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Uses Giant Crane to Lift Massive Beams into Place on I-294 Bridge","name":"202309 Crane for blog.png.jpg","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway Uses Giant Crane to Lift Massive Beams into Place on I-294 Bridge","title":"202309 Crane for blog.png","type":"document","uuid":"fa4931fd-749f-b978-74e8-e270ef2d4909","fileEntryId":"1392627","resourcePrimKey":"1392664","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/202309%20Crane%20for%20blog.png.jpg/fa4931fd-749f-b978-74e8-e270ef2d4909?t=1694112833592","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="brbpbjfy" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Uses Giant Crane to Lift Massive Beams into Place on I-294 Bridge]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="vfzavfih" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="smatfeku" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>It takes skill and specialized equipment to gently lift beams weighing up to 89 tons and measuring up to 145 feet long into place on a bridge the Illinois Tollway is building as part of its $4 billion reconstruction of the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294).<br /> <br />To make the job even more complex, the beams had to be carefully raised into place over Union Pacific Railroad tracks and Metra tracks, while minimizing any interruptions to rail service on the train tracks.<br /> <br />That’s why the Tollway brought in the super-sized Liebherr LR 1500 crawler crane, which has a boom that can stretch more than 500 feet long to safely handle the heavy lifting needed to construct the bridge.<br /> <br />The long reach of the 600-ton crane—for this project its boom length was about 260 feet—was critical because it allowed the crane to be assembled on I-294 near the south bridge abutment, where it could still reach and safely lift the hefty beams needed to complete the northern and southern spans of the bridge.<br /> <br />Placing the crane up on the roadway and using its extended boom to do the heavy lifting, instead of on the ground below near the five UP railroad tracks, kept the bridge work moving without unduly slowing rail traffic.<br /> <br />The massive crane began working on the bridge earlier this year, raising 16 beams into place on the new bridge south of O’Hare International Airport before completing its work in mid-July. <br /> <br />The work is part of the project to widen and reconstruct 22 miles of I-294 between Balmoral Avenue in Rosemont and 95th Street in Oak Lawn, while also reconfiguring major interchanges with the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88) and I-290. Once completed, the project will ease traffic congestion, improve safety and increase access to local communities along I-294.<br /> <br />Transporting the machine to the work site was a complex job in itself, requiring about 35 semi-tractor trailers to haul the crane, boom, counterweights and the crawler tracks that allow it to propel itself into position to raise the beams. <br /> <br />But once it was assembled, the crane more than pulled its own weight: Even the heavy beams needed for the bridge were no match for the crane’s 550-ton lifting capacity.<br /> <br />While it was the first time the super-sized crane has been used by the Tollway during its 15-year Move Illinois capital program, it may not be the last time. With work still proceeding on the new I-490 Tollway and the $4 billion Central Tri-State Tollway Project, engineers may still bring the crane back for an encore.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="ebzrojqz" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2023-09-07]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Uses Giant Crane to Lift Massive Beams into Place on I-294 Bridge
Display date: 2023-09-07
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="vyfgiinv" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Gasperec Elberts Consulting Designs a Bright Future with Assistance From Illinois Tollways Partnering For Growth Program","name":"Gasperec_Blog.jpg","width":"","description":"Gasperec Elberts Consulting Designs a Bright Future with Assistance From Illinois Tollways Partnering For Growth Program","title":"Gasperec_Blog.jpg","type":"document","uuid":"ae280fb1-007b-f701-e054-af22b0f77852","fileEntryId":"1390611","resourcePrimKey":"1390631","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/Gasperec_Blog.jpg/ae280fb1-007b-f701-e054-af22b0f77852?t=1693403909514","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="raqqyvjn" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"","name":"Gasperec_Blog.jpg","width":"","description":"","title":"Gasperec_Blog.jpg","type":"document","uuid":"ae280fb1-007b-f701-e054-af22b0f77852","fileEntryId":"1390611","resourcePrimKey":"1390631","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/Gasperec_Blog.jpg/ae280fb1-007b-f701-e054-af22b0f77852?t=1693403909514","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="bdagefss" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Gasperec Elberts Consulting Designs a Bright Future with Assistance From Illinois Tollway's Partnering For Growth Program]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="dorlwcqq" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="apykdhvl" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>After launching a small engineering firm in 2017, Lisa Gasperec and her business partner, Megan Elberts, landed several contracts with the Illinois Tollway, working as subconsultants on projects that helped their four-person firm begin to grow.<br /> <br />But they were still working to win their first Tollway job as a prime when they learned in 2021 of a new Tollway initiative designed to offer more opportunities for small and diverse businesses to manage projects as prime contractors while still providing them with any needed assistance.<br /> <br />The Partnering for Growth Program reverse partnerships allow smaller firms to serve as prime consultants and contractors on agency contracts by partnering them with larger, more experienced firms they can turn to for any help they may need to complete the work required in the contract.</p><p><br /><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YPc2wh2-2h4?si=y-yfJYT28qiQFBLg" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />“This was something different and exciting we wanted to try,” said Gasperec, a civil engineer, recalling how she and Elberts believed the initiative provided them a new way to achieve their goal of working as a prime consultant on a Tollway project.<br /> <br />It turned out to be a good decision – their firm, Gasperec Elberts Consulting, later that year won a $3 million Tollway contract to serve as a prime consultant providing systemwide construction management services. As part of that contract, their firm brought in a larger, more established business, TranSystems Inc., to serve as both mentor and subconsultant and to provide any guidance or direction Gasperec might need. <br /> <br />“By participating in a reverse partnership, I’ve been able to understand all the expectations of the Tollway, whether it’s technical work, outreach, or working with contractors and various municipalities.” Gasperec said, recounting how her firm has overseen repair work on Tollway bridges and roadway lighting. “The most recent work order we have on that contract is a repair project on three bridges. As a result of the reverse mentor-protégé relationship with Lou Beugnet of TransSystems, I’m able to manage that one on my own, knowing all the details of running a Tollway project.”<br /> <br />Their success with that contract is part of a path that has seen Gasperec Elberts Consulting take on work with the Tollway and other agencies, growing from a small start-up into a thriving small business with 17 full-time employees, providing construction management and design services for roadway and bridge projects across Northern Illinois.<br /> <br />Gasperec credits some of their growth to working with the Illinois Tollway—since opening its doors the firm has worked as a subcontractor on seven Tollway contracts, as well as its winning its first prime contract.<br /> <br />“I think the Tollway is a big proponent of small businesses and women-owned firms like ours, and I think it’s played a big role in our growth,” Gasperec said.<br /> <br />She’s pleased with the results of her company’s participation in the Partnering for Growth Program, both as a subconsultant on previous contracts and in her current prime mentorship. Gasperec Elberts has served as a subcontractor on three Tollway contracts as part of the Partnering for Growth Program.<br /> <br />The Illinois Tollway’s Partnering for Growth Program encourages prime consultants and contractors to assist firms, and firms in remaining self-sufficient, competitive and profitable businesses. The program pairs smaller, diverse businesses with mentoring firms that have experience doing Tollway projects, helping them gain experience in following Tollway protocols while also learning new skills along the way. Launched in 2007, the program has been expanded to support construction firms, professional engineering services firms and most recently the reverse mentorship opportunities for small firms to work as primes. Altogether, about 50 firms participating in the program have advanced from subs to primes on Tollway contracts.<br /> <br />Adding reverse mentoring opportunities to the Partnering for Growth Program is “a twist on an already successful concept,” and has already led to more than 10 reverse partnerships, said Terry Miller, Chief of Diversity and Strategic Development for the Illinois Tollway.<br /> <br />“We’re all delighted when a small firm gets it first job as a prime,” Miller added, “but we need to leverage that to their advantage so they can learn something--not only just how to be a prime, how to execute at a high level--but maybe a chance to learn something that they haven’t learned before.”<br /> <br />That’s where an experienced subconsultant or subcontractor plays a role, providing instruction in technical or management skills the prime consultant hasn’t yet mastered.<br /> <br />“Even though they’re a subconsultant, these larger firms can still allow the small prime for the first time to actually learn something about an area where they wouldn’t have robust experience,” Miller said. “It gives them a chance to learn something new, while also serving as the prime, which means they’re in charge.”<br /> <br />For Gasperec, a key benefit of the program has been helping her become more familiar with the agency procedures she is required to follow and the Tollway staff she works with to keep her projects on schedule. But it’s also been helpful in working within the Tollway’s online e-Builder system to manage construction and design projects.<br /> <br />“The program has really helped me understand who the key players are at the Tollway so that when an issue comes up during construction that has to be solved at a moment’s notice I can now call those people,” Gasperec said. “By knowing the key people at the Tollway, issues can be resolved quickly to keep the construction schedule moving and everyday activities keep moving along to finish the project.”<br /> <br />Looking ahead, she’d like to have her firm serve as a mentor to another small business in the Partnering for Growth Program.<br /> <br />As we continue to grow and move forward, I’d love to be a mentor,” Gasperec said. “I think my almost 30 years of experience is helpful and I love training young engineers.”</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="curfvqxw" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2023-08-31]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Gasperec Elberts Consulting Designs a Bright Future with Assistance From Illinois Tollways Partnering For Growth Program
Display date: 2023-08-31
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="xucirceo" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Tolling Industry Professionals From Across The Country Meet At Illinois Tollway To Advance National Tolling Interoperability ","name":"Natl Interoperability-blog_0823.png","width":"","description":"Tolling Industry Professionals From Across The Country Meet At Illinois Tollway To Advance National Tolling Interoperability ","title":"Natl Interoperability-blog_0823.png","type":"document","uuid":"595fdf36-b7c3-21bf-724d-94a5c3e32fbf","fileEntryId":"1390476","resourcePrimKey":"1390496","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/Natl%20Interoperability-blog_0823.png/595fdf36-b7c3-21bf-724d-94a5c3e32fbf?t=1693398433400","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="pmacrmgi" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Tolling Industry Professionals From Across The Country Meet At Illinois Tollway To Advance National Tolling Interoperability ","name":"Natl Interoperability-blog_0823.png","width":"","description":"Tolling Industry Professionals From Across The Country Meet At Illinois Tollway To Advance National Tolling Interoperability ","title":"Natl Interoperability-blog_0823.png","type":"document","uuid":"595fdf36-b7c3-21bf-724d-94a5c3e32fbf","fileEntryId":"1390476","resourcePrimKey":"1390496","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/Natl%20Interoperability-blog_0823.png/595fdf36-b7c3-21bf-724d-94a5c3e32fbf?t=1693398433400","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="ecjqbyye" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Tolling Industry Professionals From Across The Country Meet At Illinois Tollway To Advance National Tolling Interoperability]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="gwcbtelx" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="ixztbrnq" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Imagine I-PASS as an “all-access” pass on your travels on any toll road, tunnel or bridge from coast to coast. </p><p>It may take several more years to make it a reality, but the tolling industry continues working toward national tolling interoperability, making all toll systems compatible with one another. </p><p>“Nationwide interoperability will provide I-PASS customers a seamless network for fast, safe and convenient travel wherever they go,” said Illinois Tollway Chief of Business Systems Michael Catolico. “With one transponder mounted properly on their windshield, customers will have the assurance that their tolls are being paid whether they’re driving in New York, Texas, California or any place in between.” </p><p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/514dq21Rvog?si=1hIGeQ4dP3m5zcYu" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" tabindex="0"></iframe></p><p>I-PASS already can be used anywhere E-ZPass is accepted, including Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Minnesota and 14 other states primarily out east. And efforts are underway to make I-PASS and E-ZPass compatible with more toll facilities west of the Mississippi and throughout Canada. </p><p>To further these efforts, a group of about 75 toll agency and industry professionals from across the country gathered in-person and virtually at the Illinois Tollway on August 22 to discuss ways to extend national interoperability. Members of this group have worked for years to establish the technical, operational and business strategies necessary to make national interoperability possible. </p><p>A longtime goal for the tolling industry, national interoperability has gained steam in recent years as more toll agencies transition to cashless tolling. More advanced tolling technologies have helped to overcome many of the challenges that faced the industry, allowing tolling equipment to connect with different tolling systems. The Illinois Tollway back-office system, for example, has the flexibility and scalability to integrate multiple tolling facility partners while, at the same time, handling more than 2.6 million toll transactions daily on the 294-mile Tollway system. </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="znbhjkwx" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2023-08-30]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Tolling Industry Professionals From Across The Country Meet At Illinois Tollway To Advance National Tolling Interoperability
Display date: 2023-08-30
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="csmvebew" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":1390222,"groupId":"20184","name":"LaborDay-email blog_0823.png","alt":"Illinois Tollway Encourages Drivers to be Prepared for Labor Day Holiday Weekend Travel","title":"LaborDay-email blog_0823.png","type":"document","uuid":"f13fdca6-74ae-6cf0-f27d-dde2a7f8da49","fileEntryId":"1390222","resourcePrimKey":"1390242"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="lhxagber" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":1390222,"groupId":"20184","name":"LaborDay-email blog_0823.png","alt":"Illinois Tollway Encourages Drivers to be Prepared for Labor Day Holiday Weekend Travel","title":"LaborDay-email blog_0823.png","type":"document","uuid":"f13fdca6-74ae-6cf0-f27d-dde2a7f8da49","fileEntryId":"1390222","resourcePrimKey":"1390242"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="ifpoooiz" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Encourages Drivers to be Prepared for Labor Day Holiday Weekend Travel]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="jddcvsmt" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="yckraoqc" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<h2>7.7 million vehicles expected to travel Friday through Tuesday</h2><p>The Illinois Tollway is encouraging drivers traveling over the Labor Day holiday weekend to make sure their I-PASS and Pay By Plate accounts are ready to go when they take to the road for end-of-summer trips.</p><p>The Illinois Tollway expects 7.7 million vehicles will travel on its 294-mile system from Friday, September 1, through Tuesday, September 5. The heaviest travel is anticipated on Friday, September 1, when more than 1.9 million vehicles are expected on the road. On an average day, about 1.5 million vehicles use the Tollway.</p><p>“The Illinois Tollway offers drivers a variety of services to help provide safe and efficient travel on the Tollway system as they head out for one last summer road trip of the year,” said Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. “We want our customers to be prepared as they travel this Labor Day weekend.”</p><p>I-PASS and Pay By Plate customers are encouraged to sign up for account service notifications by text messages via SMS. Sign up is quick and easy by logging into accounts on either www.getipass.com or The Official Tollway App and updating your profile. </p><p>The Illinois Tollway's SMS texts quickly let you know when it’s time to check on your account and avoid issues that could result in service disruptions and even additional fees.<br /> <br /><strong>Friends and family visiting? Renting a car? </strong><br />Any vehicle can be added to your I-PASS account or Pay By Plate service within 14 days of travel to avoid fines and fees, including short-term rental cars and the vehicles of family and friends. Just remember to add your dates of travel for rental cars. It’s easy to ensure your list of vehicles is up to date – just snap a pic to add new plates using the Official Illinois Tollway App. </p><p><strong>Call for roadside assistance if needed </strong><br />Call *999 to get help from Tollway roadway maintenance crews or from Illinois State Police Troop 15 who patrol the Tollway system 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Motorist aid patrols stand ready to help stranded customers change tires, jump-start batteries, add coolant, dispense fuel, transport customers, move vehicles away from traffic and call for a tow truck. </p><p><strong>Be prepared for construction work zones </strong><br />The Illinois Tollway will suspend most temporary maintenance and construction lane closures from noon on Friday, September 1, through 9 a.m. on Tuesday, September 5. However, construction may continue in existing work zones to keep work on schedule for ongoing Illinois Tollway construction projects. Tollway drivers can expect to see ongoing work: </p><p>Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80)</p><ul><li>On I-294 between Wolf Road and 75th Street, traffic shifts in both directions with counterflow lanes throughout the Central Tri-State corridor. Watch for signage indicating changing traffic patterns.</li><li>On I-294, the ramps from westbound I-290 to northbound I-294, from northbound I-294 to westbound Roosevelt Road and westbound Roosevelt Road to southbound I-294 are closed and detours are posted. In addition, the ramp connecting eastbound I-88 to both northbound I-294 and westbound I-290 is reduced to a single lane.</li></ul><p>Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355)</p><ul><li>Between Maple Avenue and Ogden Avenue traffic is shifted to the outside. </li><li>At the I-88 Interchange, the ramps carrying westbound I-88 traffic to northbound I-355 and southbound I-355 traffic to eastbound I-88 are reduced.</li></ul><p>Work zone speed limits are in effect in all construction zones 24/7 and drivers should continue to watch for changing traffic patterns and use caution, especially when workers are present. Remember to stay focused, slow down and watch for changes in traffic patterns in place to provide safe access for drivers in work zones.</p><p><strong>About the Illinois Tollway</strong><br />The Illinois Tollway is a user-fee system that receives no state or federal funds for maintenance and operations. The agency maintains and operates 294 miles of roadways in 12 counties in Northern Illinois, including the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355), the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80) and the Illinois Route 390 Tollway.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="cxwbzkcl" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2023-08-29]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Encourages Drivers to be Prepared for Labor Day Holiday Weekend Travel
Display date: 2023-08-29
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="axgyztkq" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Tollway supervisor lends helping hand with after-hours volunteer food deliveries","name":"Velasco_Blog.jpg","width":"","description":"Tollway supervisor lends helping hand with after-hours volunteer food deliveries","title":"Velasco_Blog.jpg","type":"document","uuid":"6e965002-c8e9-97fd-8cba-9a6156725c20","fileEntryId":"1387358","resourcePrimKey":"1387378","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/Velasco_Blog.jpg/6e965002-c8e9-97fd-8cba-9a6156725c20?t=1692808544231","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="devvhiaw" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Tollway supervisor lends helping hand with after-hours volunteer food deliveries","name":"Velasco_Blog.jpg","width":"","description":"Tollway supervisor lends helping hand with after-hours volunteer food deliveries","title":"Velasco_Blog.jpg","type":"document","uuid":"6e965002-c8e9-97fd-8cba-9a6156725c20","fileEntryId":"1387358","resourcePrimKey":"1387378","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/Velasco_Blog.jpg/6e965002-c8e9-97fd-8cba-9a6156725c20?t=1692808544231","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="qeocsufx" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Tollway supervisor lends helping hand with after-hours volunteer food deliveries]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="efaogyqd" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="lljtjshs" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Working as supervisor at the Illinois Tollway’s M-14 maintenance site keeps Mike Velasco busy, but he still manages to find time for what’s become almost a second career—collecting and delivering food and other essentials to people in need.<br /> <br />“I’ll help out whenever I have some spare time, whenever I can lend a hand, whether it’s after work on weekdays or on the weekends,” said Velasco, a 31-year veteran of the Tollway.<br /> <br />He spends about 10 hours weekly volunteering with the River of Life organization, typically helping collect surplus food donated by grocery stores, then delivering it to churches, food pantries and community organizations across the Chicago area.<br /><br /><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mtP-a6uQvHI" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br />His work with the organization is actually a family activity—his father-in-law, Russ Pratali, started the charity about 40 years ago as a way to help people who are facing hunger or need assistance obtaining household items like furniture or mattresses.<br /> <br />After marrying his wife, Jill, more than 20 years ago, Velasco began volunteering because he wanted to be part of the work his father-in-law’s organization was doing.<br /> <br />“My wife said, ‘my dad has this charity, do you want to help him out?’” Velasco recalled. “I had an idea of what he was doing, then when I wen to see the whole operation I was very impressed.”<br /> <br />Velasco started his Tollway career as an equipment operator/laborer working on the road, doing maintenance tasks, snow plowing and assisting stranded drivers. <br /> <br />“I joined the Tollway fresh out of high school and I found it very interesting,” he said. “I figured out I enjoy helping people, whether it’s when I’m working or volunteering.”<br /> <br />He views his after-hours work as just another way to help people who need assistance.<br /> <br />“The emotion that goes through me when we’re helping someone who needs assistance is very fulfilling,” Velasco said. “When you’re giving back to the community--and to see it going directly to the people who need help--it really is very rewarding.”<br /> <br />About 90 percent of the work the organization does is to provide food assistance, Velasco said, describing how he and other volunteers will travel to several different grocery stores—including chain stories operated by Whole Foods, Mariano’s and Trader Joe’s—to pick up surplus or out-of-date food the stores are donating. <br /> <br />“We usually pull up to a dock, fill up our van with different goods and then we take that around to different charities, primarily churches, who distribute it to the people in their communities who need it,” Velasco said. <br /> <br />At times, they’ll collect other needed items, including donated clothing, furniture or mattresses to help distribute.<br /> <br />That work takes them all across Chicago and the suburbs, even occasionally into southern Wisconsin. He likes that River of Light works closely with other charitable groups, sometimes pooling resources or dividing up trips to local organizations they’re assisting.<br /> <br />And meeting people who have benefitted from the aid provided by River of Light provides makes his efforts feel worthwhile. <br /> <br />“I’ve met people who received food or other assistance, I have seen people grow through it,” Velasco said. “I’m glad we’re able to do something like this. It makes me feel good to know we helped.”<br /> <br />Other family members have also gotten involved in the work, including his wife and their three children, who range in age from 21 to 9 years old.<br /> <br />“They’ve all gone out on runs with us,” he said. “It’s fulfilling, even to a teenager.”<br /> <br />His volunteer work has also prompted to start thinking about a second career after he eventually leaves the Tollway.<br /> <br />“I can see myself retiring and one day taking this over because it is satisfying,” Velasco said. “Unfortunately, there’s a lot of people who need help. But there’s a lot of helpful people out there and a lot of food that needs to be distributed.”</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="gzrwvqlj" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2023-08-23]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Tollway supervisor lends helping hand with after-hours volunteer food deliveries
Display date: 2023-08-23
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="tbexmlyf" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Connects With Black Business At Annual Illinois State Black Chamber Of Commerce Convention ","name":"BlackChamber-blog_0823.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway Connects With Black Business At Annual Illinois State Black Chamber Of Commerce Convention ","title":"BlackChamber-blog_0823.png","type":"document","uuid":"bfa08684-9907-6be8-be6d-369383f6d042","fileEntryId":"1387286","resourcePrimKey":"1387306","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/BlackChamber-blog_0823.png/bfa08684-9907-6be8-be6d-369383f6d042?t=1692800269301","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="ahyzrjgc" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Connects With Black Business At Annual Illinois State Black Chamber Of Commerce Convention ","name":"BlackChamber-blog_0823.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway Connects With Black Business At Annual Illinois State Black Chamber Of Commerce Convention ","title":"BlackChamber-blog_0823.png","type":"document","uuid":"bfa08684-9907-6be8-be6d-369383f6d042","fileEntryId":"1387286","resourcePrimKey":"1387306","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/BlackChamber-blog_0823.png/bfa08684-9907-6be8-be6d-369383f6d042?t=1692800269301","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="hzxdlmeo" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Connects With Black Business At Annual Illinois State Black Chamber Of Commerce Convention]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="uvzaqzaq" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="abwlkphm" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois State Black Chamber of Commerce calls its annual convention each August “a treasure trove of connections waiting to be explored” and the Illinois Tollway went all-out to tap into that wealth of connections. <br /> <br />“The Illinois State Black Chamber of Commerce convention is an ideal place for the Illinois Tollway to find talented entrepreneurs and innovative businesses provide valuable goods and services,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. “We offer contract opportunities not only for construction and professional engineering services, but also for providers of goods and services specifically for small and diverse businesses.” <br /> <br />Chief Engineering Officer Manar Nashif and Chief of Procurement Pete Foernssler joined Tollway staff last week in East Peoria to participate in a dozen one-on-one matchmaking sessions, a panel discussion on how to do business with state agencies and talking to dozens of attendees at its exhibit table throughout the course of the two-day convention. <br /> <br />The annual Illinois Black Chamber convention attracts hundreds of representatives of African American-owned firms, including engineering, architecture and construction firms, as well as IT and various trades. The purpose is to provide African American entrepreneurs and established businesses with the resources and information they need to grow and succeed. </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="lsntpkbc" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2023-08-23]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Connects With Black Business At Annual Illinois State Black Chamber Of Commerce Convention
Display date: 2023-08-23
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<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="vltxhxqh" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Deploys Hot Weather Patrols to Assist Customers During Dangerous Heat Wave","name":"202308 Hot weather patrol.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway Deploys Hot Weather Patrols to Assist Customers During Dangerous Heat Wave","title":"202308 Hot weather patrol.png","type":"document","uuid":"1c505ae6-7dab-152d-7a84-35bbb99f48cc","fileEntryId":"1386772","resourcePrimKey":"1386923","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/202308%20Hot%20weather%20patrol.png/1c505ae6-7dab-152d-7a84-35bbb99f48cc?t=1692725077347","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="rfyfhzsc" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Deploys Hot Weather Patrols to Assist Customers During Dangerous Heat Wave","name":"202308 Hot weather patrol.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway Deploys Hot Weather Patrols to Assist Customers During Dangerous Heat Wave","title":"202308 Hot weather patrol.png","type":"document","uuid":"1c505ae6-7dab-152d-7a84-35bbb99f48cc","fileEntryId":"1386772","resourcePrimKey":"1386923","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/202308%20Hot%20weather%20patrol.png/1c505ae6-7dab-152d-7a84-35bbb99f48cc?t=1692725077347","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="hmiacton" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Deploys Hot Weather Patrols to Assist Customers During Dangerous Heat Wave]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="ckdbzgon" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="lxygjyln" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Additional 24-hour road patrols bolster H.E.L.P. trucks and State Police Troop 15</p><p>The Illinois Tollway is launching around-the-clock Hot Weather Patrols to more quickly locate and assist customers stranded along its roads during the dangerously high temperatures and humidity expected to continue through Thursday.</p><p>The Illinois Tollway typically operates special Hot Weather Patrols whenever temperatures or heat indexes indicate conditions could be hazardous for stranded drivers. The 24-hour patrols search for drivers stranded in disabled vehicles and respond to calls that come in to *999 motorist assistance, Illinois Tollway dispatch or Illinois State Police Troop 15.</p><p>“To better protect our customers during the dangerously hot conditions expected this week, we’re adding these additional patrols to ensure we’re able to rapidly find and aid any drivers who are stranded along our roads or need other assistance,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. “Launching Hot Weather Patrols is part of our commitment to safety and provides another layer of protection so drivers whose cars have become disabled can quickly get out of the heat and obtain the assistance they need to reach their destinations.” </p><p>While the Illinois Tollway’s Highway Emergency Lane Patrol (H.E.L.P.) trucks sponsored by Geico run from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday, a minimum of 12 Hot Weather Patrols are providing additional coverage around the clock through Thursday to augment H.E.L.P. trucks and Illinois State Police patrols. </p><p>The Hot Weather Patrols consist of crew cab trucks equipped with arrow boards for directing traffic around stranded vehicles and can accommodate passengers if motorists need to get out of the heat or be transported to a Tollway maintenance garage or Tollway oasis while service is obtained.</p><p>The Hot Weather Patrols typically assist drivers whose cars or trucks have been disabled by empty fuel tanks, flat tires, batteries needing a boost, or overheated radiators.<br /> <br /><strong>Summer Travel Tips</strong><br />The Tollway offers the following travel tips to keep safe during summer weather:</p><ul><li>Cell phone users should call *999 motorist assistance for roadway assistance and note the roadway and direction of travel and nearest milepost or crossroad.</li><li>Stranded motorists should turn on their emergency lights and remain with their vehicles until help arrives. </li><li>Keep your tires properly inflated. Driving on under-inflated tires can cause tires to overheat and increase the likelihood of a blowout, especially when road temperatures are extremely high.</li><li>Make sure fluids are at appropriate levels. Most engine fluids lubricate and serve as coolants by helping carry heat away from critical components. Low fluid levels reduce the cooling effect and increase the possibility of overheating.</li><li>Keep an emergency kit in your vehicle that includes water, non-perishable food items, jumper cables, a flashlight with extra batteries, road flares or an emergency beacon, basic hand tools and a first aid kit.</li><li>Drop It and Drive. Using a hand-held phone while driving is illegal in Illinois.</li><li>Give Them Distance. Drivers are required to slow down and move over when approaching any stopped vehicle that has its hazard lights activated.</li></ul><p>The Illinois Tollway also reminds customers that oases located along the Tollway system provide drivers an opportunity to check their vehicles or simply take a break. The oases provide a variety of food, beverage and retail offerings, as well as 7-Eleven stores and fuel stations. On the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80), there are two oases with over-the-road pavilions at Lake Forest and the Chicago Southland Lincoln in South Holland and 7-Eleven stores and fuel stations at Hinsdale and O’Hare. There are also oases with pavilions on the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88) in DeKalb and on the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) in Belvidere.<br /> <br /><strong>About the Illinois Tollway</strong><br />The Illinois Tollway is a user-fee system that receives no state or federal funds for maintenance and operations. The agency maintains and operates 294 miles of roadways in 12 counties in Northern Illinois, including the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355), the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80) and the Illinois Route 390 Tollway.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="avmnpyuv" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2023-08-22]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Deploys Hot Weather Patrols to Assist Customers During Dangerous Heat Wave
Display date: 2023-08-22
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<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="plqbcgai" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway and Illinois State Police Offer Kids Identification and Safety Seat Event August 26 in Oak Lawn","name":"KISS-Oak-Lawn-social_0523.jpg.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway and Illinois State Police Offer Kids Identification and Safety Seat Event August 26 in Oak Lawn","title":"KISS-Oak-Lawn-social_0523.jpg","type":"document","uuid":"021f86d4-5123-a40b-b1c7-97d5554f7f73","fileEntryId":"1385847","resourcePrimKey":"1385867","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/KISS-Oak-Lawn-social_0523.jpg.png/021f86d4-5123-a40b-b1c7-97d5554f7f73?t=1692629527501","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="tdajhetd" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway and Illinois State Police Offer Kids Identification and Safety Seat Event August 26 in Oak Lawn","name":"KISS-Oak-Lawn-social_0523.jpg.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway and Illinois State Police Offer Kids Identification and Safety Seat Event August 26 in Oak Lawn","title":"KISS-Oak-Lawn-social_0523.jpg","type":"document","uuid":"021f86d4-5123-a40b-b1c7-97d5554f7f73","fileEntryId":"1385847","resourcePrimKey":"1385867","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/KISS-Oak-Lawn-social_0523.jpg.png/021f86d4-5123-a40b-b1c7-97d5554f7f73?t=1692629527501","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="rhqhipot" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway and Illinois State Police Offer Kids Identification and Safety Seat Event August 26 in Oak Lawn]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="uunvocun" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="hcaqvjtq" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Free safety seat checks and kids ID cards at K.I.S.S. event at the Children’s Museum in Oak Lawn<br /> <br />Helping parents keep their children safe every trip, every time, the Illinois Tollway and Illinois State Police Troop 15 are hosting a free Kids’ Identification and Safety Seat (K.I.S.S.) event on Saturday, August 26, at the Children’s Museum in Oak Lawn.<br /> <br />“K.I.S.S. events are a quick, easy and fun way for parents to protect their children by having safety seats inspected to ensure they are properly installed and by picking up free ID cards for their youngsters,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. “Safety is always our highest priority and this event helps parents keep their children safe when they’re on the road or in their own communities.”<br /> <br />On August 26, the K.I.S.S. event will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Children’s Museum in Oak Lawn, 5100 Museum Drive. Families attending the K.I.S.S. event will receive a voucher for one free admission to the museum. No admission is required to participate in the K.I.S.S. event. Highlights include: </p><ul><li>Free child safety seat inspections and installations and free identification cards for children ages 3 and older. </li><li>Touch-a-truck display featuring hands-on exploration of a Tollway H.E.L.P. truck and snowplow.</li><li>Trooper Cooper, a talking, child-sized Illinois State Police car that offers simple safety tips to toddlers and young children.</li></ul><p> <br /><strong>2023 KISS Event Information</strong><br /> <br /><strong>1 – Find an event near you. </strong><br />To make it easy and fun for parents and children alike, K.I.S.S. events will be held at convenient locations along the 294-mile Illinois Tollway system. A complete list is available on the Tollway’s website at illinoistollway.com. <br /> <br /><strong>2 – Make sure your child’s safety seat is properly installed.</strong><br />Certified child passenger safety technicians inspect child safety seats and help parents and caregivers with proper installation. Some of the more common problems Troop 15 certified inspectors pinpoint include child facing the wrong direction, too much slack in harness straps, not properly securing the car seat, improper child restraint for the child’s weight and the need for booster seats for older children. <br /> <br /><strong>3 – Get a photo ID card for your child. </strong><br />Specially trained professionals take photographs and fingerprints of children 3 and older and gather vital information to include on an ID card that parents and caregivers can reference in an emergency. If a child gets lost, an up-to-date, good-quality photo along with fingerprints and descriptive information can help law enforcement locate the child. <br /> <br />“We rely on K.I.S.S. events to help educate parents and caregivers about the importance of using properly sized and installed safety seats to protect young children when they’re traveling,” said Captain Linda Mandat, Troop 15 Commander. “Providing parents with a kids ID card also helps protect children by allowing authorities to more easily locate and identify a missing or lost child.” <br /> <br />Illinois law requires that all children under age 8 must be properly secured in an appropriate child restraint system when riding in a vehicle with family or other caregivers. In addition, children under age 2 years are required by Illinois law to ride in rear-facing seats to protect their developing bones and muscles, unless the child weighs 40 or more pounds or is 40 or more inches tall.<br /> <br />Properly installed child safety seats save lives and significantly reduce injuries in the event of a crash. Yet, Illinois State Police find that as many as 90 percent of child safety seats they inspect are improperly installed. <br /> <br /><strong>About the Illinois Tollway</strong><br />The Illinois Tollway is a user-fee system that receives no state or federal funds for maintenance and operations. The agency maintains and operates 294 miles of roadways in 12 counties in Northern Illinois, including the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355), the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80) and the Illinois Route 390 Tollway.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="jzikfufw" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2023-08-21]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway and Illinois Tollway State Police Offer Kids Identification and Safety Seat Even August 26 in Oak Lawn
Display date: 2023-08-21
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="hpyyrbto" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois State Police Troop 15 Takes First Place in Traffic Safety Challenge ","name":"TSCBreakfast-blog_0823.png","width":"","description":"Illinois State Police Troop 15 Takes First Place in Traffic Safety Challenge ","title":"TSCBreakfast-blog_0823.png","type":"document","uuid":"042f8f9b-f4bc-e105-0f80-37c6713f820d","fileEntryId":"1385617","resourcePrimKey":"1385637","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/TSCBreakfast-blog_0823.png/042f8f9b-f4bc-e105-0f80-37c6713f820d?t=1692367678104","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="eesezted" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois State Police Troop 15 Takes First Place in Traffic Safety Challenge ","name":"TSCBreakfast-blog_0823.png","width":"","description":"Illinois State Police Troop 15 Takes First Place in Traffic Safety Challenge ","title":"TSCBreakfast-blog_0823.png","type":"document","uuid":"042f8f9b-f4bc-e105-0f80-37c6713f820d","fileEntryId":"1385617","resourcePrimKey":"1385637","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/TSCBreakfast-blog_0823.png/042f8f9b-f4bc-e105-0f80-37c6713f820d?t=1692367678104","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="apyesfhv" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois State Police Troop 15 Takes First Place in Traffic Safety Challenge]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="cqmxxfls" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="srpaycpz" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway congratulates Illinois State Police Troop 15 for bringing home top honors in the annual Illinois Traffic Safety Challenge. <br /> <br />Troop 15, the troop that patrols the Illinois Tollway system, was awarded first place in the 2022/2023 challenge. <br /> <br />It was recognized for its approach and effectiveness in carrying out its highway safety programs, which are based on policies and procedures related to the vigorous enforcement of speed, occupant restraint, impaired driving and distracted driving laws. <br /> <br />“Congratulations to Illinois State Police Troop 15 on this well-deserved recognition,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. “Troop 15 plays a vital role in keeping our customer safe through its tireless commitment to the enforcement of traffic safety laws.” <br /> <br />Hosted by the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police, the annual Traffic Safety Challenge is a friendly competition among Illinois law enforcement agencies. The challenge highlights work police are doing in local communities to identify traffic issues and implement strategies to reduce crashes and related deaths and injuries. <br /> <br />Agencies are evaluated based on their enforcement initiatives, innovative problem-solving, public information activities and policies that support their traffic enforcement campaigns. <br /> <br />“The Traffic Safety Challenge highlights the combined contributions of Troop 15 and the Illinois Tollway and our shared dedication to traffic safety and enforcement,” said Troop 15 Captain Linda Mandat. “This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our troopers in carrying out our mission to ensure the safety of motorists on the Tollway system.” </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="octbvxsk" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2023-08-18]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois State Police Troop 15 Takes First Place in Traffic Safety Challenge
Display date: 2023-08-18
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="ppobrdma" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Shares Expertise On Safety Service Patrols Fiber Optics At International Industry Workshop","name":"Maulik-Mednis-IBTTA-blog_0823.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway Shares Expertise On Safety Service Patrols Fiber Optics At International Industry Workshop","title":"Maulik-Mednis-IBTTA-blog_0823.png","type":"document","uuid":"b3f8e6a5-ecc9-b9a0-7bce-063cb144b2b9","fileEntryId":"1385543","resourcePrimKey":"1385564","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/Maulik-Mednis-IBTTA-blog_0823.png/b3f8e6a5-ecc9-b9a0-7bce-063cb144b2b9?t=1692290634491","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="rzaznmwh" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Shares Expertise On Safety Service Patrols Fiber Optics At International Industry Workshop","name":"Maulik-Mednis-IBTTA-blog_0823.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway Shares Expertise On Safety Service Patrols Fiber Optics At International Industry Workshop","title":"Maulik-Mednis-IBTTA-blog_0823.png","type":"document","uuid":"b3f8e6a5-ecc9-b9a0-7bce-063cb144b2b9","fileEntryId":"1385543","resourcePrimKey":"1385564","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/Maulik-Mednis-IBTTA-blog_0823.png/b3f8e6a5-ecc9-b9a0-7bce-063cb144b2b9?t=1692290634491","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="pcfsygzh" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Shares Expertise On Safety Service Patrols, Fiber Optics At International Industry Workshop]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="thgaetoi" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="cbedlhjm" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The International Bridge, Tunnel & Turnpike Association’s annual Maintenance, Engineering and Roadway Operations Workshop is the place to be for industry professionals to take a deep dive into the tools and techniques that make roadway facilities more efficient, organizations better prepared and roadways safer.<br /> <br />The Illinois Tollway had two of its experts on hand at the workshop to talk about innovations related to safety service patrols and the use of rights-of-way to provide solutions to industries other than transportation. <br /> <br />Safety service patrols, such as the Tollway Highway Emergency Lane Patrol (H..E.L.P.) trucks, are a popular service to help keep customers safe whenever there’s an incident or need for emergency roadside assistance. <br /> <br />But keeping H.E.L.P. truck operators safe is just as important. <br /> <br />Mednis, the deputy chief of traffic and incident management, detailed how the Tollway has established policies and procedures to ensure the safety of H.E.L.P. truck operators when they’re assisting customers.<br /> <br />For every incident, operators must first call in to Dispatch to provide information on the vehicle stopped and its location. Dispatch makes sure the vehicle isn’t reported stolen or registered to someone who may be wanted or missing. Dispatch either gives an “all clear” or advises the operator to leave immediately while an Illinois State Police trooper is dispatched to the scene. Similar precautions are taken anytime a H.E.L.P. truck operator transports stranded customers. <br /> <br />The efficient use of resources is another way the Tollway adds value to the communities it serves. <br /> <br />Throughout the 294-mile Tollway system is a vast network of fiber optics that includes 2,000 miles of duct and 48,000 miles of fiber-optic cable that forms a critical backbone for the high-speed transmission of data to support tolling, information technology and smart technology operations. <br /> <br />Maulik Kholakiya, the project manager responsible for the Tollway’s fiber-optics network, explained how this fiber network is also leased to various utilities, internet providers, telecom carriers, universities and other government agencies. There are, in fact, more than 180 active lease agreements. <br /> <br />The Tollway continues to expand its fiber-optic network through its Move Illinois capital program as demand for digital technologies grows both on the Tollway system and in communities surrounding the Tollway system. These enhancements will continue to meet the Tollway’s operational requirements and create further revenue opportunities through third-party lease agreements. <br /> <br />The <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ibtta.org/">IBTTA Maintenance, Engineering and Roadway Operations Workshop</a> held July 29 through August 1 in Nashville, brings together maintenance and facility operations professionals from around the world to share information on tools and techniques to help make roadway facilities more efficient, organizations better prepared and roadways safer.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="eneeolcf" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2023-08-17]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Shares Expertise On Safety Service Patrols Fiber Optics At International Industry Workshop
Display date: 2023-08-17
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="kiwmhkep" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Hundreds Turn Out To Support Fallen State Troopers And Their Families","name":"motorcycle_blog.jpg","width":"","description":"Hundreds Turn Out To Support Fallen State Troopers And Their Families","title":"motorcycle_blog.jpg","type":"document","uuid":"e73601a7-2e72-c3a1-0788-684b35d33283","fileEntryId":"1377450","resourcePrimKey":"1377470","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/motorcycle_blog.jpg/e73601a7-2e72-c3a1-0788-684b35d33283?t=1689692265740","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="mhzjtpeq" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Hundreds Turn Out To Support Fallen State Troopers And Their Families","name":"motorcycle_blog.jpg","width":"","description":"Hundreds Turn Out To Support Fallen State Troopers And Their Families","title":"motorcycle_blog.jpg","type":"document","uuid":"e73601a7-2e72-c3a1-0788-684b35d33283","fileEntryId":"1377450","resourcePrimKey":"1377470","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/motorcycle_blog.jpg/e73601a7-2e72-c3a1-0788-684b35d33283?t=1689692265740","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="crmpmlph" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Hundreds Turn Out To Support Fallen State Troopers And Their Families]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="imkzegjs" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="xyfsppbt" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The annual Illinois State Police Lt. Rich Kozik Memorial Park Motorcycle and Fun Car Run on Saturday, July 15, attracted a couple hundred motorcycle riders and began with a brief memorial ceremony at the Illinois Tollway headquarters in Downers Grove. <br /> <br />“The Illinois Tollway appreciates the work of Illinois State Police to keep our roadways safe for customers,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. “This annual ride serves to honor the memory of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to others and we are proud to be part of it.” <br /> <br />The Illinois Tollway welcomes the event each year in support of its own Illinois State Police District, Troop 15, which patrols the Tollway system and serves the safety needs of Tollway customers. <br /> <br />Lieutenant Rich Kozik served the Illinois State Police for 19 years, including working in Troop 15. He combined his passion for motorcycles with his dedication to the Illinois State Police by coming up with the idea for a motorcycle run to raise funds for the Memorial Park, which began in 2008. The run was named in his honor after he passed away while on duty in 2018. <br /> <br />This year, the ride took a different route than the usual run to Springfield. Riders started at Tollway headquarters and met up with other groups in Morris and LaSalle before reaching their destination in Elburn for dinner, live music, raffles and a silent auction. <br /> <br />The annual fundraiser supports the Illinois State Police Heritage Foundation Memorial Park, a 1.5-acre memorial tribute to fallen troopers that serves as a place of solace for their families, friends and colleagues. Located in Springfield, the park emphasizes the Illinois State Police core values of integrity, service and pride through inscriptions on various park features such as sculptures, statues and monuments.<br /> <br />Visit the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.isphf.org/">ISP Heritage Foundation website</a> to learn more about the Memorial Wall and ways to support the foundation. </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="uwdvcfar" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2023-07-18]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Hundreds Turn Out To Support Fallen State Troopers And Their Families
Display date: 2023-07-18
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="gylanqyn" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway environmental manager named among 2023 Notable Leaders in Sustainability by Crains Chicago Business","name":"BryanWagner-Crains-blog_0723.jpg","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway environmental manager named among 2023 Notable Leaders in Sustainability by Crains Chicago Business","title":"BryanWagner-Crains-blog_0723.jpg","type":"document","uuid":"3e9f6cdd-fb08-fde3-1a8e-5b5be6d660ed","fileEntryId":"1376900","resourcePrimKey":"1377220","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/BryanWagner-Crains-blog_0723.jpg/3e9f6cdd-fb08-fde3-1a8e-5b5be6d660ed?t=1689618278348","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="ykcgjtsw" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway environmental manager named among 2023 Notable Leaders in Sustainability by Crains Chicago Business","name":"BryanWagner-Crains-blog_0723.jpg","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway environmental manager named among 2023 Notable Leaders in Sustainability by Crains Chicago Business","title":"BryanWagner-Crains-blog_0723.jpg","type":"document","uuid":"3e9f6cdd-fb08-fde3-1a8e-5b5be6d660ed","fileEntryId":"1376900","resourcePrimKey":"1377220","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/BryanWagner-Crains-blog_0723.jpg/3e9f6cdd-fb08-fde3-1a8e-5b5be6d660ed?t=1689618278348","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="sqfjifhy" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway environmental manager named among 2023 Notable Leaders in Sustainability by Crain’s Chicago Business]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="rzbjuxiw" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="saibyzbn" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>It’s only natural that Bryan Wagner would make Crain’s Chicago Business list of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.chicagobusiness.com/notables/crains-notable-leaders-sustainability-2023">Notable Leaders in Sustainability</a>. </p><p>As the environmental policy and program manager for the Illinois Tollway, he is responsible for leading numerous environmental initiatives designed to preserve and protect natural resources throughout the 12 counties in Northern Illinois served by the 294-mile Tollway system as part of the $14 billion Move Illinois capital program. </p><p>“Congratulations to Bryan Wagner for being recognized by Crain’s for his profound impact on protecting the environment,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. “Bryan embodies the Tollway’s commitment to making environmental responsibility and sustainability part of everything we do and we are fortunate to have him as an advocate for the protection and preservation of our natural resources.” </p><p>Bryan leads a small staff of three environmental professionals in managing a broad range of Tollway efforts related to wetland mitigation, noise mitigation, stormwater management, chloride reduction and landscaping improvements. He also coordinates agency relationships with local, state and federal regulatory agencies, facilitates partnerships with environmental advocacy organizations and enlists research institutions to support the Tollway’s Sustainability Policy. </p><p>One example of Bryan’s recent accomplishments is ongoing tree-planting efforts as part of the Tollway’s Landscape Master Plan, which continues even after the goal was reached in late 2021 to plant the equivalent of 58,000 trees. </p><p>Over the course of the Move Illinois Program, Bryan has directed the restoration and preservation of more than 750 acres of land, construction of nearly 70 miles of bioswales throughout the Tollway system and completion of numerous mitigation projects in partnership with local forest preserve districts. He also guides stormwater management and chloride reduction practices that have improved water quality for the region. </p><p>When he’s not protecting the environment, Bryan focuses his spare time on volunteering at his children’s schools, coaching soccer and enjoying all the various playgrounds our natural world provides. </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="wnbszkyw" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2023-07-17]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway environmental manager named among 2023 Notable Leaders in Sustainability by Crains Chicago Business
Display date: 2023-07-17
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="oobmsfmy" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Reaches Out to South Suburban Church Community to Promote ConstructionWorks","name":"CW-RecruitmentInfo-blog_0723.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway Reaches Out to South Suburban Church Community to Promote ConstructionWorks","title":"CW-RecruitmentInfo-blog_0723.png","type":"document","uuid":"e7860750-0af8-2f1e-e2e6-c5a7f9a2994c","fileEntryId":"1376714","resourcePrimKey":"1376734","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/CW-RecruitmentInfo-blog_0723.png/e7860750-0af8-2f1e-e2e6-c5a7f9a2994c?t=1689332167986","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="ndmjdbgt" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"","name":"CW-RecruitmentInfo-blog_0723.png","width":"","description":"","title":"CW-RecruitmentInfo-blog_0723.png","type":"document","uuid":"e7860750-0af8-2f1e-e2e6-c5a7f9a2994c","fileEntryId":"1376714","resourcePrimKey":"1376734","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/CW-RecruitmentInfo-blog_0723.png/e7860750-0af8-2f1e-e2e6-c5a7f9a2994c?t=1689332167986","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="tujcpehm" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Reaches Out to South Suburban Church Community to Promote ConstructionWorks]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="gzzwzqah" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="ehuangbs" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway and its workforce development partners reached out this week to a south suburban Chicago church community to promote career opportunities in highway construction through ConstructionWorks.</p><p>The event at Victory Apostolic Church in Matteson attracted a mix of aspiring trades workers looking to launch new careers and experienced tradespeople looking for new opportunities. </p><p>“The investments we’re making in our transportation infrastructure are creating opportunities for historically underrepresented men and women to find great jobs in the highway construction field,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. “ConstructionWorks provides a pathway to careers that allow people to support their families, put their children through college and contribute to the local economy in their own communities.” </p><p>ConstructionWorks is an innovative program that creates a qualified pipeline of diverse men and women ready to enter careers in the heavy highway and related construction industry. The program is operated by the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership, which provides job training, support, placement and retention services through a vast network of more than 90 locations in the region. </p><p>Chief of Diversity and Strategic Development Terry Miller, his staff and representatives from the Partnership detailed how ConstructionWorks helps people not only find jobs, but provides a wide range of support services including transportation, child care, work apparel and tools, as well as union exam preparation, job training, resume development and interview tips. The Tollway scheduled two sessions, one in the afternoon and one in the evening, to provide flexible options for job-seekers. </p><p class="xmsonospacing">For the Tollway, promoting its workforce development programs through faith-based organizations helps fill a need for a skilled, diverse workforce necessary to deliver the billions in infrastructure improvements coming to the Chicago region in the coming decade, including mega-projects such as reconstruction of the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) and building the new I-490 Tollway.</p><p class="xmsonospacing">Late last year, the Tollway introduced ConstructionWorks to a church community on Chicago’s South Side. Based on the success of that event, the Tollway has brought ConstructionWorks to other area churches to promote career opportunities in the construction industry – good-paying, high-demand jobs such as equipment operators, electricians, iron workers and cement masons.</p><p class="xmsonospacing">“The Illinois Tollway is committed to removing barriers to participation and leveling the playing field in this critical industry,” said Miller. “Because, at the end of the day, we want the men and women delivering our capital program to reflect the rich diversity of the communities we serve.” </p><p class="xmsonospacing">Interested in a career in the construction industry? Visit the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/doing-business/diversity-development/programs/constructionworks">ConstructionWorks page</a> on the Illinois Tollway website. </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="mjcmsoap" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2023-07-14]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Reaches Out to South Suburban Church Community to Promote ConstructionWorks
Display date: 2023-07-14
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="pjxzfcea" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway and Illinois State Police Operation Kid Offers Family Fun and Safety Event July 8 in Aurora","name":"KISS-Fox-Valley-blog_0523.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway and Illinois State Police Operation Kid Offers Family Fun and Safety Event July 8 in Aurora","title":"KISS-Fox-Valley-blog_0523.png","type":"document","uuid":"8253ecf4-1e26-ed69-43d7-41847a357fb0","fileEntryId":"1372976","resourcePrimKey":"1372996","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/KISS-Fox-Valley-blog_0523.png/8253ecf4-1e26-ed69-43d7-41847a357fb0?t=1688577747915","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="mwdsviti" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway and Illinois State Police Operation Kid Offers Family Fun and Safety Event July 8 in Aurora","name":"KISS-Fox-Valley-blog_0523.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway and Illinois State Police Operation Kid Offers Family Fun and Safety Event July 8 in Aurora","title":"KISS-Fox-Valley-blog_0523.png","type":"document","uuid":"8253ecf4-1e26-ed69-43d7-41847a357fb0","fileEntryId":"1372976","resourcePrimKey":"1372996","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/KISS-Fox-Valley-blog_0523.png/8253ecf4-1e26-ed69-43d7-41847a357fb0?t=1688577747915","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="wxbmfdqd" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway and Illinois State Police Operation Kid Offers Family Fun and Safety Event July 8 in Aurora]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="gvfbraja" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="nkzrpohv" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Helping parents keep their children safe every trip, every time, the Illinois Tollway and Illinois State Police Troop 15 are hosting a free Kids’ Identification and Safety Seat (K.I.S.S.) event on Saturday, July 8, at the Prisco Community Center in Aurora. </p><p>“K.I.S.S. events are a quick, easy and fun way for parents to protect their children by having safety seats inspected to ensure they are properly installed and by picking up free ID cards for their youngsters,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. “Safety is always our highest priority and this event helps parents keep their children safe when they’re on the road or in their own communities.”<br /> <br />On July 8, the K.I.S.S. event in Aurora will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Fox Valley Park District’s Prisco Community Center, 150 W. Illinois Avenue. Highlights include:</p><ul><li>Free child safety seat inspections and installations and free identification cards for children ages 3 and older. </li><li>Touch-a-truck display featuring hands-on exploration of a Tollway H.E.L.P. truck, snowplow and emergency vehicles from local police and fire departments.</li><li>Trooper Cooper, a talking, child-sized Illinois State Police car that offers simple safety tips to toddlers and young children.</li><li>McCullough Park adjacent to the community center and features a playground, small picnic shelter open space, and a walking path connected to the Fox River Trail.</li></ul><p><strong>2023 KISS Event Information</strong></p><p>1 – Find an event near you. <br />To make it easy and fun for parents and children alike, K.I.S.S. events will be held at convenient locations along the 294-mile Illinois Tollway system. A complete list is available on the Tollway’s website at illinoistollway.com. </p><p>2 – Make sure your child’s safety seat is properly installed.<br />Certified child passenger safety technicians inspect child safety seats and help parents and caregivers with proper installation. Some of the more common problems Troop 15 certified inspectors pinpoint include child facing the wrong direction, too much slack in harness straps, not properly securing the car seat, improper child restraint for the child’s weight and the need for booster seats for older children. </p><p>3 – Get a photo ID card for your child. <br />Specially trained professionals take photographs and fingerprints of children 3 and older and gather vital information to include on an ID card that parents and caregivers can reference in an emergency. If a child gets lost, an up-to-date, good-quality photo along with fingerprints and descriptive information can help law enforcement locate the child. </p><p>“We rely on K.I.S.S. events to help educate parents and caregivers about the importance of using properly sized and installed safety seats to protect young children when they’re traveling,” said Captain Linda Mandat, Troop 15 Commander. “Providing parents with a kids ID card also helps protect children by allowing authorities to more easily locate and identify a missing or lost child.” </p><p>Illinois law requires that all children under age 8 must be properly secured in an appropriate child restraint system when riding in a vehicle with family or other caregivers. In addition, children under age 2 years are required by Illinois law to ride in rear-facing seats to protect their developing bones and muscles, unless the child weighs 40 or more pounds or is 40 or more inches tall.<br /> <br />Properly installed child safety seats save lives and significantly reduce injuries in the event of a crash. Yet, Illinois State Police find that as many as 90 percent of child safety seats they inspect are improperly installed. </p><p><strong>About the Illinois Tollway</strong><br />The Illinois Tollway is a user-fee system that receives no state or federal funds for maintenance and operations. The agency maintains and operates 294 miles of roadways in 12 counties in Northern Illinois, including the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355), the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80) and the Illinois Route 390 Tollway.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="kpehlklf" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2023-07-05]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway and Illinois State Police Operation Kid Offers Family Fun and Safety Event July 8 in Aurora
Display date: 2023-07-05
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="nipqxeiq" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Flag at M-Site","name":"Fourth of July_0623_Blog.jpg","width":"","description":"Flag at M-Site","title":"Fourth of July_0623_Blog.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"2e1c4d43-01e3-0f16-bab1-d5ce48399db5","fileEntryId":"1371752","resourcePrimKey":"1371750","url":"/documents/924058/1371751/Fourth%20of%20July_0623_Blog.jpg/2e1c4d43-01e3-0f16-bab1-d5ce48399db5?t=1688052324922","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="hwdleytl" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"","name":"Fourth of July_0623_Blog (1).jpg","width":"","description":"","title":"Fourth of July_0623_Blog (1).jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"fcf39054-3c86-5858-e7f7-fe2a71a6f1bc","fileEntryId":"1371761","resourcePrimKey":"1371750","url":"/documents/924058/1371751/Fourth%20of%20July_0623_Blog%20%281%29.jpg/fcf39054-3c86-5858-e7f7-fe2a71a6f1bc?t=1688052324985","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="bcqdrxso" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[More than 9.2 million vehicles expected to travel the Tollway over the long Fourth of July holiday]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="htjumgcr" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="xyhsjczt" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway is urging drivers to slow down in construction work zones and avoid distracted driving when traveling this Fourth of July holiday. </p><p>The Illinois Tollway expects 9.2 million vehicles to travel the system over the five-day Fourth of July holiday weekend between Friday, June 30 and Tuesday, July 4. The heaviest travel is expected on Friday, June 30 when 1.9 million vehicles are projected to use the 294-mile Tollway system. Traffic volume is expected to be lighter than average Sunday and Monday and Tuesday. On an average day, more than 1.5 million vehicles use the Illinois Tollway.</p><p>“As drivers prepare to travel for Fourth of July weekend celebrations, we encourage all our customers to make safety a priority by staying alert, staying off their cellphones and using caution in work zones,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. “Construction is underway in many locations on the Tollway system from ongoing projects to short-term repairs, so it’s vitally important for drivers entering any work zone to slow down, eliminate distractions and focus on safety."</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/projects"><strong>Holiday Work Zones</strong></a><br />To accommodate holiday travel on the Illinois Tollway, construction activity will be restricted to better serve Tollway customers. Most temporary maintenance and construction lane closures will be suspended from noon on Friday, June 30, through 9 a.m. on Wednesday, July 5. Some work may continue behind barriers to keep work on schedule. All work is weather-dependent.</p><p>Areas where ongoing work zones may impact traffic include: </p><p><strong>Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80)</strong></p><ul><li>On I-294 between Wolf Road and 75th Street, traffic shifts are in place in both directions with counterflow lanes throughout the Central Tri-State corridor. Watch for signage indicating changing traffic patterns.</li><li>On I-294, the ramps from westbound I-290 to northbound I-294, from northbound I-294 to westbound Roosevelt Road and westbound Roosevelt Road to southbound I-294 are closed and detours are posted.</li></ul><p><strong>Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355)</strong></p><ul><li>Between Maple Avenue and Ogden Avenue traffic is shifted to the outside.</li></ul><p>Construction zone speed limits are in effect in all construction zones 24/7 and drivers should continue to watch for changing traffic patterns and use caution, especially when workers are present.</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/about/state-police"><strong>Illinois State Police Urges Responsible Driving</strong></a><br />The Illinois State Police is urging drivers to be responsible when celebrating the Fourth of July holiday by driving sober or using a designated driver. Troopers will be increasing visibility and enforcement efforts, watching for anyone driving under the influence. Drivers are encouraged to be especially vigilant and immediately report wrong way drivers by calling 9-1-1. In addition, Troopers on the Illinois Tollway will also focus on identifying traffic violations related to speeding, distracted driving and seatbelt use to help keep motorists safe.</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/unpaid-tolls"><strong>Remember to bring an I-PASS, E-ZPass or go online to Pay By Plate</strong></a> <br />While I-PASS or E-ZPass are still the best, the most cost-effective way to pay tolls on the Illinois Tollway and in 18 other states with toll roads and bridges, customers also can use the online Pay By Plate service to make sure tolls are paid in Illinois. Illinois Tollway customers have 14 days from the date of their unpaid tolls to set up the Pay By Plate service to ensure avoiding fines and fees.</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/travel-information#H.E.L.P.%20on%20the%20Illinois%20Tollway"><strong>Dial *999 for Roadway Assistance</strong></a><br />Drivers should call *999 to get help from Tollway roadway maintenance crews or from Illinois State Police Troop 15 who patrol the Tollway system 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Highway Emergency Lane Patrol (H.E.L.P.) supported by GEICO is also available to assist drivers 4 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Tollway’s motorist aid patrols stand ready to help stranded customers change tires, jump-start batteries, add coolant, dispense fuel, transport customers, move vehicles away from traffic and call for a tow truck. </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="sxfqjfrh" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2023-06-29]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
More than 9.2 million vehicles expected to travel the Tollway over the long Fourth of July holiday
Display date: 2023-06-29
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="ygzceaic" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Summer community events give adults and kids alike the chance to climb aboard an Illinois Tollway snowplow or HELP truck ","name":"20230627 Touchatruck_Blog.jpg","width":"","description":"Summer community events give adults and kids alike the chance to climb aboard an Illinois Tollway snowplow or HELP truck ","title":"20230627 Touchatruck_Blog.jpg","type":"document","uuid":"4c3e76bd-937b-b038-ead1-a91b7dac4952","fileEntryId":"1371006","resourcePrimKey":"1371026","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/20230627%20Touchatruck_Blog.jpg/4c3e76bd-937b-b038-ead1-a91b7dac4952?t=1687877931322","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="ufjtswam" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Summer community events give adults and kids alike the chance to climb aboard an Illinois Tollway snowplow or HELP truck ","name":"20230627 Touchatruck_Blog.jpg","width":"","description":"Summer community events give adults and kids alike the chance to climb aboard an Illinois Tollway snowplow or HELP truck ","title":"20230627 Touchatruck_Blog.jpg","type":"document","uuid":"4c3e76bd-937b-b038-ead1-a91b7dac4952","fileEntryId":"1371006","resourcePrimKey":"1371026","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/20230627%20Touchatruck_Blog.jpg/4c3e76bd-937b-b038-ead1-a91b7dac4952?t=1687877931322","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="ngqxasqe" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Summer community events give adults and kids alike the chance to climb aboard an Illinois Tollway snowplow or H.E.L.P. truck]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="xewywlqf" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="yuadlbry" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The first thing most people notice about Illinois Tollway snowplows is how big they are, says Roadway Maintenance Manager Joe Dragovich. <br /> <br />At 10 feet high, 12 feet wide and up to 25 feet long, the 27-ton snowplows impress children and adults alike. <br /> <br />The second thing people notice is the horn. “They find the horn pretty quickly,” Dragovich said. <br /> <br />Those snowplow horns will be getting a workout now that summer has arrived and communities throughout Northern Illinois are inviting the Illinois Tollway to be part of their local festivals and events. <br /> <br />The Illinois Tollway Roadway Maintenance division recently participated in the Midlothian Park District 70th Anniversary Bash. The Tollway has previously participated in the annual festival, which includes a touch-a-truck exhibit of police, fire and other emergency vehicles, as well as public works trucks. The Tollway brought a snowplow and a Highway Emergency Lane Patrol (H.E.L.P.) truck for a steady stream of kids to climb aboard. <br /> <br />Equipment Operator Laborers Bob Pienkowski and Courtney Dockery showed kids how to lift and move the snowplow blade, flip on the lights and say hi to their mom and dad over the H.E.L.P. truck public-address system. They also talked to guests about the roadway assistance services H.E.L.P. truck operators provide to stranded customers, such as changing tires, adding coolant and dispensing fuel. <br /> <br />Since the late 1990s, Roadway Maintenance has participated in up to 40 touch-a-truck exhibits a year. These exhibits are usually part of bigger family friendly events hosted by local communities, park districts, state legislators, social service agencies and churches and include fire trucks, police cruisers, construction equipment and other emergency vehicles. <br /> <br />On any given weekend over the summer, there may be two to four Illinois Tollway vehicles at local touch-a-truck exhibits, typically assigned by which of the 12 maintenance facilities are closest to the event. The Tollway vehicles are always accompanied by equipment operator laborers from the Roadway Maintenance division to serve as guides and experts to share their firsthand technical know-how about the vehicle and working on the road. <br /> <br />The Tollway typically brings one of its 196 snowplows or 13 H.E.L.P. trucks and allow anyone interested to hop inside and see how everything works. Depending on the availability of its trucks and space limitations on site, the Tollway might also bring out one of its channel trucks, the big yellow maintenance vehicles often used to haul barricades or signs or assist with Hot Weather Patrols or Zero Weather Road Patrols. <br /> <br />The trucks are accompanied by their operators, who point out different parts of the trucks and explain what they do. It also gives operators a chance to educate the public on safety efforts including the Move Over Law, Drop It and Drive and *999 for roadside assistance. <br /> <br />“Being a part of local events gives us an opportunity to have face-to-face conversations with people in our communities about the different services and programs we provide to keep travel safe on our roadways,” said Dragovich. “So, the next time they see a snowplow or H.E.L.P. truck driving on the Tollway, they know exactly what they’re looking at.” </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="javuzduu" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2023-06-28]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Summer community events give adults and kids alike the chance to climb aboard an Illinois Tollway snowplow or HELP truck
Display date: 2023-06-28
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="cuhjbjuf" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Recognizes Technical Assistance Program Graduates","name":"TAGRADUATION_BLOG.jpg","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway Recognizes Technical Assistance Program Graduates","title":"TAGRADUATION_BLOG.jpg","type":"document","uuid":"40c27355-0127-0470-5f34-1c363576f677","fileEntryId":"1370871","resourcePrimKey":"1370891","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/TAGRADUATION_BLOG.jpg/40c27355-0127-0470-5f34-1c363576f677?t=1687871847972","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="yemuyrjh" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Recognizes Technical Assistance Program Graduates","name":"TAGRADUATION_BLOG.jpg","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway Recognizes Technical Assistance Program Graduates","title":"TAGRADUATION_BLOG.jpg","type":"document","uuid":"40c27355-0127-0470-5f34-1c363576f677","fileEntryId":"1370871","resourcePrimKey":"1370891","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/TAGRADUATION_BLOG.jpg/40c27355-0127-0470-5f34-1c363576f677?t=1687871847972","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="taractgy" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Recognizes Technical Assistance Program Graduates]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="xvpeddoq" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="owzsydpe" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway congratulates leaders from 17 firms graduating in June from its Technical Assistance Program administered by Inner-City Underwriting Agency.<br /> <br />The business owners were recognized at a ceremony in Matteson for successfully completing a six-week estimating class that provided participants with skills that will help them submit more accurate and competitive construction-related bids.<br /> <br />“We want to congratulate these business leaders for graduating from the Illinois Tollway’s Technical Assistance Program, which provides valuable training and skills that will help them succeed as they pursue future projects and grow their firms,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. “The Tollway is committed to working with Inner-City Underwriting and other partners to offer the assistance needed to expand the pool of small and diverse firms that are qualified to compete for work on projects for the Tollway and other agencies.”<br /> <br />The Technical Assistance Program’s newest graduates include representatives of 17 firms from various industries, including electrical, landscaping, excavation, concrete and masonry work, commercial cleaning, heating and cooling, demolition and remodeling and land acquisition services. Graduates to be recognized for their accomplishments include: </p><ol><li>Bernie McNally, Brophy Excavation -- Chicago</li><li>Quentin Wainwright Sr., Kee Solutions – Rockford</li><li>Brian Ingram, La Keys Construction – Hazel Crest</li><li>Maurice Miller, Miller’s Heating and Cooling – Chicago</li><li>Ismael Alvarez, Pavement Systems – Blue Island</li><li>Richard Nichols, Plumbing Solutions – Chicago</li><li>Anna Hall, P & H Divine Plumbing – Chicago</li><li>Bridget Booker, Reign Construction Inc. – Peoria</li><li>Randy Green, RTG Electrical Corporation – South Holland </li><li>Marvin Parks, Select Development Firm – Chicago</li><li>Calvin Payne, Simply E & C – Chicago</li><li>Joyce Dye, S & M Snow Plow Corp. – Chicago</li><li>LaTonya Trotter, Synergy Development Firm – Markham</li><li>Jeanette Wright, Tomboy Construction – Oak Lawn</li><li>Donna Hurns, UNI-T Construction – Chicago</li><li>Jimmy Williams, Urban Roots – Chicago</li><li>Michael Buffington, Alpha Electrical Services LLC</li></ol><p>The Illinois Tollway Technical Assistance Program prepares emerging and established transportation-related construction firms including disadvantaged, minority- and women-owned firms, as well as veteran-owned and small businesses, to participate as prime contractors and subcontractors on highway and vertical construction contracts, including the Tollway 15-year, $14 billion Move Illinois capital program. <br /> <br />Last year, firms participating in the program submitted more than 300 bids and proposals for Tollway. As a result, firms were awarded more than $37 million in contracts, both construction and professional services in 2022 and reported creating and maintaining more than 1,300 jobs. <br /> <br />Participants in the Illinois Tollway Technical Assistance Program receive comprehensive, customized business development assistance to build financial understanding and business plan development for increased business stability and growth in the transportation-related construction industry. Services are customized to the assessed strengths, challenges and needs of participating firms. Each participant must have been in business three years or more and earn annual revenue of at least $100,000. <br /> <br />The Technical Assistance Program is administered by Inner-City Underwriting Agency Inc. and the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Technical Assistance providers are available to help construction firms and professional engineering firms interested in working on transportation-related planning and construction projects. They offer a range of services for businesses in areas across the Tollway system. These providers manage programs targeted to regional needs and objectives.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="imxhmnvh" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2023-06-27]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Recognizes Technical Assistace Program Graduates
Display date: 2023-06-27
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<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="qmkbhxom" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway 2023 Internships ","name":"Internsblog_0623.jpg","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway 2023 Internships ","title":"Internsblog_0623.jpg","type":"document","uuid":"36d60ae1-9462-a55a-4c84-b06fd869cf00","fileEntryId":"1370659","resourcePrimKey":"1370679","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/Internsblog_0623.jpg/36d60ae1-9462-a55a-4c84-b06fd869cf00?t=1687805139369","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="yeubdnlg" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"","name":"Internsblog_0623.jpg","width":"","description":"","title":"Internsblog_0623.jpg","type":"document","uuid":"36d60ae1-9462-a55a-4c84-b06fd869cf00","fileEntryId":"1370659","resourcePrimKey":"1370679","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/Internsblog_0623.jpg/36d60ae1-9462-a55a-4c84-b06fd869cf00?t=1687805139369","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="ynjyxbng" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Internships Provide Opportunities for Students to Gain Real-World Work Experiences]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="aoqugigi" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="anboadph" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway is building a pipeline of new engineers and transportation industry professionals through its internship program.<br /> <br />“We are creating opportunities for our interns to gain real-world, on-the-job experience by applying their skills to ongoing programs, projects and initiatives,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. “Illinois Tollway interns work side-by-side with some of the most knowledgeable professionals in the transportation industry, who serve as mentors and provide guidance so students can advance their careers.”<br /> <br />Interns also engage in a variety of interactive activities designed to build long-lasting relationships with their peers and mentors. <br /> <br />The Illinois Tollway 2023 internship program includes 18 interns representing 13 different colleges and universities throughout the region and beyond. Most of the interns come from in-state schools, but a few come from schools as far away as Nebraska, Missouri and North Carolina. <br /> <br />All but two of the interns are participating in the Tollway’s 10-week summer Professional Services Internship Program, which provides interns with hands-on experience working daily in one of seven different departments, including Administration, Facilities and Fleet, Finance, Information Technology, Planning, Toll Operations and Traffic and Incident Management. <br /> <br />One intern is participating in the year-long Engineering Cooperative Educational Program, which provides in-depth instruction on the three phases of a project – planning, design and construction. And one other intern is in the one-year Business Systems internship, which gives interns the opportunity to dive into transportation and public policy data projects. <br /> <br />Both paid internship programs kicked off on June 1. The summer internship ends on August 11, while the Engineering Co-Op and Business Systems internships run through May 2024. <br /> <br />“This year, we’re spending more time focusing on supporting the development of the intern and Tollway employee relationship through team-building activities and job shadowing,” said Illinois Tollway Pipeline Partnership Liaison Jyoti Rao. “We hope this leads to sustained relationships even beyond the internship.” <br /> <br />Team-building activities this year include a Lego challenge that requires teams to build a structure in an allotted time frame that other teams can readily identify and a scavenger hunt that challenges teams to identify items seen around the Central Administration building in Downers Grove. <br /> <br />The Tollway is also supporting interns with a networking event called “Do’s and Donuts” to discuss how to make the most of their internships and a health and wellness seminar to discuss the importance of workplace health matters. There also are two site visits planned to the Aurora (M-8) maintenance facility and the I-490/I-90 Interchange Project. <br /> </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="myfkmcdh" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2023-06-26]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Internships Provide Opportunities for Students to Gain Real-World Work Experiences
Display date: 2023-06-26
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="qwedjtae" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":1259857,"groupId":"20184","name":"IPASS-Assist-info-blog-v2_0621.jpg","alt":"I-PASS Assist","title":"IPASS-Assist-info-blog-v2_0621.jpg","type":"document","uuid":"c7ad1403-4fce-b163-b0af-75ab4784eccd","fileEntryId":"1259857","resourcePrimKey":"1256469"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="bdhxwndr" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":1259857,"groupId":"20184","name":"IPASS-Assist-info-blog-v2_0621.jpg","alt":"","title":"IPASS-Assist-info-blog-v2_0621.jpg","type":"document","uuid":"c7ad1403-4fce-b163-b0af-75ab4784eccd","fileEntryId":"1259857","resourcePrimKey":"1256469"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="uclzycia" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[I-PASS Assist continues to expand relief for working individuals and families]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="byrefcte" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="lmzlgbpd" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway has further expanded its I-PASS Assist program to include additional fee dismissal for low-wage working families. </p><p>“Over the last several years, the Tollway has reworked its entire model to improve the disparate impact fines and fees have on working families,” said Illinois Tollway Interim Executive Director Lanyea Griffin. “The changes we’re advancing today will help prevent working families from carrying the burden of fines and fees that too often affects those who can least afford it.” </p><p>In May, the Tollway’s Board of Directors green-lighted enhanced relief for I-PASS Assist through retroactive fee dismissal for qualified customers, as well as expanded partnerships with state agencies to maximize enrollment in the program. These benefits, in addition to the Tollway’s two-year amnesty efforts, stands to ensure the agency’s progress towards equity and fairness continues. </p><p>To qualify for I-PASS Assist, customers must apply through the Illinois Tollway, which verifies the customer’s income eligibility with the Illinois Department of Revenue. Moving forward, the Tollway aims to partner with additional agencies to promote enrollment and ensure benefits are realized by all who qualify</p><p>Thanks to previous expansion efforts, enrollees of the program also qualify for a $20 incentive (while supplies last) and a free I-PASS transponder. To date, more than 5,000 customers have enrolled in the program. </p><p>In 2020, the Illinois Tollway advanced critical reforms through the Tolling 2020 relief program, which advanced sweeping amnesty and fine reductions for all Tollway customers with outstanding fines, while drastically reducing the initial costs associated with unpaid tolls for passenger vehicles. Since then, the Tollway’s amnesty efforts provided millions in relief to customers through the drastic reduction in fines.</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/assist">Learn more and see if you qualify today</a></p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="bwwspbqk" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2023-06-24]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
I-PASS Assist continues to expand relief for working individuals and families
Display date: 2023-06-24
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="qwedjtae" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":1259857,"groupId":"20184","name":"IPASS-Assist-info-blog-v2_0621.jpg","alt":"I-PASS Assist","title":"IPASS-Assist-info-blog-v2_0621.jpg","type":"document","uuid":"c7ad1403-4fce-b163-b0af-75ab4784eccd","fileEntryId":"1259857","resourcePrimKey":"1256469"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="bdhxwndr" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":1259857,"groupId":"20184","name":"IPASS-Assist-info-blog-v2_0621.jpg","alt":"","title":"IPASS-Assist-info-blog-v2_0621.jpg","type":"document","uuid":"c7ad1403-4fce-b163-b0af-75ab4784eccd","fileEntryId":"1259857","resourcePrimKey":"1256469"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="uclzycia" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[I-PASS Assist continues to expand relief for working individuals and families]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="byrefcte" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="lmzlgbpd" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway has further expanded its I-PASS Assist program to include additional fee dismissal for low-wage working families. </p><p>“Over the last several years, the Tollway has reworked its entire model to improve the disparate impact fines and fees have on working families,” said Illinois Tollway Interim Executive Director Lanyea Griffin. “The changes we’re advancing today will help prevent working families from carrying the burden of fines and fees that too often affects those who can least afford it.” </p><p>In May, the Tollway’s Board of Directors green-lighted enhanced relief for I-PASS Assist through retroactive fee dismissal for qualified customers, as well as expanded partnerships with state agencies to maximize enrollment in the program. These benefits, in addition to the Tollway’s two-year amnesty efforts, stands to ensure the agency’s progress towards equity and fairness continues. </p><p>To qualify for I-PASS Assist, customers must apply through the Illinois Tollway, which verifies the customer’s income eligibility with the Illinois Department of Revenue. Moving forward, the Tollway aims to partner with additional agencies to promote enrollment and ensure benefits are realized by all who qualify</p><p>Thanks to previous expansion efforts, enrollees of the program also qualify for a $20 incentive (while supplies last) and a free I-PASS transponder. To date, more than 5,000 customers have enrolled in the program. </p><p>In 2020, the Illinois Tollway advanced critical reforms through the Tolling 2020 relief program, which advanced sweeping amnesty and fine reductions for all Tollway customers with outstanding fines, while drastically reducing the initial costs associated with unpaid tolls for passenger vehicles. Since then, the Tollway’s amnesty efforts provided millions in relief to customers through the drastic reduction in fines.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="bwwspbqk" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2023-06-24]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
I-PASS Assist continues to expand relief for working individuals and families
Display date: 2023-06-24
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="qwedjtae" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":1259857,"groupId":"20184","name":"IPASS-Assist-info-blog-v2_0621.jpg","alt":"I-PASS Assist","title":"IPASS-Assist-info-blog-v2_0621.jpg","type":"document","uuid":"c7ad1403-4fce-b163-b0af-75ab4784eccd","fileEntryId":"1259857","resourcePrimKey":"1256469"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="bdhxwndr" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":1259857,"groupId":"20184","name":"IPASS-Assist-info-blog-v2_0621.jpg","alt":"","title":"IPASS-Assist-info-blog-v2_0621.jpg","type":"document","uuid":"c7ad1403-4fce-b163-b0af-75ab4784eccd","fileEntryId":"1259857","resourcePrimKey":"1256469"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="uclzycia" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[I-PASS Assist continues to expand relief for working individuals and families]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="byrefcte" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="lmzlgbpd" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway has further expanded its I-PASS Assist program to include additional fee dismissal for low-wage working families. </p><p>“Over the last several years, the Tollway has reworked its entire model to improve the disparate impact fines and fees have on working families,” said Illinois Tollway Interim Executive Director Lanyea Griffin. “The changes we’re advancing today will help prevent working families from carrying the burden of fines and fees that too often affects those who can least afford it.” </p><p>In May, the Tollway’s Board of Directors green-lighted enhanced relief for I-PASS Assist through retroactive fee dismissal for qualified customers, as well as expanded partnerships with state agencies to maximize enrollment in the program. These benefits, in addition to the Tollway’s two-year amnesty efforts, stands to ensure the agency’s progress towards equity and fairness continues. </p><p>To qualify for I-PASS Assist, customers must apply through the Illinois Tollway, which verifies the customer’s income eligibility with the Illinois Department of Revenue. Moving forward, the Tollway aims to partner with additional agencies to promote enrollment and ensure benefits are realized by all who qualify</p><p>Thanks to previous expansion efforts, enrollees of the program also qualify for a $20 incentive (while supplies last) and a free I-PASS transponder. To date, more than 5,000 customers have enrolled in the program. </p><p>In 2020, the Illinois Tollway advanced critical reforms through the Tolling 2020 relief program, which advanced sweeping amnesty and fine reductions for all Tollway customers with outstanding fines, while drastically reducing the initial costs associated with unpaid tolls for passenger vehicles. Since then, the Tollway’s amnesty efforts provided millions in relief to customers through the drastic reduction in fines.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="bwwspbqk" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2023-06-24]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Hot Weather Patrol
Display date: 2023-06-24
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="ojthjlxb" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse visits the virtual Café IBTTA ","name":"CafeIBTTA-blog_0623.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse visits the virtual Café IBTTA ","title":"CafeIBTTA-blog_0623.png","type":"journal","uuid":"b3cfc691-7dbf-8f74-bd49-1292bacd41cd","fileEntryId":"1369992","resourcePrimKey":"1369990","url":"/documents/924058/1369991/CafeIBTTA-blog_0623.png/b3cfc691-7dbf-8f74-bd49-1292bacd41cd?t=1687545041593","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="zoxxpxko" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"","name":"CafeIBTTA-blog_0623 (1).png","width":"","description":"","title":"CafeIBTTA-blog_0623 (1).png","type":"journal","uuid":"67541ec2-05c9-1a7e-3f80-d5270122e0e8","fileEntryId":"1370001","resourcePrimKey":"1369990","url":"/documents/924058/1369991/CafeIBTTA-blog_0623%20%281%29.png/67541ec2-05c9-1a7e-3f80-d5270122e0e8?t=1687545041656","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="qwyhbbvx" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse visits the virtual Café IBTTA]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="wgdrzseo" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="vgitzkrx" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>“Excellence is the gradual result of always striving to do better.” This quote from Basketball Hall of Fame inductee Pat Riley inspires Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse in her day-to-day responsibilities as executive director of the Illinois Tollway. She talks about this and a wide variety of other topics with IBTTA Executive Director and CEO Pat Jones at Café IBTTA. <br /> <br />The June Café IBTTA interview with Rouse is one in a weekly webinar series of interviews hosted by the International Bridge, Tunnel & Turnpike Association, the worldwide association for owners and operators of toll facilities and businesses that serve them. <br /> <br />Rouse fielded questions from Jones and the audience about topics related to the economic impact of Illinois Tollway projects, diversity and equity initiatives and attracting young people to explore career opportunities in the transportation industry. <br /> <br />See the Café IBTTA interview <a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/live/Ji89k7B4S3w?feature=share">here</a>. </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="bmdubgjl" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2023-06-23]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse visits the virtual Café IBTTA
Display date: 2023-06-23
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<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="nwotblbw" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse joins WTS Greater Chicago in celebrating scholarship award winners","name":"WTS-scholarships-blog_0623.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse joins WTS Greater Chicago in celebrating scholarship award winners","title":"WTS-scholarships-blog_0623.png","type":"journal","uuid":"08664543-a11d-284e-e776-435150cbcdaf","fileEntryId":"1369918","resourcePrimKey":"1369916","url":"/documents/924058/1369917/WTS-scholarships-blog_0623.png/08664543-a11d-284e-e776-435150cbcdaf?t=1687541428245","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="vbhjyafb" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"","name":"WTS-scholarships-blog_0623 (1).png","width":"","description":"","title":"WTS-scholarships-blog_0623 (1).png","type":"journal","uuid":"8b60e1da-d7ea-6b76-fe90-7cf45f923f4d","fileEntryId":"1369927","resourcePrimKey":"1369916","url":"/documents/924058/1369917/WTS-scholarships-blog_0623%20%281%29.png/8b60e1da-d7ea-6b76-fe90-7cf45f923f4d?t=1687541428331","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="ncuismwk" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse joins WTS Greater Chicago in celebrating scholarship award winners]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="kfexugoi" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="pbiescvi" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>As executive director of the Illinois Tollway, Cassaundra Rouse serves as an inspiration and valuable resource to other women in the transportation industry. <br /> <br />With that in mind, the WTS Greater Chicago Chapter invited Rouse to serve as a member of its advisory board to help raise awareness of the organization’s mission to attract, sustain, connect and advance women’s careers to strengthen the transportation industry. <br /> <br />Members of WTS Greater Chicago Chapter represent transit, freight rail, highway and aviation agencies, private consultants, municipalities, academics and students from across Chicagoland. Other advisory board members include leadership from IDOT, CMAP, Cook County DOHT, Metra and CTA, as well as top executives from major transportation firms such as AECOM, HNTB and WSP. <br /> <br />In her role as an ambassador for women in transportation, Rouse joined with other advisory members to celebrate the WTS Greater Chicago Chapter Scholarship Award winners at the Sky-Line Club in Chicago on June 22. The annual event was attended by nearly 100 WTS members, the scholarship winners and their families. <br /> <br />“It’s a great privilege to join the WTS Greater Chicago Chapter in honoring exceptional young women as they pursue careers in the transportation industry,” said Rouse. “These scholarships will help support women seeking both undergraduate and graduate degrees to pursue and achieve their transportation industry career goals.” <br /> <br />Each of the WTS Greater Chicago Chapter Advisory Board members was paired with one of the 11 scholarship recipients and had the opportunity to network with other transportation leaders and industry professionals. The scholarships provide up to $5,000 for qualified female high school and college students who live or attend school in Illinois. <br /> <br />Rouse was paired with one of the recipients of the WTS Greater Chicago President’s Scholarship Awards, Chi-Ya Chou, a first-year Ph.D. student in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Northwestern University. Chou received her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in civil engineering at National Taiwan University. <br /> <br />Chou’s research interests lie mainly in transportation planning, travel behavior and disaster management. She says her goal is to become a top researcher in the field of transportation systems, applying her knowledge and skills to address questions related to the resilience of transportation systems.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="vixpuknv" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2023-06-23]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse joins WTS Greater Chicago in celebrating scholarship award winners
Display date: 2023-06-23
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="iklttzas" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"ACEC Engineering Excellence Awards","name":"ACEC-EEA-blog_0623.png","width":"","description":"ACEC Engineering Excellence Awards","title":"ACEC-EEA-blog_0623.png","type":"journal","uuid":"5acd0c67-dc59-8cc3-bf6f-e450ef68c91c","fileEntryId":"1369830","resourcePrimKey":"1369828","url":"/documents/924058/1369829/ACEC-EEA-blog_0623.png/5acd0c67-dc59-8cc3-bf6f-e450ef68c91c?t=1687537309037","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="rvmmzptf" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"","name":"ACEC-EEA-blog_0623 (1).png","width":"","description":"","title":"ACEC-EEA-blog_0623 (1).png","type":"journal","uuid":"67a81c19-0306-8e86-7e1e-870e94bdb71e","fileEntryId":"1369839","resourcePrimKey":"1369828","url":"/documents/924058/1369829/ACEC-EEA-blog_0623%20%281%29.png/67a81c19-0306-8e86-7e1e-870e94bdb71e?t=1687537309096","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="ukfdxtqp" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[ACEC Engineering Excellence Awards]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="hbkcrbaq" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="reoiopml" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse joined project teams in accepting National Recognition Awards from the American Council of Engineering Companies at the annual ACEE Engineering Excellence Awards Gala on June 13 in Washington, D.C. </p><p>Three Illinois Tollway projects were recognized by ACEC for exceptional engineering excellence:</p><ul><li><a target="_blank" href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/projects/tri-state/bnsf-bridge">Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway Bridge Project</a> – submitted by Gannett Fleming, TranSystems and H.R. Green</li><li><a href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/projects/tri-state/294-57-interchange">Tri-State Tollway (I-294)/I-57 Interchange Project, Phase Two</a> – submitted by T.Y. Lin International and Wight & Co</li><li><a href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/projects/tri-state/mile-long-bridge-project">I-294 Mile Long Bridge Gantry System</a> – submitted by Collins Engineers</li></ul><p>All three projects received Honor Awards from ACEC Illinois, allowing them to advance to the national awards. </p><p>The Illinois Tollway is grateful to the hard work of its project teams and to ACEC for the recognition! <br /> </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="xuawbfqe" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2023-06-23]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
ACEC Engineering Excellence Awards
Display date: 2023-06-23
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="uhfziypd" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway worker honors veterans by tending their graves","name":"JCveticanin-blog_0623.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway worker honors veterans by tending their graves","title":"JCveticanin-blog_0623.png","type":"document","uuid":"37d5155f-394f-1d0b-d98e-a7df5704b1fd","fileEntryId":"1364043","resourcePrimKey":"1364063","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/JCveticanin-blog_0623.png/37d5155f-394f-1d0b-d98e-a7df5704b1fd?t=1685727427063","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="liiuwott" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway worker honors veterans by tending their graves","name":"JCveticanin-blog_0623.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway worker honors veterans by tending their graves","title":"JCveticanin-blog_0623.png","type":"document","uuid":"37d5155f-394f-1d0b-d98e-a7df5704b1fd","fileEntryId":"1364043","resourcePrimKey":"1364063","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/JCveticanin-blog_0623.png/37d5155f-394f-1d0b-d98e-a7df5704b1fd?t=1685727427063","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="olsgzcro" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway worker honors veterans by tending their graves]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="pxhooseq" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="xivazqgd" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Illinois Tollway roadway electrician Jon Cveticanin spends a lot of his free time walking through suburban cemeteries searching for the graves of military veterans.<br /> <br />When he finds those graves, he doesn’t pay his respects to the fallen veterans with flowers, but with a weed whip and other lawn tools he uses to remove the overgrown grass and weeds that often obscure their headstones.<br /> <br />He and his family, who have a history of military service, view their work as a way to honor the veterans for their service by keeping their graves tidy so relatives and other visitors can easily see and read their headstones.</p><p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/X4DIfRuz1nI" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" tabindex="0"></iframe></p><p>“I’m highly respectful. There’s nothing higher than serving the country,” said Cveticanin, who has worked for the Tollway for 28 years. “We took it on ourselves to do this with our time, effort and money.”<br /> <br />Cveticanin started doing his volunteer work about 8 years ago after talking with his father, James, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who mentioned that he often saw veterans’ graves that were so overgrown they were nearly unreadable. <br /> <br />“My father noticed a lot of the headstones were in need of serious attention. We started talking about it and said ‘we’ve got to take care of this, we’ve got to take care of our own,’” said Cveticanin, who enlisted in the Marines after high school but was declined for health issues. He has a son and daughter serving in the military, and other relatives also did stints in the military.<br /> <br />So Cveticanin started visiting suburban cemeteries on weekends or after he finished working, walking along the rows of graves to find overgrown headstones that mark the graves of veterans.<br /> <br />“I just walk a section, go back and forth, and find them and clean them up,” said Cveticanin, who is based at the M-1 maintenance site in Alsip. “It’s all my own equipment and it’s on my time.”<br /> <br />While cemeteries mow grass between rows of graves, workers there typically don’t check individual graves to make sure the headstones are cleared of weeds. Many veterans’ headstone are nearly flush with the ground, making it easier for grass and weeds to cover them, he said.<br /> <br />Beginning in the spring and continuing into autumn, he’ll venture out to the cemeteries three or four times a week, spending three or four hours at a time and clearing as many as 100 graves. If a veteran’s family members are buried nearby, he’ll clear those headstones, too <br /> <br />And if he comes across the overgrown headstone of a civilian, he’ll clear that as well, “out of respect for that person.” <br /> <br />Sometimes, a headstone “breaks your heart” because the information on it and the condition of the headstone tells a grim story, Cveticanin said. He recalls clearing the headstone of teenage soldier who died in Vietnam more than 50 years ago that was covered in such thick vegetation that it was obvious no one had visited the grave in decades. <br /> <br />“It’s overgrown and no one has been there in years,” he said. “It’s sad.”<br /> <br />Sometimes, though, he encounters relatives of the fallen vets, who he said often offer to pay him for his work—which he refuses to accept.<br /> <br />“I really appreciate it, though,” Cveticanin said.<br /> <br />But when he finishes clearing the graves, his work still isn’t done.<br /> <br />He takes a picture of every headstone he clears, then when he gets home he uploads the photos to a public website that can used to search for graves nationwide. That helps veterans’ descendants locate the graves of their deceased relatives.<br /> <br />His teenage son, Emilio, sometimes works with him. He also at times runs across several other volunteers who are doing the same work.<br /> <br />Cveticanin plans to retire from his Tollway job in the next few years, but doesn’t plan to stop his volunteer work. Instead, he figures he’ll have more time for it—and he and his family have talked about setting up a non-profit group to help ensure their work continues. <br /> <br />“I want to keep doing this,” he said. “It’s my hobby, I like doing it, it just feels great to me.”</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="kecrugbj" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2023-06-02]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway worker honors veterans by tending their graves
Display date: 2023-06-02
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="axfttdsv" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Dispatch training programs recognized for achieving top industry standards","name":"Dispatch-blog_0523.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway Dispatch training programs recognized for achieving top industry standards","title":"Dispatch-blog_0523.png","type":"document","uuid":"17715d55-8d56-cdce-4401-b8fbdf52ad9c","fileEntryId":"1363546","resourcePrimKey":"1363566","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/Dispatch-blog_0523.png/17715d55-8d56-cdce-4401-b8fbdf52ad9c?t=1685541744330","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="nbejsnlx" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"","name":"Dispatch-blog_0523.png","width":"","description":"","title":"Dispatch-blog_0523.png","type":"document","uuid":"17715d55-8d56-cdce-4401-b8fbdf52ad9c","fileEntryId":"1363546","resourcePrimKey":"1363566","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/Dispatch-blog_0523.png/17715d55-8d56-cdce-4401-b8fbdf52ad9c?t=1685541744330","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="cwqctvvj" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Dispatch training programs recognized for achieving top industry standards]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="ehrmobjt" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="vtxriooc" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway has been recognized as having one of the nation’s best training programs for public safety telecommunications dispatchers. <br /> <br />The Tollway is one of only six public safety agencies in Illinois to have its dispatch training program certified by the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials, which establishes industry standards for public safety professionals. <br /> <br />Nationwide, fewer than 1 percent of the nearly 9,000 public safety answering points achieve this honor.<br /> <br />“The certification of our telecommunicator training programs demonstrates the Tollway’s unwavering dedication to the safety of our customers,” said Illinois Tollway Chief Information Officer Michael Shay. “Congratulations to our Dispatch team for maintaining the highest standards of excellence in public safety telecommunications.” <br /> <br />The Illinois Tollway’s telecommunicator training curriculum was first certified by APCO in 2019. It recently underwent a rigorous, months-long peer review to determine whether it continues to meet all the program's standards and benchmarks to be recertified. Tollway Dispatch earlier this year was trained on a new, upgraded dispatch system that includes additional capabilities, including the ability to pinpoint the location of cellphones used to make calls to 911, which will improve accuracy and response times for first responders. <br /> <br />Illinois Tollway Dispatch employs about 32 public safety telecommunicators and call takers responsible for providing reliable emergency communications 24/7/365 for Roadway Maintenance and Illinois State Police Troop 15, the special district that patrols the 294-mile Tollway system. <br /> <br />Last year, Dispatch handled more than 150,000 calls for assistance, from helping motorists involved in crashes, to medical emergencies to law enforcement activities and customers seeking roadside assistance – including calls directed from the *999 motorist assistance service. <br /> <br />Ongoing training for public safety telecommunicators is vital because they provide an essential safety service for the traveling public, oftentimes in emergency situations, in an ever-expanding and rapidly changing public safety environment. The APCO training program certification allows public safety agencies to demonstrate that their training programs meet industry best practices. <br /> <br />The Tollway will be recognized at the APCO 89th Annual Conference & Expo in early August. </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="eeqyflrk" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2023-05-31]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Dispatch training programs recognized for achieving top industry standards
Display date: 2023-05-31
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="gknoanku" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway and Illinois State Police Offer Kids Identification and Safety Seat Event June 3 in Glenview","name":"KISS-Glenview-blog_0523.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway and Illinois State Police Offer Kids Identification and Safety Seat Event June 3 in Glenview","title":"KISS-Glenview-blog_0523.png","type":"document","uuid":"8887f801-9036-1d6e-2d42-20c9d403f53b","fileEntryId":"1362768","resourcePrimKey":"1362788","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/KISS-Glenview-blog_0523.png/8887f801-9036-1d6e-2d42-20c9d403f53b?t=1685462478492","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="oyijmzhl" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway and Illinois State Police Offer Kids Identification and Safety Seat Event June 3 in Glenview","name":"KISS-Glenview-blog_0523.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway and Illinois State Police Offer Kids Identification and Safety Seat Event June 3 in Glenview","title":"KISS-Glenview-blog_0523.png","type":"document","uuid":"8887f801-9036-1d6e-2d42-20c9d403f53b","fileEntryId":"1362768","resourcePrimKey":"1362788","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/KISS-Glenview-blog_0523.png/8887f801-9036-1d6e-2d42-20c9d403f53b?t=1685462478492","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="hhtclmcc" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway and Illinois State Police Offer Kids Identification and Safety Seat Event June 3 in Glenview]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="kemuwbhv" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="guteiwyk" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway and Illinois State Police Troop 15 are working to keep children safe every trip, every time by hosting free Kids’ Identification and Safety Seat (K.I.S.S.) events in 2023 to inspect and correctly install child safety seats and provide free kids’ ID cards.<br /> <br />This year, six events are planned across the Chicago area, with the first scheduled for June 3 at the Kohl Children’s Museum, 2100 Patriot Boulevard, Glenview. For more information about K.I.S.S. events and to see additional activities at each event, visit the Troop 15 section on the Illinois Tollway’s website www.illinoistollway.com. <br /> <br />“Safety is our top priority and K.I.S.S. events allow us to connect with families and provide parents with information they can use to protect their children when they’re out on the road or out in their communities,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. “We believe these safety initiatives will help keep children safe and parents worry-free, every trip, every time.” <br /> <br />Illinois law requires that all children under age 8 must be properly secured in an appropriate child restraint system when riding in a vehicle with family or other caregivers. In addition, children under age 2 years are required by Illinois law to ride rear-facing, unless the child weighs 40 or more pounds or is 40 or more inches tall, to protect their developing muscles and bones.<br /> <br />Properly installed child safety seats save lives and significantly reduce injuries in the event of a crash. Yet, Illinois State Police find that as many as 90 percent of child safety seats they inspect are improperly installed. <br /> <br />“We want to help parents do everything they can to protect their children when they’re riding in a car or truck and K.I.S.S. events give us the opportunity to provide information about the importance of properly using child safety seats,” said Captain Linda Mandat, Troop 15 Commander. “Providing parents and caregivers with a kids’ ID card can keep children safe by making it easier for authorities to locate and identify a lost or missing child.”<br /> <br />The Tollway and Troop 15 have worked together to promote child safety for more than 15 years, holding popular events annually throughout Northern Illinois.<br /> <br /><strong>2023 K.I.S.S. Events</strong><br /> <br />To make it easy and fun for parents, grandparents and children alike, six K.I.S.S. events will be held at convenient locations at various locations along the 294-mile Illinois Tollway system. <br /> <br />Operation Kid 2023 events kick off on Saturday, June 3, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Kohl Children’s Museum, 2100 Patriot Boulevard in Glenview near the Edens Spur (I-94). Highlights include:</p><ul><li>Free identification cards for children ages 3 and older and child safety seat inspections and installations </li><li>Touch-a-truck display featuring hands-on exploration of a Tollway H.E.L.P. truck, snowplow and local emergency vehicles.</li><li>Trooper Cooper, a talking, child-sized Illinois State Police car that offers simple safety tips to toddlers and young children</li><li>Kids indoor and outdoor play areas.</li><li>Families attending event will receive voucher for one free admission to the museum.</li></ul><p> <br />Unless otherwise indicated, all other events also are on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. <br /> <br />July 8 Fox Valley Park District Police Department <br />July 15 Bartlett Police Department<br />August 26 Children’s Museum of Oak Lawn<br />September 23 Lambs Farm in Libertyville<br />September 26 Tinley Park Police Department<br /> <br /> <br /><strong>Child Safety Seat Basics</strong><br /> <br />The safest place for infants, toddlers and young children to ride is in the back seat with the appropriate child safety seat for their age and weight. <br /> <br />Rear-facing child safety seats protect a growing baby’s head, neck and back in an accident. Toddlers and young children should ride in a child safety seat with an internal harness until age 8 or they reach the maximum harness limit of the child restraint. <br /> <br />A booster seat is the most effective way to position a safety belt properly on a young child's growing body. Safety belts are designed for adults who are at least 4 feet 9 inches tall. Until age 8, most children have not developed strong hip bones and their legs and bodies are too short for the adult safety belt to fit correctly without use of a booster seat. <br /> <br />Illinois law requires that whenever a person is transporting a child under age 8, the person is responsible for properly securing the child in an appropriate child restraint system. <br /> <br /><strong>Missing Child Basics</strong><br /> <br />Information provided on kids ID cards can help law enforcement search and recover a missing child. That includes a description of the child’s hair and eye color, height, weight, race, unique identifiers such as glasses or beauty marks, as well as date of birth, current photo and fingerprints.<br /> <br />The FBI suggests that parents keep their children’s fingerprints, not only because fingerprints are unique but also because they don’t change over time like a child’s appearance. The FBI also recommends that parents update the photos of their children on ID cards at least once a year to ensure they are current.<br /> <br />With increased public awareness, training, laws and better technology, the recovery rate of missing children has jumped from 62 percent in 1990 to more than 97 percent today, according to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. <br /> <br /><strong>About the Illinois Tollway</strong><br />The Illinois Tollway is a user-fee system that receives no state or federal funds for maintenance and operations. The agency maintains and operates 294 miles of roadways in 12 counties in Northern Illinois, including the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355), the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80) and the Illinois Route 390 Tollway.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="dygfhxja" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2023-05-30]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway and Illinois State Police Offer Kids Identification and Safety Seat Event June 3 in Glenview
Display date: 2023-05-30
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="xuczvqhx" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Reminds Parents of Importance Of Child Safety Seats Ahead of Memorial Day Weekend Travel","name":"KISS-presser-blog_0523.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway Reminds Parents of Importance Of Child Safety Seats Ahead of Memorial Day Weekend Travel","title":"KISS-presser-blog_0523.png","type":"document","uuid":"35483958-f590-c056-a0fe-e55bb4ba62ef","fileEntryId":"1360955","resourcePrimKey":"1360975","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/KISS-presser-blog_0523.png/35483958-f590-c056-a0fe-e55bb4ba62ef?t=1684945197562","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="ioalnzuw" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Reminds Parents of Importance Of Child Safety Seats Ahead of Memorial Day Weekend Travel","name":"KISS-presser-blog_0523.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway Reminds Parents of Importance Of Child Safety Seats Ahead of Memorial Day Weekend Travel","title":"KISS-presser-blog_0523.png","type":"document","uuid":"35483958-f590-c056-a0fe-e55bb4ba62ef","fileEntryId":"1360955","resourcePrimKey":"1360975","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/KISS-presser-blog_0523.png/35483958-f590-c056-a0fe-e55bb4ba62ef?t=1684945197562","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="vgirtmcy" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Reminds Parents of Importance Of Child Safety Seats Ahead of Memorial Day Weekend Travel]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="pbsiotxs" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="ztixbrpu" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>With Memorial Day weekend and the summer travel season approaching, the Illinois Tollway and Illinois State Police Troop 15 are urging parents to protect their children by checking safety seats to ensure they are correctly installed in their vehicles.</p><p>This year, the Illinois Tollway expects nearly 8 million vehicles to kick off the summer travel season and drive the Tollway system during the Memorial Day weekend from Friday, May 26, through Tuesday, May 30. The busiest day is expected to be Friday, when an estimated 1.8 million drivers will use the Tollway system.</p><p>To assist parents and caregivers in keeping children safe while traveling this summer, the Tollway and <br />Illinois State Police are launching their annual Kids Identification and Safety Seat (K.I.S.S.) events offering free child safety seat inspections and installations.</p><p>“Safety is our top priority and we are committed to doing everything we can to help parents protect their children while they’re traveling on our roads,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra <br />Rouse. “At our free K.I.S.S. events, parents can have their children’s safety seats inspected or installed <br />to ensure their children are traveling safely.”</p><p>Correctly installed child safety seats save lives and significantly reduce injuries in the event of a crash. <br />Yet, Illinois State Police find that as many as 90 percent of child safety seats they inspect are improperly installed. </p><p>This year, six K.I.S.S. events are planned across the Chicago area. Visit the Troop 15 section on the <br />Illinois Tollway’s website to view the schedule. </p><p>“Keeping younger children safe when they’re riding in a car starts with making sure kids are secured in an appropriately sized, properly installed safety seat,” said Captain Linda Mandat, Troop 15 <br />Commander. “We’re pleased to offer these seat inspections and installations at our K.I.S.S events to <br />give parents the satisfaction of knowing their children are protected.”</p><p><strong>14 Days to Pay Tolls</strong><br />Customers have 14 days from their initial date of travel to pay their tolls on the Illinois Tollway to ensure avoiding fines and fees. Drivers have the option to pay tolls with I-PASS, E-ZPass or pay online with the Tollway’s Pay By Plate service. And for those who need financial assistance, the Tollway has <br />enhanced its I-PASS Assist program.</p><p>With the Official Illinois Tollway App, drivers can or enroll and manage their I-PASS accounts or Pay By Plate service directly from their smartphone. The app even allows customers who need help to call for roadside assistance with the touch of a button.</p><p><strong>Dial *999 for Roadway Assistance</strong><br />Drivers should call *999 to get help from Tollway roadway maintenance crews or from Illinois State <br />Police District 15 who patrol the Tollway system 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Highway <br />Emergency Lane Patrol (H.E.L.P.) supported by GEICO is also available to assist drivers 4 a.m. to 8 <br />p.m. Monday through Friday. The Tollway’s motorist aid patrols stand ready to help stranded customers change tires, jump-start batteries, add coolant, dispense fuel, transport customers, move vehicles away from traffic and call for a tow truck. </p><p><strong>Holiday Work Zones</strong><br />To accommodate holiday travel on the Illinois Tollway, construction activity will be restricted to better <br />serve Tollway customers. Most temporary maintenance and construction lane closures will be <br />suspended from noon on Friday, May 26, through 9 a.m. on Tuesday, May 30. Some work may <br />continue behind barriers to keep work on schedule. All work is weather-dependent. <br />Areas where ongoing work zones may impact traffic include: <br />Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80)</p><ul><li>On I-294 between the O’Hare Oasis and 75th Street, traffic shifts in both directions with counterflow lanes throughout the Central Tri-State corridor. Watch for signage indicating changing traffic patterns.</li><li>On I-294, the ramps from westbound I-290 to northbound I-294, from northbound I-294 to westbound Roosevelt Road and westbound Roosevelt Road to southbound I-294 are closed and detours are posted.</li></ul><p><strong>Illinois State Police Out in Full Force</strong><br />Illinois State Police Troop 15 will be conducting several roadside safety details and special Traffic <br />Enforcement Patrols over the Memorial Day weekend throughout the Tollway system. Troopers <br />patrolling the Tollway will also focus on enforcing fatal four violations, including driving under the <br />influence, speeding, distracted driving and not wearing seat belts. In addition, they will be stepping up enforcement of the Move Over Law, also known as Scott’s Law, which requires motorists to change lanes or slow down and proceed with caution when passing any vehicle on the side of the road with hazard lights activated</p><p><strong>About the Illinois Tollway</strong><br />The Illinois Tollway is a user-fee system that receives no state or federal funds for maintenance and <br />operations. The agency maintains and operates 294 miles of roadways in 12 counties in Northern <br />Illinois, including the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355), the Jane <br />Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80) and the Illinois Route 390 <br />Tollway.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="pbhzuvcv" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2023-05-24]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Reminds Parents of Importance Of Child Safety Seats Ahead of Memorial Day Weekend Travel
Display date: 2023-05-24
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="egirkfpw" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Talent Acquisition team searches near and far for great job candidates","name":"20230519 Workforce Dupage.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway Talent Acquisition team searches near and far for great job candidates","title":"20230519 Workforce Dupage.png","type":"document","uuid":"2364ad12-a837-4fb2-8e0b-4fcc94dfedc4","fileEntryId":"1359112","resourcePrimKey":"1359132","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/20230519%20Workforce%20Dupage.png/2364ad12-a837-4fb2-8e0b-4fcc94dfedc4?t=1684515561034","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="yrimbnfy" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Talent Acquisition team searches near and far for great job candidates","name":"20230519 Workforce Dupage.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway Talent Acquisition team searches near and far for great job candidates","title":"20230519 Workforce Dupage.png","type":"document","uuid":"2364ad12-a837-4fb2-8e0b-4fcc94dfedc4","fileEntryId":"1359112","resourcePrimKey":"1359132","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/20230519%20Workforce%20Dupage.png/2364ad12-a837-4fb2-8e0b-4fcc94dfedc4?t=1684515561034","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="kgrfucmn" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Talent Acquisition team searches near and far for great job candidates]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="htuqpmwy" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="zyexfqgg" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway’s search for the most skilled, talented and qualified job candidates takes its talent acquisition staff to job fairs throughout Northern Illinois, from local hiring events to jobs fairs in the Rockford area, the South Side of Chicago and beyond.</p><p>Illinois Tollway Pipeline Partner Liaison Jyoti Rao recently participated in a panel of H.R. recruiters at the workNet DuPage Career Conversation & Hiring Event in Lisle. </p><p>The panel, which also included representatives from private-sector firms in the area, offered the gathering of about 60 job seekers insights on the do’s and don’ts of job interviewing, as well as information about current job openings. Rao encouraged job seekers to tell their work experience story to show how they resolved job-related challenges in past positions and how they can use those same skills in their new jobs. </p><p>“Just winging it in a job interview isn’t the best idea,” said Rao. “Interviewing is a skill and preparation is required in order to succeed.” </p><p>The Tollway’s hiring goals are to identify the best candidates available, increase the pipeline of diverse talent and create greater opportunities for military veterans by targeting specific community organizations and educational institutions that have a broad and diverse reach. </p><p>The Tollway also targets hiring events that attract certain professions, whether it’s the skilled trades or professional positions in departments including Administration, Engineering, Finance and IT, to name a few. </p><p>“The Tollway recruits a diverse range of high-performing talent for positions at every level in the agency,” said Rao. “We know that a diverse workforce helps to create a positive and productive work environment and bring innovative new ideas to the table, which ultimately better serve Tollway customers.” </p><p>There are numerous job fairs available, but the Tollway Talent Acquisition team targets specific opportunities to participate in events that have a broad reach or connect with diverse candidates that reflect communities served by the Tollway system. </p><p>The workNet DuPage Career Center, for example, is located not too far from Tollway headquarters in Downers Grove, serves a large population in DuPage County and is linked with the American Job Center. Supported by the U.S. Labor Department, American Job Centers have extensive reach in all the communities they serve. It’s a free, one-stop shop for job seekers that always brings motivated and excited candidates to apply for Tollway positions, says Rao. </p><p>The Tollway often uses American Job Center facilities for its diversity outreach efforts. ConstructionWorks, a program launched in partnership with the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership to create a qualified pipeline of diverse workers ready to enter careers in the heavy highway and related construction industry, provides services at 10 American Job Center locations throughout the region. </p><p>Other job fairs the Tollway participates in are hosted by local elected officials or other state agencies. These events often have broad reach in local communities. </p><p>Do you want to work at the Illinois Tollway? Find career opportunities <a target="_blank" href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/about/careers">here</a>. </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="uxzkrnwq" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2023-05-19]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Talent Acquisition team searches near and far for great job candidates
Display date: 2023-05-19
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<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="oygpbzjz" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"CKL Engineers paves path to success with help from Illinois Tollway Partnering for Growth Program","name":"20230511 Mae_Blog.jpg","width":"","description":"CKL Engineers paves path to success with help from Illinois Tollway Partnering for Growth Program","title":"20230511 Mae_Blog.jpg","type":"document","uuid":"b75df1b3-491c-2281-4736-5e65b361a901","fileEntryId":"1355670","resourcePrimKey":"1355690","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/20230511%20Mae_Blog.jpg/b75df1b3-491c-2281-4736-5e65b361a901?t=1683832966211","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="aauaeviq" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"CKL Engineers paves path to success with help from Illinois Tollway Partnering for Growth Program","name":"20230511 Mae_Blog.jpg","width":"","description":"CKL Engineers paves path to success with help from Illinois Tollway Partnering for Growth Program","title":"20230511 Mae_Blog.jpg","type":"document","uuid":"b75df1b3-491c-2281-4736-5e65b361a901","fileEntryId":"1355670","resourcePrimKey":"1355690","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/20230511%20Mae_Blog.jpg/b75df1b3-491c-2281-4736-5e65b361a901?t=1683832966211","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="uhffxtvt" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[CKL Engineers paves path to success with help from Illinois Tollway’s Partnering for Growth Program]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="qeoqwomn" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="lhnnnshr" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>In 2009, after a decade of working as a civil engineer, Mae Whiteside Williams decided to bet on herself and launch her own engineering firm out of her home in Chicago’s Roseland Heights neighborhood.<br /> <br />“Some people will say ‘well, that’s ludicrous,’ but I just thought I could do it and believed in myself,” Whiteside Williams said, recalling how she started the business with $700 and a laptop computer.<br /> <br />Since then, CKL Engineers has grown into a successful small business with 28 full-time employees and two offices, providing construction management services for roadway, bridge and environmental projects across northern Illinois.<br /> <br />Whiteside Williams, who serves president and CEO of her firm, credits some of her success to her work with the Illinois Tollway—and particularly her participation in its innovative Partnering for Growth Program.<br /> <br />The program pairs smaller, diverse businesses with mentoring firms that have experience doing Tollway projects, helping them gain experience in following Tollway procedures and protocols while also learning new skills from the mentoring firm along the way.</p><p><br /><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fDIWMwqnXB8?rel=0" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p><p>“The Partnering for Growth Program is the one that actually got us into the Illinois Tollway and got us to where we are today,” Whiteside Williams said. “This has been a very fruitful, positive partnership for our firm.”<br /> <br />She initially began working for the Tollway in 2013 as part of a $1.2 million contract to help restore and improve the Pine Dunes Forest Preserve in Lake County, work the Tollway took on to mitigate land impacts related to its construction of the new Illinois Route 390 Tollway and the I-490 Tollway. The Tollway received the Social Responsibility Award for Recreational Trail Investments from the Illinois Bridge, Tunnel & Turnpike Association (IBTTA) in 2020 for that work. <br /> <br />“That project was fantastic,” Whiteside Williams recalled. “We constructed trails, we put in timber bridges, we put in overlooks--things everyone would need as they were traversing the site.”<br /> <br />That project helped lead her into doing work on additional Tollway projects, which prompted her to join the agency’s Partnering for Growth Program as a way to continue developing her business by gaining expertise in other areas of construction and inspection services from the mentoring firms she assists.<br /> <br />After joining the program, her firm was selected as a subcontractor, or protégé firm, in 2017 to help conduct safety analyses on a proposed roadway project. Since then, her firm has participated in five other Tollway contracts through the Partnering for Growth Program, learning new skills from the mentoring firms in each of them, she said.<br /> <br />That broad range of work helped her decide to concentrate whenever possible on doing bridge inspections and construction. <br /> <br />“We gained a lot of important skills that enabled us to be positioned to do a lot of the bridge construction projects the Tollway has,” Whiteside Williams said. “I hadn’t done bridge construction or any reconstruction work until we got to the Tollway.”<br /> <br />That focus paid off when her firm last year completed work on a project that removed and reconstructed Deerpath Road Bridge over the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88).<br /> <br />With the experience gained from the Partnering for Growth Program, CKL Engineers in 2020 won a $4 million Tollway contract—its first as a prime contractor—to provide systemwide construction management services. <br /> <br />She likes the variety of the work—everything from constructing an access road to a new Tollway maintenance site to maintaining some of the overhead roadway signs.<br /> <br />“This is the best experience we’ve ever had as a firm,” Whiteside Williams said. “We want to build great infrastructure. The Illinois Tollway allowed us to do just that, build great infrastructure.”<br /> <br />Her firm took some of the skills it developed working on Tollway projects and used those abilities to win contracts for other transportation-related work, sometimes in surprisingly different venues, including at Midway Airport in Chicago.<br /> <br />After inspecting roadway pavements for the Tollway, Whiteside Williams said she uses now those skills at Midway Airport “to do pavement management inspections for runways.”<br /> <br />She recommends other small, diverse firms that are looking to grow and develop their expertise should consider the Partnering for Growth Program—and she’s eager to play a role in helping those businesses grow and thrive like hers.<br /> <br />“If you’re looking to get your start, seek out the Partnering for Growth Program. That’s where CKL found our space and now we’ve excelled in it,” Whiteside Williams said. “If you’re looking to do diverse projects, all types, whether it’s bridge, highways, the Tollway has it.”<br /> <br />And she added: “I’m hoping to be your next mentor.”</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="ritvzjup" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2023-05-11]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
CKL Engineers paves path to success with help from Illinois Tollway Partnering for Growth Program
Display date: 2023-05-11
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="qpqjpoqo" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Area high school students get close-up look at Illinois Tollway construction sites","name":"HS-Summit-blog_0423.png","width":"","description":"Area high school students get close-up look at Illinois Tollway construction sites","title":"HS-Summit-blog_0423.png","type":"document","uuid":"5b5d8a01-c419-7156-69f3-32e4993998a2","fileEntryId":"1350507","resourcePrimKey":"1350527","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/HS-Summit-blog_0423.png/5b5d8a01-c419-7156-69f3-32e4993998a2?t=1682615095701","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="lcffrjhr" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Area high school students get close-up look at Illinois Tollway construction sites","name":"HS-Summit-blog_0423.png","width":"","description":"Area high school students get close-up look at Illinois Tollway construction sites","title":"HS-Summit-blog_0423.png","type":"document","uuid":"5b5d8a01-c419-7156-69f3-32e4993998a2","fileEntryId":"1350507","resourcePrimKey":"1350527","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/HS-Summit-blog_0423.png/5b5d8a01-c419-7156-69f3-32e4993998a2?t=1682615095701","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="cznuqaav" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Area high school students get close-up look at Illinois Tollway construction sites]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="kgntdzuu" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="uhxwlrjn" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>What’s the best way for high school students to find out if a career in the transportation industry is for them? Put on hard hats and safety vests to get a close-up look at construction projects underway on the Illinois Tollway.</p><p>“Giving students access to real-world construction projects taking place right in their back yards is the best way to inspire their ambitions and allow them to see opportunities for potential careers,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. “It’s encouraging to see our engineers and planners engaging with the next generation of transportation professionals and introducing them to entrepreneurial and career opportunities in the transportation industry.” </p><p>The Illinois Tollway invited high school students for a boots-on-the-ground tour of major project sites: the I-490 Tollway Project, and the 87th and Roberts Road Bridge Project and I-290/I-88 Interchange Project at I-294 that are currently part of the $4 billion Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Project. <br /> <br />The students currently enrolled in engineering-related coursework from Elk Grove High School, Homewood Flossmoor Community High School and King College Prep High School in Chicago met with Tollway engineering professionals who gave students an overview of the projects, showing them project plans, maps, photos, renderings and videos, and discussing the various roles people play in building or reconstructing roads and bridges. <br /> <br />Students had the chance to ask questions and go see where the work was taking place at two of the biggest, most complex Tollway projects in the agency’s history. <br /> <br />At the 87th Street and Roberts Road project site, students toured the new bridges that span both roadways and the entire intersection and observed ongoing construction activities including local road improvements, pavement removal and installation of protective shielding on the bridge. <br /> <br />At the I-290/I-88 Interchange, students viewed new ramp construction from southbound I-294 to eastbound I-290 and the new Electric Avenue Bridge over I-290. Highlights included work on the I-290 bridge, construction of retaining walls and various stages of pavement reconstruction. <br /> <br />Students also viewed work to build the new I-490 Tollway. Together with the Illinois Route 390 Tollway, the I-490 Tollway will connect businesses and communities with one of the nation’s busiest airports, transit facilities, major freight transportation hubs, distribution centers and multiple interstate highways including the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) and I-294. <br /> <br />As part of I-490 Tollway, the Tollway is building a new, full-access interchange to connect with the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90). Highlights of the student site visit included seeing construction of new ramps that connect I-490 to I-90, including the new multi-span bridge that will carry I-490 traffic over the Touhy Avenue Reservoir. </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="ecczzxlk" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2023-04-27]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Area high school students get close-up look at Illinois Tollway construction sites
Display date: 2023-04-27
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<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="usceptoh" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"To mark Earth Day Illinois Tollway highlights new maintenance sites designed to help protect local water quality ","name":"M8pond-M5creek-blog_0423.png","width":"","description":"To mark Earth Day Illinois Tollway highlights new maintenance sites designed to help protect local water quality ","title":"M8pond-M5creek-blog_0423.png","type":"document","uuid":"9e6f9045-192c-b25e-1c71-0cb9adfd5bfe","fileEntryId":"1349353","resourcePrimKey":"1349373","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/M8pond-M5creek-blog_0423.png/9e6f9045-192c-b25e-1c71-0cb9adfd5bfe?t=1682345218998","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="rvamgnjj" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"","name":"M8pond-M5creek-blog_0423.png","width":"","description":"","title":"M8pond-M5creek-blog_0423.png","type":"document","uuid":"9e6f9045-192c-b25e-1c71-0cb9adfd5bfe","fileEntryId":"1349353","resourcePrimKey":"1349373","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/M8pond-M5creek-blog_0423.png/9e6f9045-192c-b25e-1c71-0cb9adfd5bfe?t=1682345218998","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="jkwxzeak" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[To mark Earth Day, Illinois Tollway highlights new maintenance sites designed to help protect local water quality]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="zhyhewqa" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="gipskpwn" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>When the Illinois Tollway began building a new state-of-the-art maintenance facility in Hoffman Estates, it also built a new path for a small stream crossing the property as part of a sophisticated drainage system that will help protect local water quality.<br /> <br />Engineers realigned a small existing stream to add more turns and bends to slow the speed of water moving through it, which helps prevent pollutants or excess nutrients in stormwater from flowing off the site.<br /> <br />As it commemorates Earth Day on April 22, the Illinois Tollway is dedicated to helping protect the land and water along its 294-mile system by minimizing the environmental impact of its maintenance sites and other buildings.<br /> <br />“On Earth Day, we are emphasizing our commitment to working with local communities and organizations to maintain a healthy environment along our roads,” said Illinois Tollway Chief of Planning Rocco Zucchero. “We recognize we can play a vital role by designing our facilities to ensure they have the least possible impact on the sites where they are located. We’re proud of the work we’re doing to replace our aging maintenance garages with modern facilities that use less energy and are designed to protect nearby waterways.”<br /> <br />The Illinois Tollway has been recognized for replacing its aging maintenance facilities with new, energy-efficient garages that include rooftop solar power arrays, radiant heating systems, energy-saving LED lighting and other environmentally-friendly features. The new garages meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification for sustainable design and construction—a first for any Illinois transportation agency.<br /> <br />As part of its emphasis on constructing more environmentally sensitive facilities, the Tollway is focusing on maintaining local water quality by taking extra steps to contain pollutants and excess nutrients that otherwise could contaminate nearby waterways.<br /> <br />At the Hoffman Estates M-5 maintenance site being built along the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), the work included adding a new detention pond to hold stormwater and then nearly doubling the length of a stream that serves as an outlet for the pond. <br /> <br />All stormwater running off the maintenance site flows into the basin, where a series of berms slows the movement of the water, allowing salt and pollutants from the pavement to drop to the bottom, The water then flows into the redesigned stream, which was lengthened by adding more curves. The meandering path of the creek reduces the speed of the water, allowing remaining pollutants to settle to the bottom instead of being carried off site.<br /> <br />The Tollway earlier won a state-wide award for innovation in sustainable engineering for its new Aurora M-8 maintenance site on the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), which includes a similarly designed, elongated detention basin that slows stormwater and makes it travel farther so more pollutants and excess nutrients such as phosphorus settle out of the water before it leaves the site. <br /> <br />Native prairie plants such as prairie dropseed and marsh milkweed, as well as wetland plants such as sedges, blue-flag iris, soft-stem bulrush and common burr reed, were planted across the bottom and around the perimeter of the basin to soak up and remove pollutants.<br /> <br />Those design features are intended help keep any pollutants in the runoff from flowing into the nearby Fox River.<br /> <br />The innovative features included in the new maintenance sites are part of the Tollway’s commitment to incorporating sustainable features that help the agency operate more efficiently while also protecting the environment.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="eujlubea" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2023-04-24]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
To mark Earth Day Illinois Tollway highlights new maintenance sites designed to help protect local water quality
Display date: 2023-04-24
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="lvwyqguf" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Today the Illinois Tollway recognizes Go Orange Day to show support for the men and women working on our roadways","name":"20230420 Walk for Safety - Orange Day.png","width":"","description":"Today the Illinois Tollway recognizes Go Orange Day to show support for the men and women working on our roadways","title":"20230420 Walk for Safety - Orange Day.png","type":"document","uuid":"8291faed-0bcc-94f2-7c2c-137b9e8f60dc","fileEntryId":"1348445","resourcePrimKey":"1348470","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/20230420%20Walk%20for%20Safety%20-%20Orange%20Day.png/8291faed-0bcc-94f2-7c2c-137b9e8f60dc?t=1682017575285","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="bnndimzb" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Today the Illinois Tollway recognizes Go Orange Day to show support for the men and women working on our roadways","name":"20230420 Walk for Safety - Orange Day.png","width":"","description":"Today the Illinois Tollway recognizes Go Orange Day to show support for the men and women working on our roadways","title":"20230420 Walk for Safety - Orange Day.png","type":"document","uuid":"8291faed-0bcc-94f2-7c2c-137b9e8f60dc","fileEntryId":"1348445","resourcePrimKey":"1348470","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/20230420%20Walk%20for%20Safety%20-%20Orange%20Day.png/8291faed-0bcc-94f2-7c2c-137b9e8f60dc?t=1682017575285","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="ywothowz" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Today, the Illinois Tollway recognizes Go Orange Day to show support for the men and women working on our roadways]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="yookjbbt" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="kwcsbarm" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Today, the Illinois Tollway recognizes Go Orange Day to show support for the men and women working on our roadways. We’re wearing orange for the maintenance workers, H.E.L.P. truck drivers, Illinois State Police troopers and construction workers who risk their lives every day to keep our roadways safe and well-maintained for motorists. We’re also wearing orange to honor those who have lost their lives in work zones. Everyone plays a role in work zone safety. Go Orange Day is part of National Work Zone Awareness Week, an annual spring campaign at the start of construction season to encourage safe driving through highway work zones. The theme this year is, “You play a role in work zone safety. Work with us.”</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="okmxyzvq" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2023-04-20]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Today the Illinois Tollway recognizes Go Orange Day to show support for the men and women working on our roadways
Display date: 2023-04-20
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="gpvxuqtg" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Aurora maintenance site holds on to Tollways Extra Mile for Safety Award for a second year","name":"20230419 M8 Group Photo.png","width":"","description":"Aurora maintenance site holds on to Tollways Extra Mile for Safety Award for a second year","title":"20230419 M8 Group Photo.png","type":"document","uuid":"a2ac9e11-1ea0-6e54-1b6c-763cdb2bfe2d","fileEntryId":"1348076","resourcePrimKey":"1348096","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/20230419%20M8%20Group%20Photo.png/a2ac9e11-1ea0-6e54-1b6c-763cdb2bfe2d?t=1681936112914","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="lbdnueqc" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Aurora maintenance site holds on to Tollways Extra Mile for Safety Award for a second year","name":"20230419 M8 Group Photo.png","width":"","description":"Aurora maintenance site holds on to Tollways Extra Mile for Safety Award for a second year","title":"20230419 M8 Group Photo.png","type":"document","uuid":"a2ac9e11-1ea0-6e54-1b6c-763cdb2bfe2d","fileEntryId":"1348076","resourcePrimKey":"1348096","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/20230419%20M8%20Group%20Photo.png/a2ac9e11-1ea0-6e54-1b6c-763cdb2bfe2d?t=1681936112914","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="chsoshch" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Aurora maintenance site holds on to Tollway’s Extra Mile for Safety Award for a second year]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="suvtseeq" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="niqhgzfx" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>To train the Illinois Tollway’s Aurora (M-8) maintenance facility crew to safely and effectively do their jobs, M-8 Manager Brian Fuqua uses a tried-and-true technique he used when he was a high school football coach: circuit training. </p><p>Just like athletes get conditioned by performing a variety of exercises, the 27 roadway maintenance workers at M-8 gear up for what can be a sometimes dangerous job by learning how to properly use their many tools and equipment and perform their duties in small groups. </p><p>The Aurora maintenance facility is responsible for maintaining the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88) from Sugar Grove to Oak Brook and rain or shine. </p><p>Their work includes clearing roadway incidents, picking up debris, plowing snow, mowing grass, repairing electrical equipment, fixing guardrails and fences and other jobs to keep the roadways in good condition for customers. They also work with a variety of powerful tools: chainsaws, wood chippers, lawnmowers, jackhammers, concrete saws and acetylene cutting torches. </p><p>“We want everyone to come in, enjoy their work and most importantly, stay safe,” says Fuqua. “We don’t want training to get boring or stale. So we take them out into the yard in smaller groups and let everyone operate the machines or equipment. And safety flows from that.”</p><p>This commitment to training helped the Aurora maintenance facility repeat as winners of the Illinois Tollway’s annual Go the Extra Mile for Safety Award for 2023.</p><p>Tollway Chairman Arnie Rivera and Tollway leadership recognized the safety achievements at the Aurora maintenance site and presented the traveling trophy team at an awards luncheon on April 19. </p><p>The safety performance award is presented to one of the Tollway’s 12 maintenance facilities that achieves the highest cumulative score based on three safety criteria: incident rate, Toolbox Safety Talks and positive feedback from managers and supervisors who observe and document outstanding safety practices. </p><p>Toolbox Safety Talks are training resources available to maintenance facilities. Each month, the Tollway safety department recommends three safety topics for discussion. Topics include the three-contact rule for entering or exiting vehicles, back safety and proper equipment and materials handling. It also includes watching and discussing the Protect Your Assets series of safety videos, which cover topics including roadway debris removal, proper lifting techniques and moving equipment. </p><p>The Aurora crew conducted 103 Toolbox Safety Talks, which is nearly three times more than the required number of 36 talks. Twice each week, M-8 conducts training sessions on the operation and maintenance of various tools and equipment and discuss various situations maintenance crews might encounter on the roadway.</p><p>The Aurora maintenance facility also delivered more positive feedbacks than any other maintenance site, delivering 54 in 2022 – more than four times the number of positive feedbacks they delivered in 2021. In fact, all Tollway maintenance facilities together delivered significantly more positive feedback in 2022: nearly 200 in 2022, compared to only about 60 in 2021. </p><p>“It’s nice to pay compliments and show we appreciate their efforts,” said Fuqua, who keeps all the positive remarks in a binder near the 2021 Go the Extra Mile for Safety Award as a reminder to the crew that their good work is noticed. </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="mwpkffzg" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2023-04-19]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Aurora maintenance site holds on to Tollways Extra Mile for Safety Award for a second year
Display date: 2023-04-19
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="fnpvttyr" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"You play a role in work zone safety Illinois Tollway and other state agencies remind drivers during National Work Zone Awareness Week","name":"NWZSA-ChicagoRockford-blog_0423.png","width":"","description":"You play a role in work zone safety Illinois Tollway and other state agencies remind drivers during National Work Zone Awareness Week","title":"NWZSA-ChicagoRockford-blog_0423.png","type":"document","uuid":"66a90185-6824-5a28-5f28-b2162485ca83","fileEntryId":"1347939","resourcePrimKey":"1347882","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/NWZSA-ChicagoRockford-blog_0423.png/66a90185-6824-5a28-5f28-b2162485ca83?t=1681846313913","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="ldoohyrq" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"You play a role in work zone safety Illinois Tollway and other state agencies remind drivers during National Work Zone Awareness Week","name":"NWZSA-ChicagoRockford-blog_0423.png","width":"","description":"You play a role in work zone safety Illinois Tollway and other state agencies remind drivers during National Work Zone Awareness Week","title":"NWZSA-ChicagoRockford-blog_0423.png","type":"document","uuid":"66a90185-6824-5a28-5f28-b2162485ca83","fileEntryId":"1347939","resourcePrimKey":"1347882","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/NWZSA-ChicagoRockford-blog_0423.png/66a90185-6824-5a28-5f28-b2162485ca83?t=1681846313913","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="acbqwefc" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[“You play a role in work zone safety” Illinois Tollway and other state agencies remind drivers during National Work Zone Awareness Week]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="emniouyf" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="mykhqihy" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Reminding drivers that they play a critical role in maintaining safe work zones, the Illinois Tollway is joining other safety and transportation agencies, industry partners and construction workers to mark National Work Zone Awareness Week <br /> <br />With roadway construction occurring across Illinois, including nearly $1.5 billion the Tollway plans to invest in reconstructing and expanding its 294-mile system, drivers need to slow down, put away electronic devices and remember that “You play a role in work zone safety.”<br /> <br />”We’re asking drivers to take precautions in the work zones they will encounter this year as we make improvements that will result in safer, more efficient roads,” said Illinois Tollway Executive director Cassaundra Rouse. “Safety is our highest priority but we need drivers to help us protect the men and women who are doing this work. By working together, we can make our roads safer for everyone.”<br /> <br />The theme for National Work Zone Awareness Week this year is aimed at drivers: “You Play a Role in Work Zone Safety. Work With Us.” The message is intended remind drivers to slow down and proceed cautiously when they see signs alerting them of upcoming work zones. To call attention to the potential dangers of work zones, Gov. Pritzker has proclaimed April 17-21 as “Work Zone Safety Awareness Week” in Illinois. <br /> <br />In work zones, drivers should be ready for lane closures, changes in traffic patterns, reduced speed limits and the presence of workers and equipment. To promote safety in the field this week, the Illinois Department of Transportation is once again promoting “tailgate talks” among its staff to give workers refreshers on work zone protocol. <br /> <br />“Starting Year Five of Gov. JB Pritzker’s Rebuild Illinois capital program, with a boost from the federal infrastructure package, you can expect to encounter active projects all over the state regardless of your mode of transportation,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman. “When you pass through these work zones, please remember the people behind the cones and barricades. Like you, they want to get home safely to their friends and family at the end of the day. Please help ensure your safety and theirs by slowing down and giving them room to work.” <br /> <br />Each year, more than 6,000 motor vehicle crashes on average occur in Illinois work zones, resulting in more than 1,500 injuries. As of Jan. 31, preliminary statistics for 2022 show that 32 people died in work zones in Illinois, two of which were workers.<br /> <br />“Already this year, five Illinois State Police troopers have been injured because people didn’t slow down and move over when they saw the flashing lights of an emergency vehicle,” said Illinois State Police Director Brendan F. Kelly. “First responders and highway maintainers put their lives on the line every time they work on a roadway with cars speeding past. Do your part to help keep them safe – pay attention, slow down, and move over as you drive near and through work zones.” <br /> <br />The following guidelines for traveling through work zones should be followed at all times: </p><ul><li><strong>Drop it and drive</strong>. Phones and electronic devices down at all times – it’s the law. </li><li><strong>Obey the signs</strong>. They will help you safely navigate work zones – and sometimes avoid delays. </li><li><strong>Slow down</strong>. The posted speed limits are there for the safety of workers and you. </li><li><strong>Be on the lookout</strong> for slowed or stopped traffic. </li><li><strong>Consider the limitations</strong> of heavy equipment, trucks and commercial vehicles. Provide them extra distance to come to a complete stop if they are behind you.</li><li><strong>A work zone can take many forms:</strong> A maintenance crew patching potholes or collecting litter, a major interstate reconstruction, a minor repair on a neighborhood street or a utility company out in the field. If you see orange, slow down and save lives. </li></ul><p>For additional facts, printable materials and information on projects this year in Illinois, click here or visit <a target="_blank" href="http://idot.click/work-zones">idot.click/work-zones</a>. <br />Work zone safety will be another element of IDOT’s comprehensive multimedia campaign, “It’s Not a Game,” highlighting the fact that there are no extra lives, no respawns and no second chances to get it right with safety on the roads. Visit <a target="_blank" href="http://itsnotagameillinois.com">itsnotagameillinois.com</a> for more information. </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="xuztitck" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2023-04-18]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
You play a role in work zone safety Illinois Tollway and other state agencies remind drivers during National Work Zone Awareness Week
Display date: 2023-04-18
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="jcjemntc" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":1347301,"groupId":"20184","name":"20230417 WZA week Day 1.png","alt":"Marking National Work Zone Awareness Week Illinois Tollway reminds drivers to work with us to keep roads safe","title":"20230417 WZA week Day 1.png","type":"document","uuid":"3d496007-5269-64fe-3c18-aad8b0895063","fileEntryId":"1347301","resourcePrimKey":"1347321"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="zfjlwvqy" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":1347301,"groupId":"20184","name":"20230417 WZA week Day 1.png","alt":"Marking National Work Zone Awareness Week Illinois Tollway reminds drivers to work with us to keep roads safe","title":"20230417 WZA week Day 1.png","type":"document","uuid":"3d496007-5269-64fe-3c18-aad8b0895063","fileEntryId":"1347301","resourcePrimKey":"1347321"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="oxuvfxki" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Marking National Work Zone Awareness Week, Illinois Tollway reminds drivers to “work with us” to keep roads safe]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="yempkujv" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="lwsagaij" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>As roadway construction shifts into high gear, the Illinois Tollway is urging drivers to slow down and take extra precautions in work zones to protect themselves, construction and roadway workers, and emergency responders they’re likely to encounter while traveling this year on the Tollway system.<br /> <br />To help highlight the need for extra vigilance in work zones, Tollway is joining with other transportation agencies, Illinois State Police, as well as construction and labor groups, to mark National Work Zone Awareness Week, which begin today and runs through Friday, April 21.</p><p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FToKsGgk9EU?rel=0" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p><p>The Tollway and other participants this week will be using public events, social media and roadway signs to remind every driver that “you play a role in work zone safety. Work with us.”<br /> <br />“We pledge to protect our customers and workers by creating the safest possible work zones, but we’re asking drivers to do their part by slowing down, staying alert for workers by remembering that they play a critical role in keeping work zones safe for everyone,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse<br /> <br />The most important step drivers can take to protect themselves and roadway workers is to slow down in work zones and always follow posted speed limits, even if workers aren’t visible.<br /> <br />Drivers should be alert and watch for workers or construction equipment near or on the road.<br /> <br />And, distracted driving is illegal and dangerous, so drivers should always put away handheld phones and electronic devices.<br /> <br />Work zones will be spread across the Tollway system this year as the agency invests $1.47 billion to improve roads, bridges and interchanges to help make traveling safer and easier for drivers.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="uysdejsa" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2023-04-17]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Marking National Work Zone Awareness Week Illinois Tollway reminds drivers to work with us to keep roads safe
Display date: 2023-04-17
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="mmpqtumt" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Board Chairman Rivera highlights Tollway efforts to help small and diverse firms at Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce breakfast ","name":"IHCC-Breakfast-blog_0423.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway Board Chairman Rivera highlights Tollway efforts to help small and diverse firms at Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce breakfast ","title":"IHCC-Breakfast-blog_0423.png","type":"document","uuid":"2fdb5886-22fc-8be4-c5d3-345941eeac59","fileEntryId":"1345916","resourcePrimKey":"1345936","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/IHCC-Breakfast-blog_0423.png/2fdb5886-22fc-8be4-c5d3-345941eeac59?t=1681499351023","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="cetklwdk" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Board Chairman Rivera highlights Tollway efforts to help small and diverse firms at Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce breakfast ","name":"IHCC-Breakfast-blog_0423.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway Board Chairman Rivera highlights Tollway efforts to help small and diverse firms at Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce breakfast ","title":"IHCC-Breakfast-blog_0423.png","type":"document","uuid":"2fdb5886-22fc-8be4-c5d3-345941eeac59","fileEntryId":"1345916","resourcePrimKey":"1345936","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/IHCC-Breakfast-blog_0423.png/2fdb5886-22fc-8be4-c5d3-345941eeac59?t=1681499351023","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="bdrkwfzh" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Board Chairman Rivera highlights Tollway efforts to help small and diverse firms at Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce breakfast]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="nlwzjtsq" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="kspucnht" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Diversity, equity and inclusion remain a top priority for the Illinois Tollway under the leadership of new Tollway Board Chairman Arnie Rivera. </p><p>Rivera reaffirmed the Tollway’s commitment to helping small and diverse businesses grow and succeed at a recent Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce breakfast meeting. The April 13 meeting in Chicago attracted more than 200 members. </p><p>As the largest community of Hispanic business owners across Illinois and the Midwest, IHCC represents more than 100,000 businesses, including more than 2,000 disadvantaged business enterprise firms in Illinois. The chamber is also one of two organizations that works with the Tollway on its Technical Assistance Program; the other provider is Inner-City Underwriting Agency Inc. </p><p>Rivera, who serves as chief administrative and equity officer for Navy Pier, was appointed by Illinois Governor JB Pritzker in February to lead the Tollway Board in making investments in the state’s economic vitality while ensuring integrity and expanding opportunities. </p><p>Rivera comes to the Tollway as the agency continues to invest in the Illinois transportation network through its 15-year, $14 billion Move Illinois capital program. The goal of expanding opportunities is being achieved through these investments in infrastructure. </p><p>The Tollway provides opportunities for small, diverse and veteran-owned firms to participate on Tollway contracts through its Small Business Initiative, unbundling larger contracts into several smaller jobs. The agency further provides support and training through its Technical Assistance Program, as well as mentorships and strategic partnerships through its Partnering for Growth program. </p><p>More information on Tollway diversity programs is available <a target="_blank" href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/doing-business/diversity-overview">here</a> on the Tollway website. </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="kamztloa" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2023-04-14]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Board Chairman Rivera highlights Tollway efforts to help small and diverse firms at Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce breakfast
Display date: 2023-04-14
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="jlpwmzkv" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway recognizes Dispatch CAD team as its Emergency Communicators of the Year","name":"Telecomm-week-blog_0423.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway recognizes Dispatch CAD team as its Emergency Communicators of the Year","title":"Telecomm-week-blog_0423.png","type":"document","uuid":"c862d8fa-5edd-ebe9-2bd5-04d4a7415494","fileEntryId":"1343457","resourcePrimKey":"1343477","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/Telecomm-week-blog_0423.png/c862d8fa-5edd-ebe9-2bd5-04d4a7415494?t=1681308420884","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="rdacgzrl" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway recognizes Dispatch CAD team as its Emergency Communicators of the Year","name":"Telecomm-week-blog_0423.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway recognizes Dispatch CAD team as its Emergency Communicators of the Year","title":"Telecomm-week-blog_0423.png","type":"document","uuid":"c862d8fa-5edd-ebe9-2bd5-04d4a7415494","fileEntryId":"1343457","resourcePrimKey":"1343477","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/Telecomm-week-blog_0423.png/c862d8fa-5edd-ebe9-2bd5-04d4a7415494?t=1681308420884","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="zlqfwvxl" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway recognizes Dispatch CAD team as its Emergency Communicators of the Year]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="hcydjlwk" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="rqazbpka" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Public safety dispatchers are often called the unsung heroes in headsets. They’re the calm voice in the dark. The thin gold line that connects the bold red and blue lines representing firefighters and police. <br /> <br />They are the first voice you hear when you call 911 for emergency assistance and they play a critical role in helping people in times of urgent need.<br /> <br />The Illinois Tollway each year recognizes its telecommunicators for their vital contributions to public safety on its roadways and in the communities it serves as part of National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, which runs this year on April 9-15. <br /> <br />“Illinois Tollway telecommunicators offer calm and confident service during times when our customers need it most, and we appreciate the hard work they do,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. “They play a critical role by coordinating information and emergency services to ensure help is on the way, and we are thankful for their service.”</p><p>In addition, this year, the Tollway is recognizing its entire computer-aided dispatch team as its “Gold Line Team Members of the Year.” In addition to their main responsibilities of answering 911 calls for emergencies on the Tollway system, CAD staff has been training other Dispatch staff on a new, upgraded dispatch system since January. <br /> <br />The new system has additional capabilities, including the ability to pinpoint the location of cellphones used to make calls to 911, which will improve accuracy and response times for first responders. The CAD team was responsible for learning the new system and teaching other telecommunicators how to use it before its “go-live” date later in April 2023. <br /> <br />The CAD team includes Call Taker Shannon Holbert, Telecommunicators C.J. Ruiz and Bryan Walston, as well as Dispatch Supervisor Capers Funnye.<br /> <br />“The Illinois Tollway and its Dispatch team appreciate the hard work, professionalism and dedication of the CAD team as they continue to train staff on the use of our new CAD system,” said Tollway Dispatch Manager Craig Lundt. <br /> <br />“On more than one occasion, their coworkers have come into my office – unsolicited – to pay a compliment about one of the CAD team members. They talked about how well they instruct the class or their patience in explaining a procedure on using the updated system. They do extraordinary work day in and day out, but their efforts these past several months have been nothing short of incredible.” <br /> <br />Illinois Tollway Dispatch employs approximately 24 public safety telecommunicators and call takers responsible for providing reliable emergency communications 24/7/365 for Roadway Maintenance and Illinois State Police Troop 15, the special troop that patrols the 294-mile Tollway system. Telecommunicators answer calls relayed from local 911 centers and work in coordination with the Tollway Traffic Operations Center to communicate information to frontline responders. <br /> <br />Last year, Tollway telecommunicators handled more than 150,000 calls for assistance, from helping motorists involved in crashes, to medical situations to traffic stops and roadway maintenance. Tollway Dispatch handle calls from throughout the 12 counties the Tollway services, making it one of the busiest emergency dispatch centers in Illinois. <br /> <br />Can you be the voice of calm in even the most traumatic situations? Can you maintain your composure and direct others in the midst of chaos? You may have what it takes to be a public safety dispatcher. If so, we invite you to fill out a job interest card to work for the Illinois Tollway. </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="pltcfrpf" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2023-04-12]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway recognizes Dispatch CAD team as its Emergency Communicators of the Year
Display date: 2023-04-12
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="aguuutwd" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Foundation Mechanics rise to new heights with help from Illinois Tollway diversity programs","name":"202304 Foundation Mechanics Placeholder.png","width":"","description":"Foundation Mechanics rise to new heights with help from Illinois Tollway diversity programs","title":"202304 Foundation Mechanics Placeholder.png","type":"document","uuid":"39e87991-f54c-f42f-bf94-cb6aca2ae777","fileEntryId":"1341794","resourcePrimKey":"1341814","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/202304%20Foundation%20Mechanics%20Placeholder.png/39e87991-f54c-f42f-bf94-cb6aca2ae777?t=1680702367638","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="blyyqcrq" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Foundation Mechanics rise to new heights with help from Illinois Tollway diversity programs","name":"202304 Foundation Mechanics Placeholder.png","width":"","description":"Foundation Mechanics rise to new heights with help from Illinois Tollway diversity programs","title":"202304 Foundation Mechanics Placeholder.png","type":"document","uuid":"39e87991-f54c-f42f-bf94-cb6aca2ae777","fileEntryId":"1341794","resourcePrimKey":"1341814","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/202304%20Foundation%20Mechanics%20Placeholder.png/39e87991-f54c-f42f-bf94-cb6aca2ae777?t=1680702367638","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="aedyywly" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Foundation Mechanics rise to new heights with help from Illinois Tollway diversity programs]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="becwgpby" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="blxfijfs" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>When Jennifer Kelecius and a business partner launched Foundation Mechanics in 2011, they mostly did consulting work for another company, then began doing a variety of smaller construction and landscaping projects.</p><p>The firm continued with only a handful of employees until 2016 when Kelecius won an Illinois Tollway contract under a small business set-aside program to serve as the prime contractor on a $1.4 million project to make landscaping improvements along a 30-mile stretch of the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90).</p><p>Buoyed by that success, Kelecius soon enrolled her business in other Tollway diversity initiatives intended to give small, diverse, woman-owned firms more opportunities to compete for Tollway projects--and the company began winning additional contracts for Tollway construction and landscaping work.</p><p>Since then, Foundation Mechanics has participated in 26 more Tollway contracts, including a new $2.1 million construction contract it won in March, while serving as a prime contractor on 19 of those contracts. During that time, the company has doubled in size from six employees to 13, allowing it to take on additional work from the Tollway as well as doing projects for other public agencies and private businesses, Kelecius said.</p><p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tmIDC44bXpg?rel=0" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p><p>“I don’t feel that we would have been able to get to this point, without the aid and resources that these Tollway programs have provided for us,” said Kelecius, who is president and owner of the Chicago-based business. “We were given the opportunity to show everybody what we could do.”</p><p>The company has progressed to the point it was named the Tollway’s Small Business Contractor of the Year in 2021 for the work it did in helping construct an access road from a toll plaza near Aurora on the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88) to Illinois Route 25. Foundation Mechanics installed a retaining wall, built drainage structures and did earthwork that included mitigating lead contamination found in the soil.</p><p>The Tollway asked for the work to be accelerated so the road would be completed in time for snowplows to use it during the winter—a request Kelecius is proud her company was able to accommodate by working six days a week.</p><p>“So we were able to meet a request from the Tollway that required longer hours, larger crews and overall a faster-paced schedule while being a small business with limited resources,” she said, noting her company had won the contract under the Tollway’s Small Business Initiative.</p><p>The program identifies specific construction contracts usually valued at less than $5 million that can be done by smaller companies serving as prime contractors. Joining that initiative helped open up new opportunities to bid for a portion of larger projects, she said. Her company has won eight Tollway contacts as part of the agency’s Small Business Initiative.</p><p>“We were able to have more bidding opportunities,” Kelecius said. “We were able to bid on more diverse projects, doing things like roadway work and bridge repairs.”</p><p>Each of the Tollway programs offered a different type of assistance that helped the company grow.</p><p>Kelecius also enrolled in the Tollway’s Technical Assistance Program, which is designed to help smaller, diverse firms to gain knowledge of Tollway protocols and bid procedures and also offer the support needed for those businesses better compete for work on agency projects.</p><p>“The Technical Assistance Program has great resources we were able to reach out to, who helped guide us through any type of questions we had,” she said. “We’ve been able to better provide for the Tollway as a client now because we are more understanding of their policies and procedures.”</p><p>Looking to the future, Foundation Mechanics more recently joined the Tollway’s new Emerging Technology Partnering for Growth Program, which encourages large contractors to help introduce smaller, diverse firms to new, developing technologies.</p><p>As part of that program, Foundation won a $3.9 million contract in October 2022 to perform earthwork and drainage improvements along a portion of the new I-490 Tollway. That work will include using computerized 3D grading equipment to more accurately and rapidly perform the required drainage work. </p><p>“This is advanced technology we wouldn’t necessarily have access to without the emerging technology program,” Kelecius said. “We’re always looking for opportunities in the innovative market.”</p><p>Taken together, the Tollway programs have provided vital assistance that has shaped the way the company looks today. </p><p>“I believe our business, if we hadn’t taken advantage of these programs, would be back where we were in the first five years after we started,” she said. “We would still be a little bit scared to take on these larger projects.”<br /> </p><p class="xxx"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"></span></span></span></p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="aozpqxnw" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2023-04-05]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Foundation Mechanics rise to new heights with help from Illinois Tollway diversity programs
Display date: 2023-04-05
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<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="eqdonqnd" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"No repairs needed-Illinois Tollway Carpenter Shop honored for perfect safety record in 2022","name":"202304 Carpenter ZeroInjuries-blog_0423.jpg","width":"","description":"No repairs needed-Illinois Tollway Carpenter Shop honored for perfect safety record in 2022","title":"202304 Carpenter ZeroInjuries-blog_0423.jpg","type":"document","uuid":"ef379bd2-3dec-4a0b-c8fd-70de9fc3c5f4","fileEntryId":"1341285","resourcePrimKey":"1341406","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/202304%20Carpenter%20ZeroInjuries-blog_0423.jpg/ef379bd2-3dec-4a0b-c8fd-70de9fc3c5f4?t=1680627483906","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="mrmdnvmv" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"No repairs needed-Illinois Tollway Carpenter Shop honored for perfect safety record in 2022","name":"202304 Carpenter ZeroInjuries-blog_0423.jpg","width":"","description":"No repairs needed-Illinois Tollway Carpenter Shop honored for perfect safety record in 2022","title":"202304 Carpenter ZeroInjuries-blog_0423.jpg","type":"document","uuid":"ef379bd2-3dec-4a0b-c8fd-70de9fc3c5f4","fileEntryId":"1341285","resourcePrimKey":"1341406","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/202304%20Carpenter%20ZeroInjuries-blog_0423.jpg/ef379bd2-3dec-4a0b-c8fd-70de9fc3c5f4?t=1680627483906","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="krgdpxza" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[No repairs needed: Illinois Tollway Carpenter Shop honored for perfect safety record in 2022]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="ydmznkrq" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="fiubdbqt" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>They paint walls, construct offices, lay carpeting and even repair broken door locks at 200 buildings and garages across the Illinois Tollway system.</p><p>The 12 carpenters and 4 painters who staff the Tollway’s Carpenter Shop “do it all—whatever needs to be done,” said Chief Facilities Officer Dave Donovan.</p><p>What they didn’t do last year was suffer any on-the-job injuries—a notable accomplishment considering the range and complexity of the work they do, as well as the variety of tools they use.</p><p>“I’m proud of that record,” Donovan said. “It reflects their skill and professionalism, along with the emphasis we put on safety.”</p><p>The workers, who are based at the Central Auto Garage in Downers Grove, are given a safety briefing when they receive their daily work assignments to make sure they understand their tasks and have the tools and equipment needed to do those jobs.</p><p>“We constantly stress safety,” Donovan said. “Doing a job safely is always the most important thing.”</p><p>That’s vital because the work the carpenters and painters do is varied and frequently physically demanding, including using ladders to reach high places, or moving bulky materials.</p><p>One day, his crews may be installing, taping and painting drywall to create new storage or office space. The next day, workers may be building storage units, shelving, cabinets or even bookshelves.</p><p>“They’re the finest carpenters I’ve ever been around,” Donovan said. “I’m always amazed when I see what they’ve done.”</p><p>The workers also regularly handle power equipment such as saws, drills and nail guns.</p><p>The Tollway works to provide the carpenters and painters with the best equipment available, even obtaining a high tech table saw that uses sensors to instantly stop the saw if it detects an obstacle—including fingers or hands—in the path of the whirling blade.</p><p>“It’s amazing technology and it fits with our goal of making sure we work as safely as possible,” said Donovan.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="lcocfefa" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2023-04-04]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
No repairs needed-Illinois Tollway Carpenter Shop honored for perfect safety record in 2022
Display date: 2023-04-04
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="vihdgrqi" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway CFO named among 2023 Notable CFOs by Crains Chicago Business","name":"202304 Cathy Williams.jpg","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway CFO named among 2023 Notable CFOs by Crains Chicago Business","title":"202304 Cathy Williams.jpg","type":"document","uuid":"ab50dfbe-d7af-a32c-4bc3-7322ccb0cdf5","fileEntryId":"1341017","resourcePrimKey":"1341037","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/202304%20Cathy%20Williams.jpg/ab50dfbe-d7af-a32c-4bc3-7322ccb0cdf5?t=1680556127744","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="mpwflgln" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway CFO named among 2023 Notable CFOs by Crains Chicago Business","name":"202304 Cathy Williams.jpg","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway CFO named among 2023 Notable CFOs by Crains Chicago Business","title":"202304 Cathy Williams.jpg","type":"document","uuid":"ab50dfbe-d7af-a32c-4bc3-7322ccb0cdf5","fileEntryId":"1341017","resourcePrimKey":"1341037","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/202304%20Cathy%20Williams.jpg/ab50dfbe-d7af-a32c-4bc3-7322ccb0cdf5?t=1680556127744","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="qzgqjibg" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway CFO named among 2023 Notable CFOs by Crain’s Chicago Business]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="ohsjcxhg" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="nvsehgpm" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Illinois Tollway finances are in the hands of a woman recognized as one of the best in the business.<br /> <br />Crain’s Chicago Business named Tollway Chief Financial Officer Cathy Williams among its “2023 Notable CFOs” for her accomplishments at the agency, leadership in the finance industry and active role in her community.<br /> <br />“Congratulations to Cathy Williams for being recognized by Crain’s for her impressive, dedicated work as our chief financial officer,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. “She is a savvy financial professional whose expertise helped successfully guide the Tollway through the pandemic to keep our capital program on track and an outstanding person, as well.” <br /> <br />Williams holds a BSBA in Accounting from Roosevelt University, a MBA in Finance and Strategy from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, and a CPA (inactive) from the State of Illinois. She has extensive experience in both the public and private sectors with leadership roles in accounting, auditing, financial management, investment and portfolio management, and private equity. <br /> <br />She is currently responsible for managing the budget for the Tollway’s 15-year, $14 billion capital program, Move Illinois: The Illinois Tollway Driving the Future, as well as the agency’s more than $400 million operating budget.<br /> <br />She is also responsible for the agency’s general accounting, financial reporting, accounts payable, payroll, risk management, procurement and business systems. In addition, her responsibilities include oversight of debt management, cash and investments and coordination of the audit of the agency’s annual financial statements.<br /> <br />Like many businesses, one of the biggest financial challenges for the Illinois Tollway in recent years has been the COVID-19 pandemic. Williams successfully navigated the Tollway through the unanticipated revenue decline and capital funding needs and helped staff adapt to a hybrid work environment.<br /> <br />She met the Tollway’s financial goals and objectives while facilitating an upgrade to the agency’s bond rating in 2021. Williams was able to achieve these solid results through her strong business acumen in collaboration with Tollway staff and key stakeholders including the Illinois Tollway Board of Directors, state officials, financial underwriters and advisors and external consultants.<br /> <br />Outside of the Tollway, Williams is active in her community. She has served on the board of two Chicago-based nonprofit organizations, Ladies of Virtue and Storycatchers Theatre. Ladies of Virtue is a mentoring program that prepares young women for leadership and exposes them to opportunities to discover new careers and realize personal growth. Storycatchers works with youth in the juvenile justice system to help them transform traumatic experiences into powerful musical theater. Additionally, Williams served as Executive Board Member and Vice President of the Parent Association Council (PAC) at the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (IMSA) in Aurora. </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="skygyxla" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2023-04-03]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway CFO named among 2023 Notable CFOs by Crains Chicago Business
Display date: 2023-04-03
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="stpdswda" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Unpaid Illinois Tollway Toll Invoices Will Result In Violation Notices","name":"20230403 VEP Release for Blog.png","width":"","description":"Unpaid Illinois Tollway Toll Invoices Will Result In Violation Notices","title":"20230403 VEP Release for Blog.png","type":"document","uuid":"ad428491-0afc-cf2f-aa20-e87feb343c2f","fileEntryId":"1340191","resourcePrimKey":"1340711","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/20230403%20VEP%20Release%20for%20Blog.png/ad428491-0afc-cf2f-aa20-e87feb343c2f?t=1680527899873","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="tjzzalvn" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Unpaid Illinois Tollway Toll Invoices Will Result In Violation Notices","name":"20230403 VEP Release for Blog.png","width":"","description":"Unpaid Illinois Tollway Toll Invoices Will Result In Violation Notices","title":"20230403 VEP Release for Blog.png","type":"document","uuid":"ad428491-0afc-cf2f-aa20-e87feb343c2f","fileEntryId":"1340191","resourcePrimKey":"1340711","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/20230403%20VEP%20Release%20for%20Blog.png/ad428491-0afc-cf2f-aa20-e87feb343c2f?t=1680527899873","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="ajydywhw" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Unpaid Illinois Tollway Toll Invoices Will Result In Violation Notices]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="hnqwesss" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="vvskzmpo" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Last-chance discounts now offered on outstanding invoices alongside fee dismissal for income-eligible customers enrolled in I-PASS Assist.</p><p>After an overwhelmingly successful amnesty program, a broad expansion of the I-PASS Assist program and completion of complex technological changes required to restructure the Illinois Tollway’s violation enforcement program, the Illinois Tollway reminds customers that unpaid tolls may result in the issuance of violation notices. </p><p>“It is important to note that violation notices will only be issued after a long notification process that includes multiple invoices with smaller fees. In addition, we are offering a one-time discount for customers with outstanding invoices, as well as continuing our I-PASS Assist program for those who may be struggling financially and in need of additional relief,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. </p><p>“Moreover, as a result of a pilot program approved by the Tollway Board of Directors, the Illinois Tollway will no longer issue escalated $50 fines. We are proud of these programs and all of the other assistance we are providing our customers. It is our hope that every customer takes advantage of all the ways the Tollway offers to pay tolls and avoid fees.” </p><p>Starting in April, customers who have received multiple invoices and reminders for the same unpaid tolls will receive a notice of violation that, if ignored, will result in a $20 fine assessed on each unpaid toll. These fines will be in addition to any previously assessed invoice fees.</p><p>As the Tollway begins reinstating violation notices, customers with outstanding initial toll invoices issued between June 1, 2020, and September 30, 2022, will have a six-month hold placed on notices and will be eligible for a discount of up to 50 percent off fees on paid invoices. </p><p>Customers with outstanding initial toll invoices issued on or after October 1, 2022, will be issued a Notice of Violation, which may result in an additional $20 fine per toll. However, customers will have an opportunity to dispute violations including via a hearing. </p><p>In addition, income-eligible customers who qualify for I-PASS Assist and also establish an I-PASS account may have their fees dismissed. </p><p><strong>Illinois Tollway violation enforcement program timeline.</strong></p><p><img alt="" src="/documents/20184/1338615/VEP-timeline-graphic-700x235_0323.png/c162196e-8e14-c1fc-705c-1af74d838cf0?t=1680205580684" /><br /> </p><p>Since unpaid toll invoicing began in 2020 along with the agency’s transition to cashless tolling, the Illinois Tollway estimates that more than 6 million invoices have gone unpaid, with a troubling trend of repeat non-compliance in a growing number of customers. This includes more than $110 million in unpaid tolls over the past three years. </p><p><strong>TOLLING 2020 REFORMS</strong><br />In March 2020, the Illinois Tollway adopted an invoicing model to reduce the initial impact of unpaid tolls on motorists. Invoices provide a reduction in initial costs associated with unpaid tolls, offering a much lower initial fee of $3 per toll for passenger cars. </p><p>The Illinois Tollway also launched its industry-leading Pay By Plate service, now used by over 3 million customers. The Pay By Plate service allows customers to enter their plate and payment information for up to 14 days after travel to avoid paying any fees or fines. </p><p>In June 2020, the Tollway began offering an extensive amnesty program, reducing outstanding $20 and $50 fines assessed prior to March 2020 down to $3 per toll. As the most successful amnesty programs in Tollway history, customers received over $130 million in relief, clearing debt for more than 325,000 customers with outstanding violation notices. </p><p>In addition, the Illinois Tollway Board of Directors expanded I-PASS Assist, creating meaningful enhancements to a program that enables income-eligible customers to receive the benefits of I-PASS. Households under 250 percent of the federal poverty level are now eligible for free transponders and invoice fee dismissals, ensuring working individuals and families have access to the same cost savings as the Tollway’s 5.3 million existing I-PASS customers. </p><p><strong>ABOUT THE ILLINOIS TOLLWAY</strong><br />The Illinois Tollway is a user-fee system that receives no state or federal funds for maintenance and operations. The agency maintains and operates 294 miles of roadways in 12 counties in Northern Illinois, including the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355), the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80) and the Illinois Route 390 Tollway.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="fcazcpnh" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2023-04-03]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Unpaid Illinois Tollway Toll Invoices Will Result In Violation Notices
Display date: 2023-04-03
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="jclpoybx" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway staff encourage high school students to pursue careers in transportation industry ","name":"20230323 HS Outreach.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway staff encourage high school students to pursue careers in transportation industry ","title":"20230323 HS Outreach.png","type":"document","uuid":"1ed807e0-7fc4-e59d-1204-34e4abdeb991","fileEntryId":"1337205","resourcePrimKey":"1337226","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/20230323%20HS%20Outreach.png/1ed807e0-7fc4-e59d-1204-34e4abdeb991?t=1679587471175","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="wickwotp" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"","name":"20230323 HS Outreach.png","width":"","description":"","title":"20230323 HS Outreach.png","type":"document","uuid":"1ed807e0-7fc4-e59d-1204-34e4abdeb991","fileEntryId":"1337205","resourcePrimKey":"1337226","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/20230323%20HS%20Outreach.png/1ed807e0-7fc4-e59d-1204-34e4abdeb991?t=1679587471175","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="tgklrtbf" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway staff encourage high school students to pursue careers in transportation industry]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="otmsthry" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="jwidwvpo" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Senior Project Manager Rick Hanba loves seeing his work as a civil engineer transform from concept to reality. <br /> <br />Community Relations Manager Lauren Platt enjoys using her skills to solve a variety of issues in collaboration with others.<br /> <br />Their advice for students at Grant Community High School in Fox Lake? A career at the Illinois Tollway offers many exciting possibilities. <br /> <br />Grant Community High School in Fox Lake invited the Tollway to come talk to students at its annual career fair in March. The fair offered an estimated gathering of approximately 1,000 students the chance to hear from more than 60 representatives of local businesses, government agencies, educational institutions and labor unions to participate in the annual event. <br /> <br />The experiences shared by Hanba and Platt illustrate for students the types of careers available in the transportation industry. <br /> <br />“I like driving by knowing I had a hand in building these projects,” says Hanba, who works on numerous road, bridge and maintenance facility projects for the Tollway. <br /> <br />Engineering, he says, is a great career for people who enjoy challenges, finding solutions and working with others to implement those solutions. His career path has taken him from inspecting roadway projects to now being responsible for managing those projects.<br /> <br />“No two days are the same, which challenges all of us to solve problems differently,” says Platt, who serves as the Tollway liaison with local and state government officials. “We are empowered to think creatively and collaborate both internally and externally with our peers. I enjoy learning from my peers who make me better at my job every day.” <br /> <br />Platt encourages students to explore all the different career options available based on their interests – something she wishes she knew when she was in high school. She highly recommends students consider engineering or planning based on her positive experiences working at the Illinois Tollway. </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="bcxjcgon" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2023-03-23]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway staff encourage high school students to pursue careers in transportation industry
Display date: 2023-03-23
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="qubuekpk" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":1336682,"groupId":"20184","name":"20230322 DAC Group.png","alt":"Illinois Tollway introduces Emerging Technology Program for DBEs to Diversity Advisory Council","title":"20230322 DAC Group.png","type":"document","uuid":"dd085b91-96f4-9d85-3c92-16af35610c89","fileEntryId":"1336682","resourcePrimKey":"1336802"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="gbhtpizy" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":1336682,"groupId":"20184","name":"20230322 DAC Group.png","alt":"Illinois Tollway introduces Emerging Technology Program for DBEs to Diversity Advisory Council","title":"20230322 DAC Group.png","type":"document","uuid":"dd085b91-96f4-9d85-3c92-16af35610c89","fileEntryId":"1336682","resourcePrimKey":"1336802"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="sjtlllsf" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway introduces Emerging Technology Program for DBEs to Diversity Advisory Council]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="rxvphkvc" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="uviibtnb" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Always looking to adopt new technologies available in the transportation industry, the Illinois Tollway is increasingly turning to cutting-edge tools such as 3D modeling, intelligent transportation systems in planning, designing and building roads and bridges. <br /> <br />So, when Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse and new Board Chairman Arnie Rivera met with the Tollway’s Diversity Advisory Council, they embraced the opportunity to seek input on ways to prepare small, diverse and veteran-owned firms to obtain training of new technologies to remain competitive. <br /> <br />The Diversity Advisory Council includes representatives from nearly 30 advocacy organizations with a history of assisting small, diverse and veteran-owned business, as well as individuals seeking workforce assistance and training. <br /> <br />“We know that diversity can lead to innovation and fresh perspectives on ways of doing business,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. “We developed an Emerging Technology Program to help entrepreneurs develop the technology skills they need to grow and succeed, but we are always open for suggestions from our industry partners on how we can make our programs better.” </p><p>The initiative creates opportunities for disadvantaged business enterprise firms to receiving expert training and mentoring in the use and implementation of the latest construction equipment and technology and dovetails the Tollway’s Partnering for Growth Program. <br /> <br />Members of the Diversity Advisory Council were quick to embrace the program, including representatives from the Elite Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business Network and the Federation of Women Contractors. They expressed their eagerness for the Tollway to explore other leading-edge technologies and innovations. <br /> <br />The Emerging Technology Program creates two paths for small and diverse firms to access training and mentoring. <br /> <br />First, the Tollway partners with larger construction firms and equipment manufacturers to provide virtual and hands-on training sessions with equipment such as automated machine guidance using 3D modeling for earthwork, grading and installation of closed-circuit TV cameras. <br /> <br />The Tollway bolsters this training by advertising several contracts exclusively for small businesses featuring this technology and including incentives to offset the cost of renting or purchasing new equipment and software. <br /> <br />Next, the Tollway connects large and small contractors to work together on training and use of new technology and equipment. These short-term relationships – typically 12 months or less – are not tied to any specific contract, but allow small and diverse contractors to access training and equipment owned by larger firms so they can stay current with industry trends and remain competitive on future contracting opportunities.<br /> <br />In 2023, the Tollway plans to offer one or two more small business contracts for 3D grading improvements and is exploring other potential contract and training opportunities it can offer through the Emerging Technology Program. <br /> <br />See the Tollway’s <a target="_blank" href="/doing-business/diversity-development/programs/partnering-for-growth">website</a> for more details. </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="gtgidahr" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2023-03-22]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway introduces Emerging Technology Program for DBEs to Diversity Advisory Council
Display date: 2023-03-22
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="wtohedlv" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Two ways to save on tolls with one simple app","name":"TW2S_banner_update.jpg","width":"","description":"Two ways to save on tolls with one simple app","title":"TW2S_banner_update.jpg","type":"document","uuid":"7ef3b3a0-73c9-a5e9-f6f6-886062826339","fileEntryId":"1333981","resourcePrimKey":"1334501","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/TW2S_banner_update.jpg/7ef3b3a0-73c9-a5e9-f6f6-886062826339?t=1679319001197","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="qirprgjy" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Two ways to save on tolls with one simple app","name":"TW2S_banner_update.jpg","width":"","description":"Two ways to save on tolls with one simple app","title":"TW2S_banner_update.jpg","type":"document","uuid":"7ef3b3a0-73c9-a5e9-f6f6-886062826339","fileEntryId":"1333981","resourcePrimKey":"1334501","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/TW2S_banner_update.jpg/7ef3b3a0-73c9-a5e9-f6f6-886062826339?t=1679319001197","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="jgjozddt" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Two ways to save on tolls with one simple app. Download the official Illinois Tollway app today!]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="vdntbkqb" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="ceqoqzhk" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>A quick, money-saving way for drivers to pay their tolls and avoid any fees or fines now is as close as their smartphone.<br /> <br />It’s the <a href="/il-tollway-app">Official Illinois Tollway App</a>, which lets drivers use their phones or mobile devices to easily update or manage their I-PASS accounts, including adding or purchasing transponders, adding or changing payment methods and managing rental vehicle or new vehicles.</p><p>Drivers who don’t have I-PASS can use the app to create a Pay By Plate account that automatically pays their tolls.</p><p>To open a Pay By Plate account, just enter a license plate and a payment method and never worry again about being assessed fees or fines for unpaid tolls.</p><p>The app also allows drivers to easily convert Pay By Plate into an I-PASS account, to receive a 50 percent discount on the Illinois Tollway.</p><p>Because safety is priceless, drivers can use the app to call for roadside assistance with the press of a button for help with roadway emergencies so they can safely complete their trips.</p><p>With the app, paying tolls and saving money is as easy as driving on the Illinois Tollway.</p><p><strong><a href="/il-tollway-app">So get the app and start saving today</a></strong>.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="cgswkjgm" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2023-03-20]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Two ways to save on tolls with one simple app
Display date: 2023-03-20
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="gwiunrzo" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Introduces ConstructionWorks Jobs Programs to Faith-Based Community","name":"BRule-CW_blog_0323.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway Introduces ConstructionWorks Jobs Programs to Faith-Based Community","title":"BRule-CW_blog_0323.png","type":"journal","uuid":"27649705-7438-3128-b48a-206e2e8595b1","fileEntryId":"1328704","resourcePrimKey":"1328702","url":"/documents/924058/1328703/BRule-CW_blog_0323.png/27649705-7438-3128-b48a-206e2e8595b1?t=1677880994744","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="hoflxqyy" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="avxasnui" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Introduces ConstructionWorks Jobs Programs to Faith-Based Community]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="enxdcmbf" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="sjrvzfom" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>In his 10 years working in various customer service positions at the Illinois Tollway, Messenger Services Supervisor Bryant Rule is used to helping others. </p><p>And, it carries over into his life outside the Tollway where he serves as one of the pastors with the Church of God in Christ in Northern Illinois. </p><p>“I believe in relationships,” says Rule. “Whatever you can do to help someone along the way, that’s what you do.”</p><p>So, when Rule met Terry Miller, the Tollway’s chief of Diversity and Strategic Development, and struck up a conversation in the hallway that included how the Tollway was looking for people eager to work in the construction industry, Rule instantly found a way to connect his work with his passion and help others living in his community. </p><p>Tollway staff and church leaders were looped in and plans were made to introduce ConstructionWorks, the Tollway’s program designed to help diverse men and women enter careers in the heavy-highway construction industry, at the Friendly Temple Church of God in Christ on the South Side of Chicago in December. </p><p>The day of the ConstructionWorks presentation, about 20 men waiting in the church foyer about an hour before the presentation was scheduled to begin. A half hour later, there were 50 people. By the time the presentation started, nearly 100 people had come to hear about ConstructionWorks. Of those, more than 30 people immediately signed up.</p><p>“I think it’s best thing the Tollway has ever done in the 10 years I’ve been here,” says Rule. “Because, in my culture, we have people who made mistakes when they were young. And they just need an opportunity. And the Tollway came along with a plan that gives them that opportunity.” </p><p>Based on the success of the first event, Rule requested another ConstructionWorks event – this time to St. Mark’s Church of God in Christ in Chicago in February. More people showed up – about 130 – and 40 signed up to enlist in ConstructionWorks. </p><p>After some welcome remarks by Bishop Edwin Walker, the audience heard from several men who had registered for ConstructionWorks at the December meeting and how they were making great progress toward starting their careers in the construction industry trades – good-paying, high-demand jobs such as equipment operators, electricians, iron workers and cement masons. </p><p>The news about ConstructionWorks is spreading throughout the South Side – not only in the churches, but in barber shops, grocery stores and on bus stops, says Rule. </p><p>“Word is getting out, the Tollway has a plan,” he said. “The Tollway is saying we got it. And not only do we have it, we’re willing to come to your community and bring it to you. Where are you going to find that? We’ll bring it to your community. We’re not just saying it. Everybody says stuff. Everybody promises. We’re saying it and we’re doing it. That’s awesome.” </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="xmkcouen" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2023-03-03]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Introduces ConstructionWorks Jobs Programs to Faith-Based Community
Display date: 2023-03-03
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="cjjldtka" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"College students invited to apply for Illinois Tollway 2023 internships","name":"College students invited to apply for Illinois Tollway 2023 internships.png","width":"","description":"College students invited to apply for Illinois Tollway 2023 internships","title":"College students invited to apply for Illinois Tollway 2023 internships","type":"document","uuid":"335a4da4-6a27-27bc-1c50-ebf3535a7688","fileEntryId":"1328407","resourcePrimKey":"1328428","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/College%20students%20invited%20to%20apply%20for%20Illinois%20Tollway%202023%20internships.png/335a4da4-6a27-27bc-1c50-ebf3535a7688?t=1677849243133","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="xcruxobj" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="zqeytewk" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway invites college students, grads to apply for 2023 internships]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="esituogv" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="yeauchdi" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>There are more career opportunities available in the transportation industry than just engineers, planners and traffic managers. There are also opportunities in traditional office professions such as IT, HR and finance, as well as in warehouse positions and the skilled trades. </p><p>That’s why the Illinois Tollway is offering college students and recent graduates summer internships in a variety of departments, as well as full-year internships in engineering and business systems. Eligible students can apply online on the Tollway’s website through March 31. </p><p>“The Illinois Tollway is a great place to work with many different career paths,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse, “so the Tollway 2023 Internship Program will offer a diverse group of students firsthand experiences and on-the-job training in a wide range of jobs, as well as mentoring by some of the most knowledgeable professionals in the transportation business.” </p><p> </p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td><p><a class="btn btn-primary" target="_blank" href="https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/illinoistollway/jobs/3918302/professional-services-internship-program-various-departments">Apply now<br />Professional Services</a></p></td><td><p><a class="btn btn-primary" target="_blank" href="https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/illinoistollway/jobs/3927665/engineering-cooperative-education-program-co-op">Apply now<br />Engineering Co-op</a></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>Students interested in learning more about the Tollway’s Internship Program can sign up for one of two online information sessions or view a recording of the session in the Careers section on the Tollway’s website: </p><ul><li>Tuesday, March 7, from 10–11 a.m. <a target="_blank" href="https://bit.ly/3YDSTiX">https://bit.ly/3YDSTiX</a></li><li>Monday, March 27, from 1–2 p.m. CST <a target="_blank" href="https://bit.ly/3XDlYcP">https://bit.ly/3XDlYcP</a></li></ul><p>The Tollway’s paid internships include a 10-week summer Professional Services Internship that begins June 1. Students will be assigned to one of seven Tollway departments, including Administration, Facilities and Fleet, Finance, Information Technology, Planning, Toll Operations and Traffic and Incident Management. </p><p>The Engineering Cooperative Education Internship provides instruction on the three phases of a project – planning, design and construction. The Engineering Co-Op and Business Systems internships run from June 2023 through May 2024. </p><p>“We are committed to building a pipeline of new engineers and our goal is to help develop the next generation of working professionals with skills necessary to launch careers within the transportation industry,” said Rouse. </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="fkmpnqux" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2023-03-03]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
College students invited to apply for Illinois Tollway 2023 internships
Display date: 2023-03-03
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="spolpyya" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"365 days 0 injuries M-11 maintenance site recognized for its perfect 2022 safety record","name":"M11 ZeroInjuries-Crossroads_0123.jpg.png","width":"","description":"365 days 0 injuries M-11 maintenance site recognized for its perfect 2022 safety record","title":"M11 ZeroInjuries-Crossroads_0123.jpg","type":"document","uuid":"d0eab905-8ece-5bd0-ede5-e021d5a5be18","fileEntryId":"1325193","resourcePrimKey":"1325518","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/M11%20ZeroInjuries-Crossroads_0123.jpg.png/d0eab905-8ece-5bd0-ede5-e021d5a5be18?t=1677002407935","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="snswqomy" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"365 days 0 injuries M-11 maintenance site recognized for its perfect 2022 safety record","name":"M11 ZeroInjuries-Crossroads_0123.jpg.png","width":"","description":"365 days 0 injuries M-11 maintenance site recognized for its perfect 2022 safety record","title":"M11 ZeroInjuries-Crossroads_0123.jpg","type":"document","uuid":"d0eab905-8ece-5bd0-ede5-e021d5a5be18","fileEntryId":"1325193","resourcePrimKey":"1325518","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/M11%20ZeroInjuries-Crossroads_0123.jpg.png/d0eab905-8ece-5bd0-ede5-e021d5a5be18?t=1677002407935","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="dyesrjjs" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[365 days, 0 injuries: M-11 maintenance site recognized for its perfect 2022 safety record]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="cathvsmg" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="otmhttyb" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>They continuously patrolled 37 miles of roadway, assisting drivers and clearing crash scenes, operated snowplows and other heavy equipment and staffed shifts around the clock—all without sustaining a single on-the-job injury in 2022.<br /> <br />The Illinois Tollway is honoring the roadway workers at the DeKalb M-11 maintenance site for their outstanding safety record last year.<br /> <br />The DeKalb maintenance site on the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88) was the only one among the Tollway’s 12 maintenance garages whose crew racked up a perfect safety record in 2022. <br /> <br />“This is a huge accomplishment for them to go a year without an injury, especially given the work they do and the conditions they can face on our roads,” said Darrion Robinson, chief of maintenance and traffic. “For us, it all starts with safety. Our customers use our roads 24/7 and we need to always be ready to assist them and still stay safe.”<br /> <br />DeKalb Maintenance Site Manager Don Ryan credits his team’s perfect record last year to the Tollway’s emphasis on safety and on the hard work put in by his crew of about 20 equipment operator/laborers, mechanics and supervisors to do their jobs properly.<br /> <br />“It says a lot about the character of the people we have working here,” said Ryan, a 30-year veteran of the Tollway. “They take pride in what they do, they look out for each other and they make sure everyone goes home safe at the end of the day,” <br /> <br />At Tollway maintenance sites, supervisors hold daily briefings with workers to go over their assignments for he day, Robinson said. Those meetings also include safety reminders and are a way to make sure all workers have the proper safety equipment they need to carry out their assigned tasks.<br /> <br />“We never compromise on safety,” said Robinson, a 33-year Tollway veteran who began his career as an equipment operator/laborer.<br /> <br />For his part, Ryan said he frequently reminds his team to do their work safely, whether that means using the proper technique to change tires and lift heavy objects, or to not hesitate to call for assistance if they need extra help clearing debris or handling a difficult situation while patrolling I-88.<br /> <br />“We stress the importance of safety every day—it’s take your time to do the job right, think safe, work safe,” Ryan said. “Nothing is so important it has to be done in a split second.” <br /> <br />To recognize the DeKalb maintenance site’s accomplishment, the Tollway is hanging a banner in the garage saluting the team’s perfect safety record last year.<br /> <br />It will serve as a good reminder of what can be accomplished by stressing the critical importance of working safely.<br /> <br />“We want to be safe and perform at the highest level,” Robinson said.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="dmekkyjk" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2023-02-21]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
365 days 0 injuries M-11 maintenance site recognized for its perfect 2022 safety record
Display date: 2023-02-21
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="qqycvtro" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"The Illinois Tollway congratulates firms behind Tollway projects earning 2023 Engineering Excellence Awards","name":"2023-ACEC-blog_0223.png","width":"","description":"The Illinois Tollway congratulates firms behind Tollway projects earning 2023 Engineering Excellence Awards","title":"2023-ACEC-blog_0223.png","type":"document","uuid":"9727260a-fecb-f4a9-3591-866f27762336","fileEntryId":"1324611","resourcePrimKey":"1324640","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/2023-ACEC-blog_0223.png/9727260a-fecb-f4a9-3591-866f27762336?t=1676671720976","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="jtkccakr" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"The Illinois Tollway congratulates all the firms behind the four Tollway projects earning 2023 Engineering Excellence Awards","name":"2023-ACEC-blog_0223.png","width":"","description":"The Illinois Tollway congratulates all the firms behind the four Tollway projects earning 2023 Engineering Excellence Awards","title":"2023-ACEC-blog_0223.png","type":"document","uuid":"9727260a-fecb-f4a9-3591-866f27762336","fileEntryId":"1324611","resourcePrimKey":"1324640","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/2023-ACEC-blog_0223.png/9727260a-fecb-f4a9-3591-866f27762336?t=1676671720976","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="xflwuorf" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway congratulates firms behind Tollway projects earning 2023 Engineering Excellence Awards]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="hchxxers" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="guauyvhv" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">The Illinois Tollway congratulates all the firms behind the four Tollway projects earning 2023 Engineering Excellence Awards from the American Council of Engineering Companies of Illinois. </span></span></span></span></p><ul><li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:105%"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:105%"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Tri-State Tollway (I-294)/I-57 Interchange – T.Y. Lin (T.Y. Lin International) and Wight & Co. (Wight & Company)</span></span></span></span></span></span></li><li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:105%"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:105%"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">BNSF Railway Bridge over I-294 – Gannett Fleming (Gannett Fleming), TranSystems (TranSystems) and H.R. Green (HR Green, Inc.)</span></span></span></span></span></span></li><li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:105%"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:105%"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Gantry System for Mile Long Bridge on I-294 – Collins Engineers (Collins Engineers, Inc.)</span></span></span></span></span></span></li><li style="margin-bottom:11px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:105%"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:105%"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Archer Avenue Interchange Bridges – SE3 LLC (SE3)</span></span></span></span></span></span></li></ul><p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">We are proud to be part of the outstanding team delivering these exceptional projects for our communities and customers!</span></span></p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="wxyyehwr" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2023-02-17]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
The Illinois Tollway congratulates all the firms behind the four Tollway projects earning 2023 Engineering Excellence Awards
Display date: 2023-02-17
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="uvhcpurq" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway offers more income-eligible drivers cost-saving benefits through I-PASS Assist Program","name":"20230216 IPASS Assist.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway offers more income-eligible drivers cost-saving benefits through I-PASS Assist Program","title":"20230216 IPASS Assist.png","type":"document","uuid":"eb7781b1-a6c5-0cf6-f3ba-9b649e3b97bc","fileEntryId":"1324293","resourcePrimKey":"1324314","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/20230216%20IPASS%20Assist.png/eb7781b1-a6c5-0cf6-f3ba-9b649e3b97bc?t=1676563254752","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="fsurpfix" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"","name":"20230216 IPASS Assist.png","width":"","description":"","title":"20230216 IPASS Assist.png","type":"document","uuid":"eb7781b1-a6c5-0cf6-f3ba-9b649e3b97bc","fileEntryId":"1324293","resourcePrimKey":"1324314","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/20230216%20IPASS%20Assist.png/eb7781b1-a6c5-0cf6-f3ba-9b649e3b97bc?t=1676563254752","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="ripihkxo" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway offers more income-eligible drivers cost-saving benefits through I-PASS Assist Program]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="hiaozfic" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="rsoaxovn" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>More income-eligible drivers are receiving the cost-saving benefits of I-PASS after signing up for I-PASS Assist Accounts that also offer few up-front costs.</p><p>The number of active I-PASS Assist accounts has more than quadrupled to more than 12,200, as a result of ongoing Illinois Tollway outreach efforts since enhancing the program in 2022. <br /> <br />Working through a partnership with the Illinois Department of Revenue, the Tollway is able to verify the eligibility of households for I-PASS Assist using a secure web form that requires minimal information to determine if household incomes fall below the required threshold, which is based on 250 percent of Federal Poverty Guidelines.<br /> <br />I-PASS Assist offers eligible drivers all the benefits of I-PASS, including the standard 50 percent discount on tolls, an easy way to manage travel costs and smooth, seamless travel on the 294-mile Tollway system.<br /> <br />Additionally, the program provides additional savings and benefits, including waiving the standard $10 deposit fee for an I-PASS transponder and allowing enrolled drivers to open an account with as little as $4 in prepaid tolls.</p><p>When account balances get low, drivers also can automatically replenish their I-PASS accounts by adding only $4.<br /> <br />And participants may have fees accrued from unpaid tolls dismissed—and avoid future fees for missed tolls.<br /> <br />“We want to make the benefits of I-PASS available to more drivers by eliminating the deposit for I-PASS transponders and lowering replenishment costs so they don’t pose a barrier to drivers,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. “Everyone should be able to easily access our roads to more efficiently and safely reach their jobs, homes or other destinations.”<br /> <br />As a bonus for signing up for I-PASS Assist, the Tollway has awarded $20 gift cards to about 5,500 drivers participating in this program. The cards can’t be used to pay tolls, but can be used for any other expenses—travel-related or not.<br /> <br />The gift cards will be provided to new participants while supplies last.</p>
<div class="col-sm-12"><p> </p><p><a class="btn btn-primary" target="_blank" href="https://www.getipass.com/ipass-assist#applyToday">Apply Today</a> <a class="btn btn-primary" target="_blank" href="https://www.getipass.com/ipass-assist#checkStatus">Check Status</a></p></div>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="iuodidcc" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2023-02-16]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway offers more income-eligible drivers cost-saving benefits through I-PASS Assist Program
Display date: 2023-02-16
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="itdeecxi" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Receives CISCO Project of the Year Award for the Tri-State Tollway I-294 I-57 Interchange Project","name":"CISCO POY award-blog_0223.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway Receives CISCO Project of the Year Award for the Tri-State Tollway I-294 I-57 Interchange Project","title":"CISCO POY award-blog_0223.png","type":"document","uuid":"19ef3780-e938-6f5d-c174-8a00344a7081","fileEntryId":"1323301","resourcePrimKey":"1323326","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/CISCO%20POY%20award-blog_0223.png/19ef3780-e938-6f5d-c174-8a00344a7081?t=1676061658241","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="zeculmll" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Receives CISCO Project of the Year Award for the Tri-State Tollway I-294 I-57 Interchange Project","name":"CISCO POY award-blog_0223.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway Receives CISCO Project of the Year Award for the Tri-State Tollway I-294 I-57 Interchange Project","title":"CISCO POY award-blog_0223.png","type":"document","uuid":"19ef3780-e938-6f5d-c174-8a00344a7081","fileEntryId":"1323301","resourcePrimKey":"1323326","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/CISCO%20POY%20award-blog_0223.png/19ef3780-e938-6f5d-c174-8a00344a7081?t=1676061658241","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="rkalokxs" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Receives CISCO Project of the Year Award for the Tri-State Tollway (I-294)/I-57 Interchange Project]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="bmgtxsmc" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="qcvytnfm" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p><cite>Pictured (from L to R): Deputy Chief of Program Implementation Sarah Kukadia, Chief Financial Officer Cathy Williams, Chief Operating Officer Jeffrey Donoghue, Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse, Chief Engineering Officer Manar Nashif; Chief Information Officer Michael Shay and Deputy Chief of Program Implementation Jeffrey Allen. </cite></p><p>Illinois Tollway leadership and staff were on hand at the Construction Industry Service Corporation (CISCO) Annual Meeting in Schaumburg to receive the CISCO 2022 Project of the Year Award in the Infrastructure category for the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/-/cisco-names-i-294-i-57-interchange-its-2022-project-of-the-year-for-infrastructure">Tri-State Tollway (I-294)/I-57 Interchange Project</a>.</p><p>The CISCO Pride in Construction Awards Program recognizes top-quality union construction projects in five different categories, including new construction, renovation, residential construction and infrastructure, as well as individuals who are making a difference in the construction industry. </p><p>CISCO is a non-profit labor management association that brings union construction labor and management representatives together to work cooperatively to better the construction industry.</p><p>Judging criteria for the CISCO 2022 Project of the Year Award in the Infrastructure category was based on quality of construction, design, impact on the community and safety record.</p><p>Go <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cisco.org/projects-of-the-year/">here</a> for more information about the CISCO Pride in Construction Awards Program winners. </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="rjgulncg" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2023-02-10]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Receives CISCO Project of the Year Award for the Tri-State Tollway I-294 I-57 Interchange Project
Display date: 2023-02-10
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="fxkvtbdz" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Forest Preserve District of Will County presents Appreciation for Partners Award to Illinois Tollway","name":"202302 Will County Forest Preserve.png","width":"","description":"Forest Preserve District of Will County presents Appreciation for Partners Award to Illinois Tollway","title":"202302 Will County Forest Preserve.png","type":"document","uuid":"cf063d22-3137-9ab1-2826-6195421d0e3f","fileEntryId":"1322563","resourcePrimKey":"1322584","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/202302%20Will%20County%20Forest%20Preserve.png/cf063d22-3137-9ab1-2826-6195421d0e3f?t=1675970452965","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="phzaptni" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Forest Preserve District of Will County presents Appreciation for Partners Award to Illinois Tollway","name":"202302 Will County Forest Preserve.png","width":"","description":"Forest Preserve District of Will County presents Appreciation for Partners Award to Illinois Tollway","title":"202302 Will County Forest Preserve.png","type":"document","uuid":"cf063d22-3137-9ab1-2826-6195421d0e3f","fileEntryId":"1322563","resourcePrimKey":"1322584","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/202302%20Will%20County%20Forest%20Preserve.png/cf063d22-3137-9ab1-2826-6195421d0e3f?t=1675970452965","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="mbqwmkso" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Forest Preserve District of Will County presents Appreciation for Partners Award to Illinois Tollway]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="qxsrpbly" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="nalurynd" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Forest Preserve District of Will County presented its 2022 “Appreciation for Partners” award to the Illinois Tollway at its Board of Commissioners meeting on February 9 in Joliet. </p><p>Each year, the Forest Preserve District selects its award honoree from dozens of organizations that support its mission to protect and enhance Will County’s natural and cultural resources for the benefit of current and future generations. </p><p>This year, the Illinois Tollway was selected for its longstanding support and advocacy for development of the Veterans Memorial Trail, a more than 3.5-mile multi-use trail that runs parallel to the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355) in the southwest suburbs. </p><p>Last year, the City of Lockport was chosen for its commitment to the 3.5-mile trail extension from Spring Creek Greenway Trail in Hadley Valley to 159th Street. The Lower DuPage River Watershed Coalition also received the partnership award for its support and provision of resources to make the Hammel Woods dam removal project possible. </p><p>“What started as a line on a map over 25 years ago, the vision for the Veterans Memorial Trail continues to come to fruition and be an asset to Will County and beyond,” said Forest Preserve District Executive Director Ralph Schultz. “With continued commitment of the Tollway and local agencies, it is the Forest Preserve’s hope to make the remaining phases of the Veterans Memorial Trail a reality.”</p><p>In addition to the Veterans Memorial Trail, the Illinois Tollway has longed worked in partnership with the Forest Preserve District on other projects, including restoration and preservation of more than 180 acres of wetlands, prairies and savannas, as well as development of three public-access sites and nearly 5 miles of multi-use trails along Spring Creek in the Hadley Valley Preserve in Joliet near the interchange that connects I-355 to I-80. </p><p>“We are grateful for this recognition of our longtime partnership with the Forest Preserve District of Will County,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. <br />“We are happy to have played a role in supporting the Veterans Memorial Trail and other projects that have protected and enhanced the environment.”</p><p>Click <a target="_blank" href="https://www.reconnectwithnature.org/preserves-trails/trails/veterans-memorial-trail">here </a>for more information about the Veterans Memorial Trail. </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="tvuojsql" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2023-02-09]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Forest Preserve District of Will County presents Appreciation for Partners Award to Illinois Tollway
Display date: 2023-02-09
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="mzqrjjrj" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Big trucks big crowds lots of interest in Illinois Tollway toll-paying programs at Midwest Truck and Trailer Show","name":"truckandtrailershow-blog_2.jpg","width":"","description":"Big trucks big crowds lots of interest in Illinois Tollway toll-paying programs at Midwest Truck and Trailer Show","title":"truckandtrailershow-blog_2.jpg","type":"document","uuid":"151cec1a-ddeb-bb09-57d1-f976427a0aee","fileEntryId":"1322009","resourcePrimKey":"1322030","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/truckandtrailershow-blog_2.jpg/151cec1a-ddeb-bb09-57d1-f976427a0aee?t=1675802751332","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="ggadyaxy" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Big trucks big crowds lots of interest in Illinois Tollway toll-paying programs at Midwest Truck and Trailer Show","name":"truckandtrailershow-blog_2.jpg","width":"","description":"Big trucks big crowds lots of interest in Illinois Tollway toll-paying programs at Midwest Truck and Trailer Show","title":"truckandtrailershow-blog_2.jpg","type":"document","uuid":"151cec1a-ddeb-bb09-57d1-f976427a0aee","fileEntryId":"1322009","resourcePrimKey":"1322030","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/truckandtrailershow-blog_2.jpg/151cec1a-ddeb-bb09-57d1-f976427a0aee?t=1675802751332","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="pvmwrgbr" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Big trucks, big crowds, lots of interest in Illinois Tollway toll-paying programs at Midwest Truck & Trailer Show]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="cyumfnie" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="dhqkmvgq" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Along with rows of shining semi tractor-trailers, fancy travel accessories and even chiropractic services, the Illinois Tollway was a popular attraction at the Mid-West Truck & Trailer Show in Peoria.<br /> <br />Hundreds of visitors stopped by the Tollway booth at the regional show this month to talk to agency staff and get information about popular toll-paying programs, including I-PASS and Pay By Plate.<br /> <br />“It’s another way for us to reach out to our customers,” said Chief Planning Officer Rocco Zucchero. “Truckers are a big portion of our customers and they’ve been good partners. We’re there to answer questions, provide information and do whatever we can to show truckers and other attending the event that the Tollway system can help them efficiently reach their destinations.”<br /> <br />Sponsored by the Mid-West Truckers Association, the three-day show at the Peoria Civic Center billed as “the biggest little truck show in the country,” is one of many transportation-related events Tollway staffers attend annually to answer questions and provide drivers with information about the Tollway system.<br /> <br />Many of the visitors who stopped by the Tollway booth at the event wanted information about the agency’s Pay By Plate service, which allows drivers without I-PASS to easily pay their tolls online.<br /> <br />“We introduced our Pay By Plate option to a lot of people who don’t use our system regularly and aren’t familiar with it,” said Community Relations Manager Lauren Platt. “These are customers who typically don’t live in our region but occasionally use our system and are looking for a quick, easy method of paying their tolls.”<br /> <br />Drivers can enroll in the payment program by entering their license plate information and a payment option such as a credit card. Their tolls then will be paid automatically whenever they travel on the Tollway system.<br /> <br />To sign up for the program or to obtain more information, drivers can visit the Tollway’s website at illinoistollway.com. </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="nmzqxyzn" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2023-02-07]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Big trucks big crowds lots of interest in Illinois Tollway toll-paying programs at Midwest Truck and Trailer Show
Display date: 2023-02-07
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="sgbsxnpc" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Joining Illinois Tollways Partnering for Growth Program helped veteran-owned engineering firm build its success","name":"OrionEngineers-blog_0123.png","width":"","description":"Joining Illinois Tollways Partnering for Growth Program helped veteran-owned engineering firm build its success","title":"OrionEngineers-blog_0123.png","type":"document","uuid":"2a030baa-f612-3d37-5bd6-b19d07145750","fileEntryId":"1321426","resourcePrimKey":"1321453","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/OrionEngineers-blog_0123.png/2a030baa-f612-3d37-5bd6-b19d07145750?t=1675697571813","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="zpoesaty" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Joining Illinois Tollways Partnering for Growth Program helped veteran-owned engineering firm build its success","name":"OrionEngineers-blog_0123.png","width":"","description":"Joining Illinois Tollways Partnering for Growth Program helped veteran-owned engineering firm build its success","title":"OrionEngineers-blog_0123.png","type":"document","uuid":"2a030baa-f612-3d37-5bd6-b19d07145750","fileEntryId":"1321426","resourcePrimKey":"1321453","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/OrionEngineers-blog_0123.png/2a030baa-f612-3d37-5bd6-b19d07145750?t=1675697571813","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="hxukviiv" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Joining Illinois Tollway’s Partnering for Growth Program helped veteran-owned engineering firm build its success]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="pzhjcvmm" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="psuydolq" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>When he decided to pursue Illinois Tollway contracts in hopes of expanding his two-person engineering firm, Charles Frangos thought it would help to get some guidance from a more established business already familiar with Tollway procedures and projects.<br /> <br /><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_SuHe8Tkidc?rel=0" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><br /> <br />So in 2016, Frangos—a professional engineer and U.S. Navy veteran--enrolled his year-old firm, Orion Engineers, in the Tollway’s Partnering for Growth Program, which pairs small, diverse and veteran-owned businesses working as subcontractors with mentoring firms that have experience working with the Tollway. <br /> <br />Since joining the program as a protégé firm, Orion Engineers has worked on eight Tollway contracts, gaining critical skills and experience while expanding to its current 22 employees, which allows it to take on more work for the Tollway, as well as from other transportation agencies and utility companies.<br /> <br />“Without the Partnering for Growth Program, we would not be able to expand the way we have over the last six years,” said Frangos, who serves as president and CEO of the Chicago-based firm. “We still might be two or three guys working on local projects, so this program really opened up a lot of opportunities to work on large projects.”<br /> <br />Earlier this year, Orion Engineers—named for the type of reconnaissance plane Frangos flew on during his military service—won a $3 million contract to serve for the first time as a prime contractor to provide systemwide design services to the Tollway, including pavement marking and repairs.<br /> <br />Under that contract, Frangos’ firm now will take on a new role in the program and for the first time serve as a mentor providing guidance and advice to a small, woman-owned engineering firm, Urban Hydro Engineering, Inc., that will be assisting with that work. <br /> <br />Frangos said he’s eager to share with another small engineering firm the knowledge his company gained during its tenure in the program, which initially including using Tollway-specific procedures and software, preparing invoices, using the agency’s e-builder construction contract management system and meeting the Tollway’s strict scheduling and deadline requirements.<br /> <br />In other, later contracts, the guidance Orion received shifted into more technical aspects of engineering, which Frangos said helped the firm get pre-qualified by the Illinois Department of Transportation to provide construction and structural inspections, as well as do highway design work.<br /> <br />“Because of the additional pre-qualifications and capacity we were able to acquire through Partnering for Growth, Orion has been able to do work with other agencies as well. We are now serving as a prime contractor for IDOT, Exelon and federal agencies throughout the country,” Frangos said.<br /> <br />Along with helping develop professional partnerships, mentor and protégé firms participating in the P4G program earn bid credits that may give them a competitive edge in seeking future contracts for Tollway work.<br /> <br />The benefits Orion earned by participating in the program also will be part of the message Frangos plans to share as his firm mentors other businesses.<br /> <br />“We have had so much success in the program and we really wanted to share the insights and experiences that we’ve had in the Partnering for Growth Program by becoming a mentor,” Frangos said.<br /> <br />That’s a key goal of the program, as is encouraging more firms to gain the skills and experience needed to work on Tollway projects, which in turn creates a larger pool of qualified businesses the agency can use for future projects.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="foriiaqb" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2023-02-06]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Joining Illinois Tollways Partnering for Growth Program helped veteran-owned engineering firm build its success
Display date: 2023-02-06
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="fxvtwkhu" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"WTS Greater Chicago Welcomes Illinois Tollway Leadership","name":"2023 WTS-blog_0123.png","width":"","description":"WTS Greater Chicago Welcomes Illinois Tollway Leadership","title":"2023 WTS-blog_0123.png","type":"document","uuid":"3f62684d-c450-3ecb-fbc3-baba510bfe15","fileEntryId":"1319553","resourcePrimKey":"1319574","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/2023%20WTS-blog_0123.png/3f62684d-c450-3ecb-fbc3-baba510bfe15?t=1675185990095","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="ncyrjkor" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"WTS Greater Chicago Welcomes Illinois Tollway Leadership","name":"2023 WTS-blog_0123.png","width":"","description":"WTS Greater Chicago Welcomes Illinois Tollway Leadership","title":"2023 WTS-blog_0123.png","type":"document","uuid":"3f62684d-c450-3ecb-fbc3-baba510bfe15","fileEntryId":"1319553","resourcePrimKey":"1319574","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/2023%20WTS-blog_0123.png/3f62684d-c450-3ecb-fbc3-baba510bfe15?t=1675185990095","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="cdltdrqh" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[WTS Greater Chicago Welcomes Illinois Tollway Leadership]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="isvabngz" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="glvfqfxv" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The WTS Greater Chicago Chapter hosted a networking event recognizing the Illinois Tollway including Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse in her new leadership position. The event provided an opportunity for Tollway leadership to connect with about 100 members of WTS Greater Chicago, which promotes the development and advancement of women transportation professionals in the public and private sectors and students pursuing careers in the transportation industry. </p><p>Pictured: Cassaundra Rouse and Dorothy Abreu are joined by WTS Greater Chicago Board members</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="czutwpxo" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2023-01-31]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
WTS Greater Chicago Welcomes Illinois Tollway Leadership
Display date: 2023-01-31
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<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="gjvttqpz" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"National Weather Service Recognizes the Illinois Tollway as StormReady to Respond to Severe Weather","name":"202301 Storm Ready.png","width":"","description":"National Weather Service Recognizes the Illinois Tollway as StormReady to Respond to Severe Weather","title":"202301 Storm Ready.png","type":"document","uuid":"a59b69a9-5192-1b0c-59dd-b40779eb3463","fileEntryId":"1318922","resourcePrimKey":"1318943","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/202301%20Storm%20Ready.png/a59b69a9-5192-1b0c-59dd-b40779eb3463?t=1674750295277","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="emmqbcnj" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"National Weather Service Recognizes the Illinois Tollway as StormReady to Respond to Severe Weather","name":"202301 Storm Ready.png","width":"","description":"National Weather Service Recognizes the Illinois Tollway as StormReady to Respond to Severe Weather","title":"202301 Storm Ready.png","type":"document","uuid":"a59b69a9-5192-1b0c-59dd-b40779eb3463","fileEntryId":"1318922","resourcePrimKey":"1318943","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/202301%20Storm%20Ready.png/a59b69a9-5192-1b0c-59dd-b40779eb3463?t=1674750295277","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="luowthzi" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[National Weather Service Recognizes the Illinois Tollway as “StormReady” to Respond to Severe Weather]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="pomtorex" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="nbkhhlxv" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway has a well-established track record of being prepared for extreme weather, earning it the distinction of being certified StormReady by the National Weather Service. </p><p>“The Illinois Tollway is ready at any given moment to respond to any type of extreme weather to keep customers safe on our roadways,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. “Safety is a top priority for the Tollway and we have developed comprehensive, proactive plans and procedures to anticipate, communicate and respond to hazardous weather conditions.” </p><p>Each winter, the Tollway deploys its fleet of 196 snowplows, employs more than 200 staff and supervisors working around the clock and stockpiles tons of salt and other roadway materials to ensure its more than 1.5 million daily drivers can safely reach their destinations. The Tollway also deploys around-the-clock Zero Weather Road Patrols to quickly locate and assist customers who become stranded on the Tollway system whenever temperatures or sustained wind chills fall below zero degrees. </p><p>In the summer months, the Tollway deploys 24-hour Hot Weather Patrols whenever temperatures or heat indexes rise to hazardous extremes. And, in June 2022, Tollway staff helped respond to a very large and destructive tornado that damaged 225 homes and injured at least eight people in Naperville and Woodridge. </p><p>The National Weather Service recently recognized the Illinois Tollway as “StormReady” to respond quickly and effectively to dangerous weather conditions on any of the five roadways that make up the 294-mile Tollway system in Northern Illinois. </p><p>The StormReady program was developed by the National Weather Service, which is part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and provides weather, water and climate data, as well as forecasts, warnings and impact-based decision support services for the protection of life and property. </p><p>The StormReady program helps community leaders and emergency managers strengthen their local safety programs by providing clear-cut guidelines on how to improve hazardous weather operations, providing opportunities for the Tollway to work in collaboration with the National Weather Service to promote public safety during extreme weather events. </p><p>As part of a review process, local representatives of the National Weather Service and several emergency management agencies toured the Tollway’s Traffic Operations Center and Dispatch Center and met with Tollway staff to discuss the ways in which the agency meets the qualifications to be certified StormReady. The Tollway meets the criteria through its comprehensive planning and preparation, including: </p><ul><li>24/7/365 emergency Traffic Operations Center</li><li>Robust weather notification system that includes two-way radio communications, data messaging, cellphones, emails, social media platforms, ham radio weather spotter networks and roadway signage to directly communicate with motorists and the communities served by the Tollway system</li><li>Emergency hazardous weather operations plans to protect employees, with well-coordinated evacuation routes and shelter areas</li></ul><p>The Illinois Tollway is one of only three toll agencies nationwide that’s recognized by the National Weather Service among the nearly 3,200 StormReady sites throughout the United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Pacific Islands. In Illinois, there are more than 150 sites recognized as StormReady, including 36 counties, 90 communities, 19 universities and colleges, seven commercial and two government agencies – the Illinois Tollway and Argonne National Laboratory. StormReady certification must be renewed every four years. </p><p>See the National Weather Service website for more information about the StormReady Program. </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="zwpcipyc" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2023-01-26]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
National Weather Service Recognizes the Illinois Tollway as StormReady to Respond to Severe Weather
Display date: 2023-01-26
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<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="mvhsutob" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Introduces New Look For HELP Trucks Sponsored by GEICO","name":"GeicoHELP-blog_0123.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway Introduces New Look For HELP Trucks Sponsored by GEICO","title":"GeicoHELP-blog_0123.png","type":"document","uuid":"ffbab0ec-b67f-07df-e9f9-654b6e27126e","fileEntryId":"1317203","resourcePrimKey":"1317224","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/GeicoHELP-blog_0123.png/ffbab0ec-b67f-07df-e9f9-654b6e27126e?t=1674141635266","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="qrxdclow" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Introduces New Look For HELP Trucks Sponsored by GEICO","name":"GeicoHELP-blog_0123.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway Introduces New Look For HELP Trucks Sponsored by GEICO","title":"GeicoHELP-blog_0123.png","type":"document","uuid":"ffbab0ec-b67f-07df-e9f9-654b6e27126e","fileEntryId":"1317203","resourcePrimKey":"1317224","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/GeicoHELP-blog_0123.png/ffbab0ec-b67f-07df-e9f9-654b6e27126e?t=1674141635266","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="vsyubjty" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Introduces New Look For HELP Trucks Sponsored by GEICO]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="jipgbhlk" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="wshdvfyl" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway is kicking off the New Year with a new look for its Highway Emergency Lane Patrol (H.E.L.P.) trucks. The new look introduces GEICO as the new, exclusive sponsor of the Tollway’s roadway assistance program for customers in need. <br /> <br />“The Illinois Tollway is pleased to launch this partnership with GEICO that supports our vital roadside assistance service for customers on our roadways,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. “Safety is always our highest priority, and we know that GEICO shares our commitment to providing rapid, effective assistance to drivers who need help while using our roads.”<br /> <br />The innovative sponsorship provides financial support for Tollway H.E.L.P. truck operations while creating a unique partnership to help promote roadway safety and the services offered by the Tollway’s H.E.L.P. program. Motorists need not have insurance with GEICO to use the program. <br /> <br />“GEICO is proud of this new partnership with H.E.L.P. GEICO has a long history of promoting driver safety and this opportunity helps us contribute to making the state's highways safer for Illinoisans and those passing through,” said Frank Pickering, GEICO’s Vice President of Operations, Physical Damage. “Drivers can also do their part – by putting that phone down and driving alert, not distracted.”<br /> <br />The H.E.L.P. program plays a critical role on the Tollway system by quickly removing disabled vehicles from active traffic lanes, safeguarding those drivers while reducing the risk of secondary crashes. <br /> <br />H.E.L.P trucks are often the first to arrive at a traffic incident and provide an array of services to stranded motorists that include changing flat tires, providing jump starts, adding coolant and fuel, and calling for tow trucks.<br /> <br />H.E.L.P. trucks sponsored by GEICO patrol the 294-mile Tollway system from 4 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday, and typically provide customers with roadside assistance within 15 minutes.<br /> <br />In 2022, H.E.L.P. trucks patrolled more than 1.1 million miles on the Tollway and assisted more than 27,000 drivers.<br /> <br />Tollway customers who need roadway assistance should dial *999. Drivers can learn more about the program and provide feedback <a target="_blank" href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/travel-information">online</a>.<br /> <br />Customers who receive roadway assistance from H.E.L.P. trucks are encouraged to share information about the assistance they received by posting to social media using the hashtags #HELPtruck and #GEICOSafetyPatrol.<br /> <br />As an additional service, the Tollway offers the <a href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/travel-information/help-truck-tracker">H.E.L.P. Truck Tracker</a> to allow drivers who have requested roadside assistance to identify where the patrol trucks are along the road and when they are headed in their direction. The Tracker is active during hours of H.E.L.P. Truck operations. <br /> <br />The Tollway reminds all drivers that they are required by law to slow down and, if possible, move over for any stopped vehicle that has its hazard lights flashing. The Waze traffic app posts the location of HELP trucks that are stopped with their emergency lights activated, providing additional warning to drivers near that location to slow down and move over.</p><p><strong>About GEICO</strong><br /><a target="_blank" href="https://www.geico.com/">GEICO</a> (Government Employees Insurance Company), the second-largest auto insurer in the U.S., was founded in 1936 and insures more than 28 million vehicles in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. A member of the Berkshire Hathaway family of companies, GEICO constantly strives to make lives better by protecting people against unexpected events while saving them money and providing an outstanding customer experience. Along with personal auto insurance, commercial auto and personal umbrella coverages are also available. Homeowners, renters, condo, flood, identity theft, term life, and more coverages are written through non-affiliated insurance companies and are secured through the GEICO Insurance Agency, Inc. Visit geico.com for a quote or to learn more.<br /> <br /><strong>About the Illinois Tollway </strong><br />The Illinois Tollway is a user-fee system that receives no state or federal funds for maintenance and operations. The agency maintains and operates 294 miles of roadways in 12 counties in Northern Illinois, including the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355), the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80) and the Illinois Route 390 Tollway.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="smduxeia" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2023-01-19]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Introduces New Look For HELP Trucks Sponsored by GEICO
Display date: 2023-01-19
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<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="qycqlttn" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Highlights Success of Its Partnering for Growth Program to Other Transportation and Industry Organizations","name":"Diversity_P4G_Logo_Hort_Tag-large.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway Highlights Success of Its Partnering for Growth Program to Other Transportation and Industry Organizations","title":"Diversity_P4G_Logo_Hort_Tag-large.png","type":"document","uuid":"954de9be-08f0-b2bf-e293-34d815ebe62e","fileEntryId":"1316216","resourcePrimKey":"1316201","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/Diversity_P4G_Logo_Hort_Tag-large.png/954de9be-08f0-b2bf-e293-34d815ebe62e?t=1673623451141","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="verzwrlj" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"","name":"Diversity_P4G_Logo_Hort_Tag-large.png","width":"","description":"","title":"Diversity_P4G_Logo_Hort_Tag-large.png","type":"document","uuid":"954de9be-08f0-b2bf-e293-34d815ebe62e","fileEntryId":"1316216","resourcePrimKey":"1316201","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/Diversity_P4G_Logo_Hort_Tag-large.png/954de9be-08f0-b2bf-e293-34d815ebe62e?t=1673623451141","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="vveysgnf" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Highlights Success of Its Partnering for Growth Program to Other Transportation and Industry Organizations]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="ujmtqqtv" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="yontxnta" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Since launching its Partnering for Growth program to help small, diverse and veteran-owned firms gain experience working on Illinois Tollway projects, the agency has seen a surge in those businesses participating in its construction and engineering work.<br /> <br />Tollway officials recently outlined the benefits and successes of the innovative program to other interested public agencies and construction industry groups at the Government Procurement Forum, which is affiliated with the City of Chicago’s Department of Procurement Services.<br /> <br />The Partnering for Growth Program pairs smaller, diverse businesses with larger, more established firms that serve as mentors, offering guidance and advice to assist the newcomers in learning how to follow Tollway-specific procedures and protocols while meeting the agency’s strict scheduling and deadline requirements.<br /> <br />In the years since its 2005 launch, Partnering for Growth agreements have been included in about half of all Tollway professional engineering contracts awarded, while about a third of all Tollway funds spent on engineering services has gone to diverse and veteran firms participating in the program.<br /> <br />The success of the program prompted the Tollway in 2018 to expand the program so construction firms also could participate. Since then, 25 agreements have been executed that allow prime contractors to mentor subcontractors working on Tollway projects.<br /> <br />Tollway leaders believes this type of mentoring program can be used successfully by other public agencies to help increase the pool of diverse, small businesses that are qualified to participate in their construction and engineering projects.<br /> <br />As part of its program, The Tollway has executed more than 200 agreements for professional engineering services between prime contractors and subconsultants, known as protégé firms. That work has resulted in professional services protégé firms earning an estimated $170 million.<br /> <br />Among construction businesses, mentoring and protégé firms together have earned nearly $3 million bid credits that they can use to help themselves better compete for future Tollway contracts.<br /> <br />Among those attending the forum were representatives from transportation agencies, including the CTA, Metra, Pace and the Illinois Department of Transportation, as well as from industry groups that included the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Hispanic American Construction Industry Association.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="lxsuvovi" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2023-01-13]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Highlights Success of Its Partnering for Growth Program to Other Transportation and Industry Organizations
Display date: 2023-01-13
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="qycqlttn" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Highlights Success of Its Partnering for Growth Program to Other Transportation and Industry Organizations","name":"Diversity_P4G_Logo_Hort_Tag-large.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway Highlights Success of Its Partnering for Growth Program to Other Transportation and Industry Organizations","title":"Diversity_P4G_Logo_Hort_Tag-large.png","type":"document","uuid":"954de9be-08f0-b2bf-e293-34d815ebe62e","fileEntryId":"1316216","resourcePrimKey":"1316201","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/Diversity_P4G_Logo_Hort_Tag-large.png/954de9be-08f0-b2bf-e293-34d815ebe62e?t=1673623451141","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="verzwrlj" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"","name":"Diversity_P4G_Logo_Hort_Tag-large.png","width":"","description":"","title":"Diversity_P4G_Logo_Hort_Tag-large.png","type":"document","uuid":"954de9be-08f0-b2bf-e293-34d815ebe62e","fileEntryId":"1316216","resourcePrimKey":"1316201","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/Diversity_P4G_Logo_Hort_Tag-large.png/954de9be-08f0-b2bf-e293-34d815ebe62e?t=1673623451141","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="vveysgnf" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Highlights Success of Its Partnering for Growth Program to Other Transportation and Industry Organizations]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="ujmtqqtv" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="yontxnta" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Since launching its Partnering for Growth program to help small, diverse and veteran-owned firms gain experience working on Illinois Tollway projects, the agency has seen a surge in those businesses participating in its construction and engineering work.<br /> <br />Tollway officials recently outlined the benefits and successes of the innovative program to other interested public agencies and construction industry groups at the Government Procurement Forum, which is affiliated with the City of Chicago’s Department of Procurement Services.<br /> <br />The Partnering for Growth Program pairs smaller, diverse businesses with larger, more established firms that serve as mentors, offering guidance and advice to assist the newcomers in learning how to follow Tollway-specific procedures and protocols while meeting the agency’s strict scheduling and deadline requirements.<br /> <br />In the years since its 2005 launch, Partnering for Growth agreements have been included in about half of all Tollway professional engineering contracts awarded, while about a third of all Tollway funds spent on engineering services has gone to diverse and veteran firms participating in the program.<br /> <br />The success of the program prompted the Tollway in 2018 to expand the program so construction firms also could participate. Since then, 25 agreements have been executed that allow prime contractors to mentor subcontractors working on Tollway projects.<br /> <br />Tollway leaders believes this type of mentoring program can be used successfully by other public agencies to help increase the pool of diverse, small businesses that are qualified to participate in their construction and engineering projects.<br /> <br />As part of its program, The Tollway has executed more than 200 agreements for professional engineering services between prime contractors and subconsultants, known as protégé firms. That work has resulted in professional services protégé firms earning an estimated $170 million.<br /> <br />Among construction businesses, mentoring and protégé firms together have earned nearly $3 million bid credits that they can use to help themselves better compete for future Tollway contracts.<br /> <br />Among those attending the forum were representatives from transportation agencies, including the CTA, Metra, Pace and the Illinois Department of Transportation, as well as from industry groups that included the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Hispanic American Construction Industry Association.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="lxsuvovi" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2023-01-13]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Highlights Success of Its Partnering for Growth Program to Other Transportation and Industry Organizations
Display date: 2023-01-13
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="ppsnzwgj" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"CISCO names I-294 I-57 Interchange its 2022 Project of the Year for Infrastructure ","name":"ramp1_blog.jpg","width":"","description":"CISCO names I-294 I-57 Interchange its 2022 Project of the Year for Infrastructure ","title":"ramp1_blog.jpg","type":"document","uuid":"5a1d3112-1779-f89b-7c3b-2c2441b2f493","fileEntryId":"1315410","resourcePrimKey":"1315430","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/ramp1_blog.jpg/5a1d3112-1779-f89b-7c3b-2c2441b2f493?t=1673377443194","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="zubbbsus" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"CISCO names I-294 I-57 Interchange its 2022 Project of the Year for Infrastructure ","name":"ramp1_blog.jpg","width":"","description":"CISCO names I-294 I-57 Interchange its 2022 Project of the Year for Infrastructure ","title":"ramp1_blog.jpg","type":"document","uuid":"5a1d3112-1779-f89b-7c3b-2c2441b2f493","fileEntryId":"1315410","resourcePrimKey":"1315430","url":"/documents/20184/1308562/ramp1_blog.jpg/5a1d3112-1779-f89b-7c3b-2c2441b2f493?t=1673377443194","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="uzzikgjr" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[CISCO names I-294/I-57 Interchange its 2022 Project of the Year for Infrastructure]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="xyitiuln" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="gvjptqcu" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Construction Industry Service Corporation (CISCO) named the Tri-State Tollway (I-294)/I-57 Interchange Project its Project of the Year award winner in the infrastructure category. <br /> <br />CISCO’s annual Pride in Construction Award Program recognizes top-quality union construction projects, with entries judged on the project’s positive impact on the community, safety record, quality of construction and design. <br /> <br />“The Illinois Tollway takes great pride in the completion of the Tri-State Tollway (I-294)/I-57 Interchange and the tremendously positive impact for local communities now and in the future – particularly Harvey, Markham, Dixmoor and Posen,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. “The I-294/I-57 Interchange is bringing more jobs to the area, attracting new economic development, as well as supporting existing businesses to move the goods and services they produce in the Chicago Southland.”<br /> <br />Given the impact infrastructure improvements have on the regional economy, the Illinois Tollway advanced completion of the I-294/I-57 Interchange Project from 2024 to 2022.<br /> <br />In September 2022, the Tollway opened the final ramps to provide full access at the interchange, two years ahead of schedule. The $719 million project built in partnership with the Illinois Department of Transportation delivers a new gateway for commerce and economic development in the Chicago Southland. </p><table border="0" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="10" style="table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td><strong>RAMP C</strong><br /><br /><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nMSxC-bU5W4?rel=0" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></td><td><strong>RAMP D</strong><br /><br /><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/K2pnrRRlTtA?rel=0" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /> <br />Phase Two of this project began in 2019. Improvements included construction of new ramps providing access to and from Chicago, via four new ramps connecting southbound I-57 to I-294 and I-294 to northbound I-57. Phase One, completed in 2014, provided first-time access to and from Champaign serving 75 percent of the travel demand. <br /> <br />The project created or sustained more than 6,800 total jobs. More than 200 companies, including contractors and consultants, worked on Tollway contracts for the project. On any given day, as many as 135 workers were on the job site each day. <br /> <br />The new all-electronic interstate-to-interstate connection was designed to reduce congestion on local routes, enhance economic development and improve regional mobility by providing commuters and freight operators with completed access between the two interstates.<br /> <br />Throughout construction of the new interchange, an estimated 15 million square feet of new commercial space began popping up in the Chicago Southland, including new warehouses, logistics centers and manufacturing firms in anticipation of the new access. And more development is planned in the coming years. This, in turn, has generated thousands of new jobs in the region. <br /> <br />The CISCO Project of the Year Award for the I-294/I-57 Interchange Projects marks the second consecutive year a Tollway project has received this distinguished award and the fourth time in the past 10 years. The award has gone to the Mile Long Bridge Project on I-294 in 2021, the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) Rebuilding and Widening Project in 2018 and the I-294/I-90 Tri-Level Bridge Project in 2012. <br /> <br />See the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cisco.org/projects-of-the-year/">CISCO Project of the Year Award press release</a>.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="scgyqasf" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2023-01-10]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
CISCO names I-294 I-57 Interchange its 2022 Project of the Year for Infrastructure
Display date: 2023-01-10
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<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="bkqhcvjf" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Prepared for Winter Storm Threatening Region With Heavy Snowfall and Strong Winds","name":"2020 Plow view w logo.jpg","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway Prepared for Winter Storm Threatening Region With Heavy Snowfall and Strong Winds","title":"2020 Plow view w logo.jpg","type":"document","uuid":"e9f71092-5ae2-02e6-5589-914127d2435d","fileEntryId":"1311198","resourcePrimKey":"1311818","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/2020%20Plow%20view%20w%20logo.jpg/e9f71092-5ae2-02e6-5589-914127d2435d?t=1671646102670","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="qltrslfu" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Prepared for Winter Storm Threatening Region With Heavy Snowfall and Strong Winds","name":"2020 Plow view w logo.jpg","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway Prepared for Winter Storm Threatening Region With Heavy Snowfall and Strong Winds","title":"2020 Plow view w logo.jpg","type":"document","uuid":"e9f71092-5ae2-02e6-5589-914127d2435d","fileEntryId":"1311198","resourcePrimKey":"1311818","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/2020%20Plow%20view%20w%20logo.jpg/e9f71092-5ae2-02e6-5589-914127d2435d?t=1671646102670","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="bxuopnst" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Prepared for Winter Storm Threatening Region With Heavy Snowfall and Strong Winds]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="lvtjckbo" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="rjxaxqsp" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway is prepared to deploy its full fleet of 196 snowplows in response to a winter storm moving into the area Thursday and likely continuing through Friday, possibly bringing heavy snowfall and strong winds that could affect roadway conditions and reduce visibility, hampering drivers during their daily commutes and holiday travels. The Tollway’s Snow Operations Center will be open to manage the agency’s systemwide response to the storm.</p><p>“Our top priority during this storm will be keeping our customers safe by operating our plows around the clock to rapidly remove snow and ice from our roads and by quickly responding to any drivers whose vehicles become disabled on our system during this severe weather,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. “Our customers can help us keep them safe by slowing down, allowing extra time to reach their destinations and by giving our snowplows the extra room they need to keep the roads clear.”</p><p>To respond to this weather event, the Illinois Tollway has a full complement of more than 200 staff and supervisors working per shift to ensure that roadways are kept clear of snow and ice. Drivers whose vehicles become disabled should activate their hazard lights and dial *999 from a cellphone for assistance from Illinois State Police District 15. Drivers should note the roadway they are using, as well as the direction of travel and nearest milepost or crossroad. For crashes involving property damage only, drivers should report the incident to 630-241-6800 ext. 5042 and continue <br />driving.</p><p>To receive real-time information on pavement conditions and roadway incidents, drivers should up for Tollway Trip Tweets at twitter.com from the Tollway’s website at illinoistollway.com. Tweeters can follow all five Tollway Trips or just the roadways that interest them. The five are: @94_294_Tollway, @I_90_Tollway, @I_88_Tollway, @I_355_Tollway and @IL_390_Tollway.</p><p>The Illinois Tollway reminds motorists the state’s “Move Over Law” requires motorists to change lanes or to slow down and proceed with caution when passing any vehicle on the side of the road with hazard lights activated.</p><p>Drivers also should use caution when passing snowplows. During heavy snowfall, snowplows often work in tandem to remove as much ice, slush and snow as possible from all lanes at once. When it is <br />safe to pass, the plows spread out and allow traffic to flow around them.</p><p><strong>Winter Weather Travel Tips</strong></p><ul><li>The Tollway offers the following travel tips to keep safe during dangerously cold weather:</li><li>Be sure your cell phone is fully charged before heading out.</li><li>Be sure tires are properly inflated during cold weather. Tires lose a pound of pressure for every 10 degrees the temperature drops.</li><li>Keep your gas tank at least half full to avoid gas line freeze-up and ensure that you have extra to account for additional driving time if the weather is unfavorable.</li><li>Keep a cold weather safety kit in your car that includes gloves, boots, blankets, road flares, water and a flashlight with fresh batteries.</li><li>Stranded motorists should turn on their emergency lights and remain in their vehicles until help arrives.</li><li>Cell phone users should call *999 motorist assistance for roadway assistance and note the roadway and direction of travel and nearest milepost or crossroad.</li></ul><p><strong>About the Illinois Tollway</strong><br />The Illinois Tollway is a user-fee system that receives no state or federal funds for maintenance and operations. The agency maintains and operates 294 miles of roadways in 12 counties in Northern <br />Illinois, including the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355), the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80) and the Illinois Route 390 Tollway.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="senswdir" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2022-12-21]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Prepared for Winter Storm Threatening Region With Heavy Snowfall and Strong Winds
Display date: 2022-12-21
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="orqjorkd" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":1311087,"groupId":"20184","name":"Snow-999-MO-blog_1222.png","alt":"Illinois Tollway is Prepared for Holiday Travel","title":"Snow-999-MO-blog_1222.png","type":"document","uuid":"6ab95b42-8a12-dd98-3b71-4e38702bc590","fileEntryId":"1311087","resourcePrimKey":"1311107"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="kefsjvfm" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":1311087,"groupId":"20184","name":"Snow-999-MO-blog_1222.png","alt":"Illinois Tollway is Prepared for Holiday Travel","title":"Snow-999-MO-blog_1222.png","type":"document","uuid":"6ab95b42-8a12-dd98-3b71-4e38702bc590","fileEntryId":"1311087","resourcePrimKey":"1311107"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="nulmfdza" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway is Prepared for Holiday Travel]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="pbwsazhj" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="iuvrynel" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway is prepared for this holiday season and working to help customers take some of the stress out of holiday travel during Hanukkah and the upcoming Christmas and New Year’s holidays through I-PASS benefits and roadway customer service efforts.</p><p>The heaviest traffic is expected on Wednesday, December 21, and Thursday, December 22, when nearly 1.7 million vehicles each day are projected to travel on the 294-mile Tollway system. </p><p>Nearly 1.3 million vehicles are expected to travel on the Tollway system on Saturday, December 24, and 1.1 million on Christmas Day. Approximately 1.2 million vehicles are expected on the Tollway system on Saturday, December 31, and more than 1 million on New Year’s Day. On an average day, 1.5 million vehicles use the Illinois Tollway. </p><p>“The Illinois Tollway wishes all of our customers happy holidays and safe travel as they celebrate with family and friends,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. “We understand how stressful the holidays can be, especially when combined with travel, so we’re hoping the savings and customer services we offer can make these trips a little easier.” </p><p><strong>I-PASS Assist – start the new year with savings</strong><br />The Illinois Tollway’s <a target="_blank" href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/assist">I-PASS Assist program</a> offers income-eligible individuals and families the cost-saving benefits of I-PASS with fewer up-front costs for pre-paid tolls and no deposits required. Through a partnership with the Illinois Department of Revenue, the Illinois Tollway is able to verify the eligibility of households via a secure web form that requires minimal information to determine if household income falls below the required threshold based on Federal Poverty Guidelines.</p><p><strong>E-ZPass – take your I-PASS when you travel</strong><br />Before you hit the road don’t forget to bring your I-PASS, it’s accepted in 19 states and within more than 35 tolling agencies using E-ZPass, and includes a 50 percent discount on tolls on the Illinois Tollway’s five roadways. As a member of the<a target="_blank" href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/about-ipass"> E-ZPass IAG consortium</a>, you have the luxury of traveling worry free whether in your car or rental car. </p><p><strong>*999 – call us for roadway assistance</strong><br />Drivers should call <a target="_blank" href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/travel-information">*999 to get help</a> from Tollway roadway maintenance crews or from <a target="_blank" href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/about/state-police">Illinois State Police District 15</a> who patrol the Tollway system 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Motorist aid patrols stand ready to help stranded customers change tires, jump-start batteries, add coolant, dispense fuel, transport customers, move vehicles away from traffic and call for a tow truck. </p><p><strong>Construction – lane closures suspended for holidays</strong><br />Ongoing construction activity will be restricted to better serve Tollway customers during holiday travel with any temporary maintenance and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/media-center/construction-alerts">construction lane closures</a> suspended from noon on Friday, December 23, through 9 a.m. on Tuesday, December 27, and again from noon on Friday, December 30, through 9 a.m. on Tuesday, January 3. Some construction work zones may remain in place, so drivers are reminded to slow down and obey work zone speed limits. </p><p><strong>About the Illinois Tollway</strong><br />The Illinois Tollway is a user-fee system that receives no state or federal funds for maintenance and operations. The agency maintains and operates 294 miles of roadways in 12 counties in Northern Illinois, including the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355), the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80) and the Illinois Route 390 Tollway.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="chtngmtd" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2022-12-19]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway is Prepared for Holiday Travel
Display date: 2022-12-19
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="hycgxiiu" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":1310540,"groupId":"20184","name":"202212 Toys for Tots Toys.png","alt":"Illinois Tollway Staff Packs Santas Sled Through Toys for Tots","title":"202212 Toys for Tots Toys.png","type":"document","uuid":"a712bd2d-66ac-3b5a-bc25-30947bc6e38a","fileEntryId":"1310540","resourcePrimKey":"1310560"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="nlkscanl" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":1310540,"groupId":"20184","name":"202212 Toys for Tots Toys.png","alt":"Illinois Tollway Staff Packs Santas Sled Through Toys for Tots","title":"202212 Toys for Tots Toys.png","type":"document","uuid":"a712bd2d-66ac-3b5a-bc25-30947bc6e38a","fileEntryId":"1310540","resourcePrimKey":"1310560"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="xfwealja" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Staff Packs Santa’s Sled Through Toys for Tots]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="yjxcqvig" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="wlksndtd" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Continuing the Tollway’s annual tradition of supporting Toys for Tots, Illinois Tollway employees jumped in this holiday season to help Santa by bringing piles of toys, stuffed animals, games and sports equipment to Tollway headquarters for the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve program.</p><p>Thanks to their efforts, more than 650 toys were collected in December to help ensure all children have a Merry Christmas in the Chicagoland area.</p><p>Tollway workers located across our 294-mile system, including those stationed at 12 maintenance sites, shopped individually for the perfect toys to help bring holiday cheer on Christmas morning to youngsters across the region. All the toys and games were collected and prepared for delivery to the Marine Reserve’s collection site in Aurora for distribution to children who might otherwise have lacked holiday presents.</p><p>The Tollway has long participated in the Toys for Tots program to help support youngsters in local communities by bringing a touch of holiday cheer that will last into the new year.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="nxgjrpkp" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2022-12-16]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Staff Packs Santas Sled Through Toys for Tots
Display date: 2022-12-16
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="zxxgsxtd" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"New Tri-State Tollway Pedestrian Bridge Opens for Hinsdale and Western Springs","name":"2022 12 Ped bridge.png","width":"","description":"New Tri-State Tollway Pedestrian Bridge Opens for Hinsdale and Western Springs","title":"2022 12 Ped bridge.png","type":"document","uuid":"d0c425b6-1172-69f4-bb8e-b1379846f1fb","fileEntryId":"1309005","resourcePrimKey":"1309025","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/2022%2012%20Ped%20bridge.png/d0c425b6-1172-69f4-bb8e-b1379846f1fb?t=1670951125839","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="uvvdtkdr" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"New Tri-State Tollway Pedestrian Bridge Opens for Hinsdale and Western Springs","name":"2022 12 Ped bridge.png","width":"","description":"New Tri-State Tollway Pedestrian Bridge Opens for Hinsdale and Western Springs","title":"2022 12 Ped bridge.png","type":"document","uuid":"d0c425b6-1172-69f4-bb8e-b1379846f1fb","fileEntryId":"1309005","resourcePrimKey":"1309025","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/2022%2012%20Ped%20bridge.png/d0c425b6-1172-69f4-bb8e-b1379846f1fb?t=1670951125839","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="jzzjgmfe" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[New Tri-State Tollway Pedestrian Bridge Opens for Hinsdale and Western Springs]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="nodadnwv" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="myjxzssd" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Officials from the Illinois Tollway, Western Springs and Hinsdale announced that walkers, runners and bikers will have access to the new Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Pedestrian Bridge adjacent to 47th Street on Wednesday, December 14. </p><p>The Illinois Tollway is turning over the new pedestrian bridge crossing to local officials ahead of schedule, offering a new convenient connection between Veeck Park and Spring Rock Park and community pathways for pedestrians and bicyclists. </p><p>“We are pleased that the Illinois Tollway is working to keep communities connected while improving access to local parks and resources,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. “This is a great example of the efforts the Tollway is making to keep people at the forefront of planning and construction as we rebuild the Central Tri-State Tollway.”</p><p>The pedestrian bridge crossing was relocated from its location near Ogden Avenue to the new location adjacent to 47th Street selected by the villages following public input from residents and both village boards in 2019 to accommodate the $4 billion Central Tri-State Tollway Project. </p><p>“The village board consistently looks for ways to make Western Springs more walkable and bike friendly,” said Western Springs Village President Alice Gallagher. “This bridge is the result of collaborative planning between the village, the Western Springs Park District, the Tollway and Hinsdale. It is an excellent example of how transportation infrastructure improvements can provide more multi-modal travel options and better connect neighboring communities.”</p><p>“We are very appreciative of the Tollway’s willingness to acknowledge the value of a pedestrian bridge to both Hinsdale and Western Springs residents,” added Hinsdale Village President Tom Cauley. “The attractive new bridge, which connects parks in the two communities, will no doubt be a favorite of bike riders, walker and joggers.”</p><p>The Tollway started construction on the I-294 Pedestrian Bridge Project in September 2021, with the new prefabricated steel pedestrian bridge structure originally scheduled to be moved into place in spring 2023. </p><p>Information about the I-294 Pedestrian Bridge Project is available in the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/projects">Projects section</a> on the Tollway’s website.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="pifakjab" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2022-12-13]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
New Tri-State Tollway Pedestrian Bridge Opens for Hinsdale and Western Springs
Display date: 2022-12-13
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="ndhgogae" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Recognizes Contractors for Outstanding Work in 2022","name":"2022-IRTBA-blog_1222.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway Recognizes Contractors for Outstanding Work in 2022","title":"2022-IRTBA-blog_1222.png","type":"document","uuid":"b104e2b8-d4da-092d-df35-d83adfbee2b3","fileEntryId":"1308788","resourcePrimKey":"1308807","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/2022-IRTBA-blog_1222.png/b104e2b8-d4da-092d-df35-d83adfbee2b3?t=1670880527892","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="twxcnflf" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Recognizes Contractors for Outstanding Work in 2022","name":"2022-IRTBA-blog_1222.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway Recognizes Contractors for Outstanding Work in 2022","title":"2022-IRTBA-blog_1222.png","type":"document","uuid":"b104e2b8-d4da-092d-df35-d83adfbee2b3","fileEntryId":"1308788","resourcePrimKey":"1308807","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/2022-IRTBA-blog_1222.png/b104e2b8-d4da-092d-df35-d83adfbee2b3?t=1670880527892","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="enpmfhfp" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Recognizes Contractors for Outstanding Work in 2022]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="hrfuwpsm" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="hznemlnm" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Approximately 1,500 industry and agency professionals gathered at the Illinois Road and Transportation Builders Association 85th Annual Meeting and Holiday Party in Rosemont on December 8 to celebrate successful projects completed in 2022.</p><p>“Many of the firms here today played an integral role in delivering key projects in our Move Illinois Program,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. “The firms we’re recognizing distinguished themselves by bringing high-quality work, innovation and extensive coordination to get the job done on time and within budget.” </p><p>Rouse was joined by Acting Chief Engineering Officer Manar Nashif in recognizing five contractors for their outstanding work on Tollway projects. Leadership from the Illinois Department of Transportation, Chicago Department of Transportation, Chicago Department of Aviation, Chicago Transit Authority, Metra and various county transportation agencies presented awards for their projects, as well. </p><p>The Tollway recognized Areatha Construction as its “New Prime Contractor of the Year” for its valuable contribution to noisewall construction on the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) and Ogden Avenue Interchange ramps. This work needed to be completed prior to mainline reconstruction to provide noise abatement to the neighboring community. </p><p>Two disadvantaged business enterprise firms received awards for their work. </p><p>Natural Creations Landscaping is being recognized as “DBE Contractor of the Year” for its commitment to the Illinois Tollway’s success, specifically providing landscaping services to the Tollway along the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) and the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355). A certified disadvantaged and minority-owned business enterprise firm, Natural Creations has served in the past several years as a prime on 12 landscaping contracts, a critical component to Tollway projects. </p><p>And MA Rebar, a certified woman-owned business enterprise firm, was named “DBE Subcontractor of the Year” in recognition of the firm providing more than 10 million pounds of rebar to support the more than 33,000 cubic yards of concrete used to construct the southbound Mile Long Bridge. Its attention to detail and commitment to successful project delivery was much appreciated on this significant Tollway project.</p><p>Dunnet Bay Construction is being recognized as the Tollway “Bridge Contractor of the Year” for its commitment to delivering Phase Two of the Tri-State Tollway (I-294)/I-57 Interchange Project two years ahead of schedule. Working in coordination with IDOT and local communities, Dunnet Bay was instrumental in delivering two new ramp bridges carrying southbound I-57 traffic to I-294, including a flyover ramp bridge connecting southbound I-57 to southbound I-294 and 147th Street to southbound I-57. </p><p>The Tollway “Contractor of the Year Award” went to Walsh Construction in recognition of the firm’s successful delivery on several high-profile Tollway projects this year, including the Mile Long Bridge Project and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway (BNSF) Bridge Project, as well as its work on the ongoing Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Project. Walsh used innovative construction methods to keep these two bridge projects on schedule and within budget, while demonstrating leadership and a commitment to diversity. </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="jmzevqdz" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2022-12-12]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Recognizes Contractors for Outstanding Work in 2022
Display date: 2022-12-12
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="pjljllxx" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Chair Dorothy Abreu Joins with Other Industry Leaders at Hispanic Chamber Meeting to Discuss the Future of Transportation Infrastructure","name":"20221208 IHCC.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway Chair Dorothy Abreu Joins with Other Industry Leaders at Hispanic Chamber Meeting to Discuss the Future of Transportation Infrastructure","title":"20221208 IHCC.png","type":"document","uuid":"40782fac-69c6-8994-35d1-a986c8d82945","fileEntryId":"1307346","resourcePrimKey":"1307366","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/20221208%20IHCC.png/40782fac-69c6-8994-35d1-a986c8d82945?t=1670517919003","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="pqntcrns" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Chair Dorothy Abreu Joins with Other Industry Leaders at Hispanic Chamber Meeting to Discuss the Future of Transportation Infrastructure","name":"20221208 IHCC.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway Chair Dorothy Abreu Joins with Other Industry Leaders at Hispanic Chamber Meeting to Discuss the Future of Transportation Infrastructure","title":"20221208 IHCC.png","type":"document","uuid":"40782fac-69c6-8994-35d1-a986c8d82945","fileEntryId":"1307346","resourcePrimKey":"1307366","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/20221208%20IHCC.png/40782fac-69c6-8994-35d1-a986c8d82945?t=1670517919003","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="npaxfcfc" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Chair Dorothy Abreu Joins with Other Industry Leaders at Hispanic Chamber Meeting to Discuss the Future of Transportation Infrastructure]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="cdnubxpr" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="dthwcxlo" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Greater emphasis on advancing equity is increasingly playing a role in the future of transportation infrastructure in Northern Illinois. <br /> <br />“The Illinois Tollway is delivering our Move Illinois capital program with diversity, equity and inclusion in mind while working to ensure that the work and improvements made have minimal impact on the environment,” Tollway Board Chair Dorothy Abreu told nearly 200 members of the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce at a breakfast meeting in Chicago. <br /> <br />The December 7 breakfast meeting, “Infrastructure and Our Future,” featured Abreu, along with Metra Deputy Executive Director of External Affairs Janice Thomas and World Business Chicago President and CEO Michael Fassnacht, who also serves as chief marketing officer for the city of Chicago. <br /> <br />The meeting provided an opportunity for Hispanic Chamber members to meet with industry leaders and learn about opportunities for Hispanic-owned firms to grow their businesses. The Hispanic Chamber represents more than 100,000 businesses, including more than 2,000 disadvantaged business enterprise firms, making it one of the largest communities of Hispanic business owners in the Midwest. <br /> <br />The Illinois Tollway highlighted its efforts to support and grow participation by small, diverse and veteran-owned firms through a wide range of assistance programs. <br /> <br />For example, Illinois Tollway Technical Assistance Program has helped prepare hundreds of emerging and established transportation-related construction and professional engineering services firms, including small, diverse and veteran-owned firms, to compete for contracting opportunities in the heavy highway construction industry. The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is one of the program providers.<br /> <br />Abreu noted the program has generated more new and diverse firms to participate in the Move Illinois program supporting capital improvements to take care of the Tollway’s existing needs and expand the system to meet the needs of the region’s future. <br /> <br />Looking ahead to 2023, the Tollway plans to continue work on two of its biggest, most complex projects – the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Project and the I-490 Tollway Project. These major projects provide significant contract opportunities for firms of all sizes and types, including small, diverse and veteran-owned firms. <br /> <br />The $4 billion Central Tri-State is being reconstructed and widened from Balmoral Avenue to 95th Street to provide congestion relief, reconstruct old infrastructure to meet current and future transportation demand and address regional needs. <br /> <br />The I-490 Tollway, together with the Illinois Route 390 Tollway, will connect businesses and communities with one of the nation’s busiest airports, transit facilities, major freight transportation hubs, distribution centers and multiple interstate highways including the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) and I-294. </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="hopzqlcb" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2022-12-08]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Chair Dorothy Abreu Joins with Other Industry Leaders at Hispanic Chamber Meeting to Discuss the Future of Transportation Infrastructure
Display date: 2022-12-08
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="kfiesvem" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Brings Together Financial Planning Experts to Help Small and Diverse Firms Grow and Succeed","name":"202211 FinancialSuccess7272-blog_1122.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway Brings Together Financial Planning Experts to Help Small and Diverse Firms Grow and Succeed","title":"202211 FinancialSuccess7272-blog_1122.png","type":"document","uuid":"42042dcc-9bca-7451-d39e-f43553891617","fileEntryId":"1304176","resourcePrimKey":"1304197","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/202211%20FinancialSuccess7272-blog_1122.png/42042dcc-9bca-7451-d39e-f43553891617?t=1669225185601","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="rnnypeza" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Brings Together Financial Planning Experts to Help Small and Diverse Firms Grow and Succeed","name":"202211 FinancialSuccess7272-blog_1122.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway Brings Together Financial Planning Experts to Help Small and Diverse Firms Grow and Succeed","title":"202211 FinancialSuccess7272-blog_1122.png","type":"document","uuid":"42042dcc-9bca-7451-d39e-f43553891617","fileEntryId":"1304176","resourcePrimKey":"1304197","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/202211%20FinancialSuccess7272-blog_1122.png/42042dcc-9bca-7451-d39e-f43553891617?t=1669225185601","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="nnvgyxjy" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Brings Together Financial Planning Experts to Help Small and Diverse Firms Grow and Succeed]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="tjiuagim" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="slzzftxs" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>There is often no shortage of free financial advice available to entrepreneurs from relatives and friends. But you often get what you pay for. </p><p>“Don’t take any wooden nickels.”</p><p>“The best way to make a small fortune is to start with a large one.” </p><p>“One word… plastics.” </p><p>The Illinois Tollway, recognizing the challenges that small and diverse construction and professional engineering services firms face in getting solid financial advice, recently hosted its first “Building the Road to Success: Financial Planning for Small Businesses” event. </p><p>The November 18 event, held at Malcolm X College in Chicago, featured numerous financial experts sharing advice and resources on financial management and capital development necessary for small and minority-owned companies to succeed in the heavy highway construction industry. </p><p>“Financial planning is critical for any successful business, but the process can be complicated,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. “Small business owners frequently need to wear many hats, often work long hours and deal with so many stressful decisions, and financial guidance from experts can help confirm that they are on the right track.”</p><p>The Building the Road to Success event provided more than 80 business owners and executives with direct access to commercial banking industry experts who specialize in business development. In addition, Tollway and area transportation officials gave an overview of upcoming construction opportunities across the region’s transportation network. </p><p>The event included a presentation by Erin Aleman, executive director of the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, on “The Changing Economy and Construction Opportunities Ahead,” as well as workshops by representatives of the Coalition of African American Leaders, U.S. Bank, BMO Harris Bank and Wells Fargo on raising capital, planning for sustainable growth, meeting with financial institutions and how to endure financial challenges. </p><p>The Illinois Tollway is focused on promoting, assisting and ensuring diverse participation in all aspects of Tollway operations, including construction contracting and consulting, with programs and resources supported by the Illinois Tollway providing technical assistance, training, mentoring and business development opportunities for firms.</p><p>The Building the Road to Success event provided another opportunity to help guide small business owners toward sustainable growth and provide them with access to financial experts and resources.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="rxsgpepj" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2022-11-23]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Brings Together Financial Planning Experts to Help Small and Diverse Firms Grow and Succeed
Display date: 2022-11-23
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="xovoyvse" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Expects 8.7 Million Vehicles Throughout Thanksgiving Holiday and Weekend","name":"201122 Thanksgiving Blog.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway Expects 8.7 Million Vehicles Throughout Thanksgiving Holiday and Weekend","title":"201122 Thanksgiving Blog.png","type":"document","uuid":"f9a5876a-1d3f-c89c-96e1-4d771e4ef3d8","fileEntryId":"1303821","resourcePrimKey":"1303842","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/201122%20Thanksgiving%20Blog.png/f9a5876a-1d3f-c89c-96e1-4d771e4ef3d8?t=1669139392847","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="gostuzaf" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Expects 8.7 Million Vehicles Throughout Thanksgiving Holiday and Weekend","name":"201122 Thanksgiving Blog.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway Expects 8.7 Million Vehicles Throughout Thanksgiving Holiday and Weekend","title":"201122 Thanksgiving Blog.png","type":"document","uuid":"f9a5876a-1d3f-c89c-96e1-4d771e4ef3d8","fileEntryId":"1303821","resourcePrimKey":"1303842","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/201122%20Thanksgiving%20Blog.png/f9a5876a-1d3f-c89c-96e1-4d771e4ef3d8?t=1669139392847","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="qivrigii" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Expects 8.7 Million Vehicles Throughout Thanksgiving Holiday and Weekend]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="oygcynao" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="umqtqarf" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Tollway reminds drivers to Move Over for any vehicle with flashing lights on the roadside!<br /> <br />The Illinois Tollway expects as many as 8.7 million vehicles with Thanksgiving travelers to drive the Tollway system during this year’s extended holiday and reminds drivers to follow the Move Over Law when traveling. <br /> <br />Over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, Wednesday, November 23, through Monday, November 28, the heaviest travel is expected on Wednesday when nearly 1.8 million vehicles are projected to use the 294-mile Tollway system. On an average day, 1.5 million vehicles use the Illinois Tollway. <br /> <br />“As many of us head to see family and friends over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, we’d remind travelers that slowing down and moving over for stopped vehicles, when possible, will help everyone get to their destination,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. “As always, we’re dedicated to the safety of everyone on our roadways, and by giving a little distance our team will be able to ensure everyone gets home safely.” <br /> <br />Illinois’ Move Over Law requires drivers to slow and, if possible, safely change lanes when approaching any vehicle stopped on or along a road with its hazard lights flashing. By slowing down and moving over when approaching any stopped vehicle that has its hazard lights flashing, drivers will avoid any legal penalties while also helping protect workers, emergency responders, other motorists and themselves.<br /> <br />Drivers who fail to comply with the Move Over Law face serious legal penalties, including fines of up to $10,000, a two-year suspension of driving privileges and in some cases, a jail sentence.<br /> <br /><strong>Call *999 for roadside assistance </strong><br />Drivers can call *999 to get help from Tollway roadway maintenance crews or from Illinois State Police District 15 who patrol the Tollway system 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Motorist aid patrols stand ready to help stranded customers change tires, jump-start batteries, add coolant, dispense fuel, transport customers, move vehicles away from traffic and call for a tow truck. <br /> <br /><strong>Prepare for construction work zones</strong> <br />The Illinois Tollway will suspend most temporary maintenance and construction lane closures from noon on Wednesday, November 23, through 9 a.m. on Monday, November 28. However, construction may continue in existing work zones to keep work on schedule for ongoing Illinois Tollway construction projects. <br /> <br /><strong>Tollway drivers can expect to see ongoing work: </strong></p><ul><li>On I-294 between the O’Hare Oasis and 95th Street, traffic is shifted. Counterflow lanes are in place throughout the Central Tri-State corridor. Watch for signage indicating changing traffic patterns.</li><li>On I-294, the ramp from eastbound Archer Avenue to southbound I-294 is closed and a detour is posted.</li><li>On I-294, the ramps from northbound I-294 to Wolf Rd and southbound I-55 are closed and detours are posted.</li></ul><p> <br /><strong>Get real-time road condition updates</strong><br />Whether the trip is short or long, sign up for Tollway Trip Tweets with real-time roadway incident information and weather conditions at Tollway Trip 90, Tollway Trip 88, Tollway Trip 355, Tollway Trip 94/294 and Tollway Trip 390.<br /> <br /><strong>About the Illinois Tollway</strong><br />The Illinois Tollway is a user-fee system that receives no state or federal funds for maintenance and operations. The agency maintains and operates 294 miles of roadways in 12 counties in Northern Illinois, including the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355), the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80) and the Illinois Route 390 Tollway.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="cpbehgtm" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2022-11-22]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Expects 8 Million Vehicles Throughout Thanksgiving Holiday and Weekend
Display date: 2022-11-22
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="tncoikmv" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Hosts First In-Person Move Illinois Quarterly Meeting Since 2019","name":"MIQ-2383_1122.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway Hosts First In-Person Move Illinois Quarterly Meeting Since 2019","title":"MIQ-2383_1122.png","type":"document","uuid":"bc5d7087-fb5f-4458-b863-9028933875aa","fileEntryId":"1303125","resourcePrimKey":"1303145","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/MIQ-2383_1122.png/bc5d7087-fb5f-4458-b863-9028933875aa?t=1669050294569","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="cheqrhyd" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Hosts First In-Person Move Illinois Quarterly Meeting Since 2019","name":"MIQ-2383_1122.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway Hosts First In-Person Move Illinois Quarterly Meeting Since 2019","title":"MIQ-2383_1122.png","type":"document","uuid":"bc5d7087-fb5f-4458-b863-9028933875aa","fileEntryId":"1303125","resourcePrimKey":"1303145","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/MIQ-2383_1122.png/bc5d7087-fb5f-4458-b863-9028933875aa?t=1669050294569","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="ocpizwky" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Hosts First In-Person Move Illinois Quarterly Meeting Since 2019]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="ahbshxon" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="jviqacxy" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>A lot has changed since the last time the Illinois Tollway hosted an in-person Move Illinois Quarterly meeting in September 2019. </p><p>Major projects have been completed, including the Mile Long Bridge and Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway Bridge projects on the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294), as well as the Tri-State Tollway (I-294)/I-57 Interchange Project. </p><p>Two new maintenance facilities were built. Tolling reforms were instituted. Pay by Plate rolled out. I-PASS Assist expanded. The Illinois Tollway app was introduced. The goal of planting the equivalent of 58,000 trees was surpassed. Many other milestones were achieved despite the challenges presented by a global pandemic. </p><p>Now wrapping up its 11th year of its 15-year, $14 billion Move Illinois capital program, the Illinois Tollway continues to deliver significant transportation infrastructure improvements for the more than 1.5 million daily drivers on the Tollway system. </p><p>Cassaundra Rouse, speaking at her first Move Illinois Quarterly meeting as executive director of the Illinois Tollway, provided an update on the capital program status and progress for the live audience of more than 250 construction and engineering professionals working on Tollway projects. </p><p>“Thank you to the legions of Tollway staff, consultants, engineers and contractors for helping to deliver these important projects to our customers and the communities we serve,” said Rouse. “Through this program we are not only taking care of existing needs, but also expanding the system to meet the needs of the region’s future.”</p><p>Tollway leadership shared highlights from 2022 and a look ahead of work coming down the pike, including ongoing work on the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) and I-490 Tollway projects, as well as upcoming contract opportunities for construction and professional engineering services firms. </p><p>Leadership also detailed new technology initiatives, such as the growing use of e-Ticketing for materials delivery and investments in technologies to enhance safety on the Tollway system. Another focus was on new policies, such as the development of a delivery program for the design-build model of project delivery. In addition, leadership outlined improvements to procurement processes to bring greater efficiencies in qualifications-based selections and the continued success of the Tollway’s various diversity programs to help small, diverse and veteran-owned firms grow and succeed. </p><p>The Tollway’s Move Illinois Quarterly presentation and additional resources can be found <a target="_blank" href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/doing-business/construction-engineering/move-illinois-quarterly">here</a>. </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="fgmzjhqj" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2022-11-21]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Hosts First In Person Move Illinois Quarterly Meeting Since 2019
Display date: 2022-11-21
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="zmgsspnu" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"90-490 Progress-blog_1122.png","name":"90-490 Progress-blog_1122.png","width":"","description":"90-490 Progress-blog_1122.png","title":"90-490 Progress-blog_1122.png","type":"journal","uuid":"5f941e00-97aa-9931-4efc-7867fdad2b3c","fileEntryId":"1302588","resourcePrimKey":"1302586","url":"/documents/924058/1302587/90-490%20Progress-blog_1122.png/5f941e00-97aa-9931-4efc-7867fdad2b3c?t=1668802867564","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="hnbsypzr" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"","name":"90-490 Progress-blog_1122 (1).png","width":"","description":"","title":"90-490 Progress-blog_1122 (1).png","type":"journal","uuid":"26b96a8d-e0ac-d7ed-4a2e-cf0f92c3021d","fileEntryId":"1302597","resourcePrimKey":"1302586","url":"/documents/924058/1302587/90-490%20Progress-blog_1122%20%281%29.png/26b96a8d-e0ac-d7ed-4a2e-cf0f92c3021d?t=1668802867624","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="lpgbrrkz" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Highlights Infrastructure Investments as Part of HACIA Transportation Panel]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="qgcmydod" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="wmheyxkg" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway, entering the 12th year of its 15-year, $14 billion <em>Move Illinois</em> capital program, continues to make strategic investments in its transportation infrastructure. Foremost among these investments in 2023 is continuing work to rebuild and widen the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) from 95th Street to Balmoral Avenue and to build the new I-490 Tollway along the west side of O’Hare International Airport. </p><p>At the same time, the Tollway continues working to ensure that underserved communities benefit from those infrastructure investments while seeking ways to promote environmental responsibility and sustainability.</p><p>These key issues were addressed at the recent Hispanic American Construction Industry Association (HACIA) Panel Discussion and Networking Event in Chicago. The annual event hosted by HACIA's Professional Services Committee provides an opportunity for transportation industry leaders to discuss upcoming projects and contract opportunities for small and minority firms to participate on those projects. </p><p>Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse was joined on the panel by Acting Chief Engineering Officer Manar Nashif and Chief of Diversity and Strategic Development Terry Miller, as well as leaders from the Illinois Department of Transportation, Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways, Chicago Department of Transportation and the City of Chicago Capital Committee. </p><p>This year, much of the focus was on making sure that underserved communities realize many of the benefits that come from investments in transportation infrastructure, including health, environmental and economic impacts.</p><p>Tollway leadership provided numerous examples of how it is continuously working to achieve those goals, such as building the new Tri-State Tollway (I-294)/I-57 Interchange in the Chicago Southland. The new interchange has fueled millions of square feet of new commercial development in suburbs including Markham, Harvey, Posen and Midlothian, creating thousands of jobs for area residents. </p><p>The Tollway’s recent environmental efforts include surpassing its commitment to plant the equivalent of 58,000 trees as part of a comprehensive landscaping master plan and continuing to work in partnership with Pace Suburban Bus to further integrate transit on the Tollway system. </p><p>The Tollway continues to strengthen its diversity programs to ensure inclusion and equal opportunity for all. The agency is always looking for ways to increase opportunities for small, diverse and veteran-owned firms interested to compete for Tollway contracts, as well as open doors for traditionally underrepresented workers to pursue meaningful careers in the heavy highway construction industry. </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="joihsqkt" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2022-11-18]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Highlights Infrastructure Investments as Part of HACIA Transportation Panel
Display date: 2022-11-18
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="okssmenf" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Annual safety campaign urges drivers to prepare now for Old Man Winter","name":"20221116 Snow and Ice Event Truck Only.png","width":"","description":"Annual safety campaign urges drivers to prepare now for Old Man Winter","title":"20221116 Snow and Ice Event Truck Only.png","type":"document","uuid":"39e43c4a-fd04-a0fc-f51f-8864f78beae1","fileEntryId":"1302019","resourcePrimKey":"1302041","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/20221116%20Snow%20and%20Ice%20Event%20Truck%20Only.png/39e43c4a-fd04-a0fc-f51f-8864f78beae1?t=1668636179595","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="qnqfrakt" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Annual safety campaign urges drivers to prepare now for Old Man Winter","name":"20221116 Snow and Ice Event Truck Only.png","width":"","description":"Annual safety campaign urges drivers to prepare now for Old Man Winter","title":"20221116 Snow and Ice Event Truck Only.png","type":"document","uuid":"39e43c4a-fd04-a0fc-f51f-8864f78beae1","fileEntryId":"1302019","resourcePrimKey":"1302041","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/20221116%20Snow%20and%20Ice%20Event%20Truck%20Only.png/39e43c4a-fd04-a0fc-f51f-8864f78beae1?t=1668636179595","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="fkkcdpwv" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Annual safety campaign urges drivers to prepare now for Old Man Winter]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="pibbtqpk" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="ynizocly" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>With snow and ice touching much of the state this week, the Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois State Police and Illinois Tollway are reminding the public that it’s time for “Winter Weather – Get it Together.” Because of the nationwide shortage of commercial vehicle drivers impacting staffing levels on winter operations teams throughout Illinois and the Midwest, planning and preparation, as well as patience and understanding, will be needed more than ever from motorists this winter.</p><p>“Keeping roads clear and safe takes a great deal of work before, during and after major winter weather events. It’s something we prepare for the entire year,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman. “The dedicated men and women at IDOT who battle the wintry elements to keep Illinois moving are ready at all times. However, we can’t do it alone. It is imperative that you do your part as well. Be prepared to reduce speeds, stay patient and increase driving distance between vehicles at all times. And please share the roads – don’t crowd the plow.”</p><p>In the coming months, motorists should practice basic winter driving skills and build extra time into their schedules, even when roads appear to be clear. As part of the “Winter Weather – Get it Together” campaign, travelers are encouraged to follow these simple guidelines: <br /> </p><ul><li>Bookmark <a target="_blank" href="http://gettingaroundillinois.com/">GettingAroundIllinois.com</a> to check travel conditions 24/7 before heading out.</li><li>Do not travel during bad weather unless absolutely necessary. If you do have to drive, check the forecast and make sure someone is aware of your route. Familiarize yourself with public transportation and ridesharing options.</li><li>Give yourself plenty of extra time. Slow down and increase the distance between other vehicles. </li><li>Watch out for black ice. A road may appear clear but can be treacherous.</li><li>Be especially careful when approaching intersections, ramps, bridges and shaded areas that are prone to icing and can become extremely slick. </li><li>Don’t crowd the plow. You might see them, but they might not see you. Also, road conditions are much better behind than in front of the plow. Any plow that’s hit is one less resource available to clear the roads. </li><li>Prepare an emergency kit that contains jumper cables, flares or reflectors, windshield washer fluid, a small ice scraper, traction material, blankets, non-perishable food and a first-aid kit.</li><li>Always wear a seat belt. It’s the law in Illinois. And it’s your best defense in a crash. </li><li>Drop it and drive. Put down the mobile devices – it, too, is the law. </li><li>Give them distance. Obey the Move Over Law by slowing down and changing lanes when approaching ANY stopped vehicle with flashing lights. </li><li>Carry a cell phone and a car charger in case of emergency. </li></ul><p>“Winter weather can change driving conditions quickly, especially when temperatures fall rapidly, turning even a dusting of snow into a sheet of ice,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. “When you see snow, drive slow. Make sure to give yourself extra time to get where you’re going, slow down, and keep more distance between you and other drivers.”</p><p>The public is advised that snow-and-ice response times could be impacted due to an industry-wide shortage of workers with a commercial driver’s license, resulting in challenges in filling plow driver positions. While hiring at IDOT continues for both temporary and permanent positions, staffing levels for the winter response team are down approximately 10% to 15% from the same time a year ago. For information on job postings throughout the state, visit <a target="_blank" href="https://illinois.jobs2web.com">https://illinois.jobs2web.com</a>.</p><p>For the upcoming winter, IDOT will have over 1,800 trucks available for deployment to plow more than 17,000 centerline miles of roads statewide, the equivalent of driving back and forth between New York City to Los Angeles three times. Last winter, IDOT crews spread more than 437,100 tons of salt statewide. This winter, salt domes throughout the state are close to capacity, with more than 460,350 tons on hand, a little more than twice the weight of the Willis Tower. </p><p>The Illinois Tollway deploys a fleet of 196 snowplows during winter storms to clear its 294 miles of roads and has stockpiled 89,000 tons of salt to help ensure its 1.5 million daily drivers can safely reach their destinations even during stormy winter weather.</p><p>“Keeping our customers safe and our roads clear is our top priority this winter, and we will accomplish this critically important job by quickly mobilizing our roadway workers and deploying our full fleet of snowplows whenever severe weather strikes,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. “We’re urging our customers to help us achieve this goal by slowing down during storms and increasing their distance from other vehicles, especially emergency vehicles and snowplows, which need extra room to safely clear the roads. We’re also reminding drivers that even during winter storms help is only a phone call away, so if their cars become disabled, they should dial *999 for assistance and remain with their vehicles instead of trying to go for help themselves.”</p><p>Illinois Tollway road condition information is available at <a target="_blank" href="http://www.illinoistollway.com">www.illinoistollway.com</a>.<br /> </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="wcfcqqqn" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2022-11-16]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Annual safety campaign urges drivers to prepare now for Old Man Winter
Display date: 2022-11-16
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="xpyorugb" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Its Simple Move Over for All Stopped Vehicles","name":"MoveOver-blog_1022 (1).png","width":"","description":"Its Simple Move Over for All Stopped Vehicles","title":"MoveOver-blog_1022 (1).png","type":"document","uuid":"b53489b6-c8ea-1a67-28a1-119aed11b0a5","fileEntryId":"1301650","resourcePrimKey":"1301670","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/MoveOver-blog_1022%20%281%29.png/b53489b6-c8ea-1a67-28a1-119aed11b0a5?t=1668548535835","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="wibqaqte" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Its Simple Move Over for All Stopped Vehicles","name":"MoveOver-blog_1022.png","width":"","description":"Its Simple Move Over for All Stopped Vehicles","title":"MoveOver-blog_1022.png","type":"document","uuid":"6c099120-0cb4-d868-f628-bddf5be9df00","fileEntryId":"1301631","resourcePrimKey":"1301670","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/MoveOver-blog_1022.png/6c099120-0cb4-d868-f628-bddf5be9df00?t=1668548399766","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="pcdyolkv" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[It’s Simple - Move Over for All Stopped Vehicles]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="pixdmizf" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="nghzlkof" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>When a crash temporarily closed the westbound lanes on the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) in McHenry County, a driver veered around four Illinois Tollway trucks stopping traffic, only to slam into another Tollway truck assisting with the crash cleanup.</p><p>That incident was just one of the 29 times this year that drivers have struck a Tollway vehicle, a number that is up by over 30% from last year. It’s a dangerous problem—not just for roadway workers and emergency responders, but for drivers themselves.<br /> <br />“This is a deadly serious problem that threatens everyone who uses our roads—not just Tollway workers, or Illinois State Police troopers, but every driver who someday may find themselves stopped or stranded along the side of the road,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. “But this danger could be eliminated if drivers remember to slow down and move over whenever they approach any stopped vehicle that has its hazard lights activated. It’s up to all of us to follow the Move Over Law and protect each other.”<br /> <br />So far this year, no Tollway workers or Illinois State Police troopers have been seriously injured in these types of crashes, though there have been some close calls.<br /> <br />In October, a driver trying to cut through a closed lane in a work zone on the Tri-State Tollway (I-294) knocked down a Tollway worker who was outside of his vehicle helping manage the lane closure. Luckily, the worker suffered only bumps and bruises as a result of the incident.<br /> <br />In previous years, Tollway workers and ISP troopers have been killed in other incidents by drivers who violated the Move Over Law.</p><p>The law, also known as Scott’s Law, requires drivers to slow down and, if possible, safely change lanes when approaching any vehicle stopped on or along a road with its hazard lights flashing.</p><p>Drivers who fail to comply with the Move Over Law face serious legal penalties, including fines of up to $10,000, a two-year suspension of driving privileges and in some cases, a jail sentence.<br /> <br />By slowing down and moving over when approaching any stopped vehicle that has its hazard lights flashing, drivers will avoid any legal penalties while also helping protect workers, emergency responders, other motorists and themselves. <br /> <br />“Slowing down gives drivers more time to react to unexpected situations and moving over creates extra space between your car and other vehicles, providing an increased margin of safety,” said ISP Capt. Jason Bradley, District 15 commander. “Taking these simple steps, which are required by law, will make the roads safer for everyone.”</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="vnviunxl" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2022-11-15]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Its Simple Move Over For All Stopped Vehicles
Display date: 2022-11-15
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="hevgcbpo" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway joins other major transportation agencies in outlining plans for 2023 construction","name":"TollwayLogo-blog_1122.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway joins other major transportation agencies in outlining plans for 2023 construction","title":"TollwayLogo-blog_1122.png","type":"document","uuid":"da800944-d7fc-6593-b454-44de68fc7a61","fileEntryId":"1301405","resourcePrimKey":"1301426","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/TollwayLogo-blog_1122.png/da800944-d7fc-6593-b454-44de68fc7a61?t=1668529279222","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="fuhudein" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway joins other major transportation agencies in outlining plans for 2023 construction","name":"TollwayLogo-blog_1122.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway joins other major transportation agencies in outlining plans for 2023 construction","title":"TollwayLogo-blog_1122.png","type":"document","uuid":"da800944-d7fc-6593-b454-44de68fc7a61","fileEntryId":"1301405","resourcePrimKey":"1301426","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/TollwayLogo-blog_1122.png/da800944-d7fc-6593-b454-44de68fc7a61?t=1668529279222","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="dwawretd" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway joins other major transportation agencies in outlining plans for 2023 construction]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="vlufvmjv" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="grzzeywt" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The regional transportation network in Northern Illinois is continuously growing, improving and evolving to meet the current and future needs of the traveling public. </p><p>So, having leadership from the Illinois Tollway and other major transportation agencies gathered together in one place is a great opportunity for transportation industry professionals to learn about what’s coming up and gain perspective on how all the upcoming improvements fit together. </p><p>“We will continue to look to many of you here today to help us keep these major projects moving forward,” Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse told the group of more than 340 transportation professionals at the annual Illinois Road and Transportation Builders Association (IRTBA) State of the Industry membership meeting on October 27. </p><p>The IRTBA State of the Industry meeting is one of the rare opportunities for regional transportation and transit agencies to come together and share their plans for the coming year with representatives of construction and professional engineering services firms from throughout Illinois. It helps broaden the industry’s perspectives on the scale and scope of work on the horizon, providing insights on how projects by different agencies may fit together and the potential impact on market conditions depending on the amount of work available. </p><p>Rouse provided a preview of planned work in 2023, the 12th year of the Tollway’s 15-year, $14 billion Move Illinois Program. She highlighted ongoing work on the Tollway’s two biggest project – the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) and I-490 Tollway projects – as well as contract opportunities available for firms to participate on those two big project, as well as systemwide projects. For 2023, the Tollway currently anticipates advertising nearly $160 million in construction contracts and approximately $57 million in professional engineering services contracts. </p><p>The second of the two IRTBA State of the Industry meetings, the October 27 meeting also included presentations on 2023 projects and contract opportunities by leaders from the Illinois Department of Transportation, Chicago Department of Transportation, Chicago Transit Authority and the Lake, Kane and Will country transportation departments. The first meeting was held September 28 and featured leaders from IDOT, the Chicago Department of Aviation, Metra and the Cook, DuPage and McHenry departments of transportation. </p><p>IRTBA makes all the State of the Industry presentations available to its members <a target="_blank" href="https://www.irtba.org/GMM">here</a> on its website.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="chvqceod" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2022-11-15]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway joins other major transportation agencies in outlining plans for 2023 construction
Display date: 2022-11-15
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="ybyxpyvf" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway to Host Financial Planning Event for Small Business","name":"BuildingRdFinSuccess-blog_1122.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway to Host Financial Planning Event for Small Business","title":"BuildingRdFinSuccess-blog_1122.png","type":"document","uuid":"d2d05a0e-cd16-5a16-9900-83a0fa78b630","fileEntryId":"1300787","resourcePrimKey":"1301107","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/BuildingRdFinSuccess-blog_1122.png/d2d05a0e-cd16-5a16-9900-83a0fa78b630?t=1668447527848","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="qbnfbneq" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway to Host Financial Planning Event for Small Business","name":"BuildingRdFinSuccess-blog_1122.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway to Host Financial Planning Event for Small Business","title":"BuildingRdFinSuccess-blog_1122.png","type":"document","uuid":"d2d05a0e-cd16-5a16-9900-83a0fa78b630","fileEntryId":"1300787","resourcePrimKey":"1301107","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/BuildingRdFinSuccess-blog_1122.png/d2d05a0e-cd16-5a16-9900-83a0fa78b630?t=1668447527848","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="ozruspsz" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway to Host Financial Planning Event for Small Business]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="fvivuvee" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="hfqstyra" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Registration now open with presentations and resources from leading financial institutions on financial best practices, access to capital, and small business growth strategies<br /> <br />The Illinois Tollway is hosting a Building the Road to Success: Financial Planning for Small Businesses event in Chicago this week to share advice and resources to support small diverse and minority-owned companies with financial management and capital development necessary to succeed in the heavy highway construction industry. <br /> <br />The event will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Friday, November 18, at Malcom X College Conference Center, 1900 W. Jackson Boulevard in Chicago. Registration and information is available <a target="_blank" href="https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07ejgov41j524d9c11&oseq=&c=&ch=">here</a>.<br /> <br />Financial planning is critical for any successful business, but the process can be complicated,” said Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. “Small business owners frequently need to wear many hats, often work long hours and deal with so many stressful decisions, and financial guidance from experts can help confirm that they are on the right track.”<br /> <br />To help guide their small businesses toward sustainable growth, owners can consider working with financial experts in a number of areas to help utilize their resources efficiently and ensure business success, including by setting clear goals, budgeting and managing cash flow, mitigating risks, planning for future operations, raising capital and tracking and measuring performance.<br /> <br />The Building the Road to Success event will provided firms with direct access to commercial banking industry experts and also with information about construction opportunities across the region’s transportation network:</p><ul><li>“The Changing Economy and Construction Opportunities Ahead” - Erin Aleman, Executive Director of the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning </li><li>"Alternative Ways to Raise Capital" – Phillip Sweeney, CPA and member of Coalition of African American Leaders (COAL)</li><li>“Planning for Sustainable Growth” – Micae Brown, Assistant Vice President and Business Advisor, U.S. Bank</li><li>“Meeting with Financial Institutions: How to Prepare and Questions to Ask” – Letticia Flores Poole, Senior Manager-Industry Vertical; Geovanni Soto, Director; and Diana Talpa, Relationship Manager, BMO Harris Bank</li><li>“How to Weather a Financial Storm” – Khadija Ganiyeva, Small Business Banker, Wells Fargo</li></ul><p> <br />The Illinois Tollway is focused on promoting, assisting and ensuring diverse participation in all aspects of Tollway operations, including construction contracting and consulting, with programs and resources supported by the Illinois Tollway providing technical assistance, training, mentoring and business development opportunities for firms.<br /> <br />In addition, as part of its commitment to increasing the diversity, the Tollway establishes contract amounts ranging from less than $1 million to more than $100 million so they are accessible to firms of varying sizes, including small and minority-owned businesses. <br /> <br />More than $10.5 billion has been invested by the Illinois Tollway since the Move Illinois Program began in 2012, with more than $2.7 billion of that total committed to small, diverse and veteran-owned firms.<br /> <br />For more information about the Tollway’s opportunities for businesses, visit the Doing Business section on the Tollway’s website www.illinoistollway.com.<br /> <br /><strong>About Move Illinois</strong><br />The Illinois Tollway’s 15-year, $14 billion capital program, Move Illinois: The Illinois Tollway Driving the Future, is improving mobility, relieving congestion, reducing pollution, creating as many as 152,000 jobs and linking economies throughout the region. The first 10 years of Move Illinois are on schedule and within budget, delivering the rebuilt and widened Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) as a state-of-the-art 21st century corridor and opening a new interchange connecting the Tri-State Tollway (I-294) to I-57. Progress continues on projects addressing the remaining needs of the existing Tollway system, delivering the Elgin O’Hare Western Access Project and reconstruction of the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294). <br /> <br /><strong>About the Illinois Tollway </strong><br />The Illinois Tollway is a user-fee system that receives no state or federal funds for maintenance and operations. The agency maintains and operates 294 miles of roadways in 12 counties in Northern Illinois, including the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355), the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80) and the Illinois Route 390 Tollway. </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="wawvncso" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2022-11-14]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway to Host Financial Planning Event for Small Business
Display date: 2022-11-14
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="dwdzkldo" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"The Chicago Lighthouse Awarded Contract to Handle Calls to 999 ","name":"20221103 999 Sign.png","width":"","description":"The Chicago Lighthouse Awarded Contract to Handle Calls to 999 ","title":"20221103 999 Sign.png","type":"document","uuid":"c4767747-4f23-199d-f88a-352a3f289c48","fileEntryId":"1299034","resourcePrimKey":"1299054","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/20221103%20999%20Sign.png/c4767747-4f23-199d-f88a-352a3f289c48?t=1667503102606","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="siiisunm" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"The Chicago Lighthouse Awarded Contract to Handle Calls to 999 ","name":"20221103 999 Sign.png","width":"","description":"The Chicago Lighthouse Awarded Contract to Handle Calls to 999 ","title":"20221103 999 Sign.png","type":"document","uuid":"c4767747-4f23-199d-f88a-352a3f289c48","fileEntryId":"1299034","resourcePrimKey":"1299054","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/20221103%20999%20Sign.png/c4767747-4f23-199d-f88a-352a3f289c48?t=1667503102606","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="dtystvhb" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[The Chicago Lighthouse Awarded Contract to Handle Calls to *999]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="kavjfzhy" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="xdvabjge" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The *999 motorist assistance program plays an important role in keeping Illinois motorists safe and traffic moving efficiently. </p><p>As of October 1, the responsibility for fielding *999 calls is with The Chicago Lighthouse, a social service organization that assists those who are visually impaired, disabled or military veterans.</p><p>“The *999 service is vital to quickly identifying and responding to roadway incidents with the appropriate resources and we are pleased to have The Chicago Lighthouse on board,” said Steven Mednis, general manager of traffic and incident management for the Illinois Tollway. </p><p>“Whether it’s a bed mattress lying in the middle of the road or a stalled vehicle on the shoulder causing a gaper’s delay, getting information right away helps us respond quickly so we can keep traffic moving safely and efficiently and reduce the risk of secondary incidents.” </p><p>Jointly funded by the Illinois Tollway and Illinois Department of Transportation, *999 allows motorists to use their cellphones to report roadway incidents that are not life-threatening or critical enough to warrant a call to 911. Most calls are related to traffic issues that block lanes or slow down traffic, like stalled vehicles, property damage incidents, potholes, roadway debris, flat tire or other vehicle problems. </p><p>The *999 service provides a 24/7 direct connection to roadway assistance for motorists using the Tollway system, expressways and arterial roadways in the six-county Chicago metropolitan area – Cook, DuPage, Kane, Will, Lake and McHenry – though the service reaches all 12 counties served by the Tollway in Northern Illinois. The service is intended to reduce the volume of calls to 911, where the priority is life-threatening situations. </p><p>The Chicago Lighthouse was awarded the contract through the State Use Program. This program provides long-term job opportunities for people working in not-for-profit community rehabilitation facilities. It benefits state agencies with high-quality products and services produced by state not-for-profit organizations at competitive prices and reduced administrative costs. </p><p>The Chicago Lighthouse is well-acquainted with the Illinois Tollway. Since 2013, it has managed the Tollway’s Customer Service Call Center assisting I-PASS customers through phone, email and the internet. In 2021, The Chicago Lighthouse call-takers assisted 1.3 million Tollway customers. It will operate the *999 call center at the same location at the University of Illinois at Chicago, but separately from the Tollway Customer Call Center. </p><p>The Lighthouse has been aggressive in preparing the take on *999, said Mednis. They were ready to hit the ground running in advance of the October 1 start date when they took over from the previous service provider. </p><p>Being well-prepared was necessary. Even though calls to *999 are non-emergency in nature, it’s still a fast-paced environment for call-takers. Most calls to *999 must be answered within 30 seconds. </p><p>Last year, call-takers answered more than 37,000 calls. Motorists call in with information about the nature of the issue, their location, nearest milepost and, if reporting a crash, the number of vehicles involved and a description of the vehicles. These calls are routed to dispatchers with the Tollway, IDOT, Illinois State Police, county sheriffs’ departments, local police and fire departments and other emergency responders. </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="tgpsnbar" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2022-11-03]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
The Chicago Lighthouse Awarded Contract to Handle Calls to 999
Display date: 2022-11-03
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="ovqvpzta" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway dispatch center sends unusual aid - Care packages to hurricane-hit Florida 911 center","name":"20221102 999 Portillos.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway dispatch center sends unusual aid - Care packages to hurricane-hit Florida 911 center","title":"20221102 999 Portillos.png","type":"document","uuid":"eaf375ae-4b08-63c3-5a83-4e37b5a88217","fileEntryId":"1298663","resourcePrimKey":"1298683","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/20221102%20999%20Portillos.png/eaf375ae-4b08-63c3-5a83-4e37b5a88217?t=1667406591074","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="jrzdwqun" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway dispatch center sends unusual aid - Care packages to hurricane-hit Florida 911 center","name":"20221102 999 Portillos.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway dispatch center sends unusual aid - Care packages to hurricane-hit Florida 911 center","title":"20221102 999 Portillos.png","type":"document","uuid":"eaf375ae-4b08-63c3-5a83-4e37b5a88217","fileEntryId":"1298663","resourcePrimKey":"1298683","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/20221102%20999%20Portillos.png/eaf375ae-4b08-63c3-5a83-4e37b5a88217?t=1667406591074","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="ypjzujmj" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway dispatch center sends unusual aid: Care packages to hurricane-hit Florida 911 center]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="dnqoxyts" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="gijsnybp" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Illinois Tollway telecommunicators are used to handling emergencies and sending help—they answer 911 calls and other requests for assistance from drivers using the Tollway system.<br /> <br />But staffers at the Tollway dispatch center recently responded to an emergency situation far from the Tollway system, assisting a 911 center in a Florida county slammed in September by Hurricane Ian.<br /> <br />They couldn’t dispatch H.E.L.P. trucks or police assistance, but Tollway telecommunications staffers dipped into their own pockets and collected money to send the beleaguered Highlands County Sheriff’s Office dispatch center a care package of meals from Portillo’s—including the Italian beef sandwiches, Chicago-style hotdogs, Polish sausages, and chocolate cake made famous by the Chicago-based restaurant chain.<br /> <br />“Hopefully, this will lift their spirits a little bit,” Tollway Dispatch Manager Craig Lundt said of the culinary care packages that went out earlier this month “We want them to know we’re thinking of them and will support them however we can.”<br /> <br />Dispatchers in Highlands County were touched by the support they received from an agency so far away, said Shane Smith, dispatch director for Highlands County, which is about 75 miles inland from the Gulf Coast where Ian first made landfall.<br /> <br />“It was definitely appreciated here,” Smith said. “It’s a really sweet thing for them to do for us.”<br /> <br />Her agency had a rough time when the hurricane swept through—her dispatch center lost all telephone, internet and cell phone service for a short time. Even the emergency satellite phones kept for those type of situations briefly didn’t work.<br /> <br />“It was creepy because no phones were ringing for a while,” Smith said, recalling that the hurricane shutters on the building were shaking so violently she thought they might tear loose.<br /> <br />And before and after the communications shutdown, her dispatchers were frustrated because storm conditions were so fierce that they couldn’t safely dispatch emergency responders immediately to those callers asking for help.<br /> <br />“Our job is to send help to people who need it,” Smith said. “It’s really difficult to have to tell someone ‘I’m sorry, I can’t help you right now.”<br /> <br />The Tollway’s dispatch center reached out to Highlands County when the national Association of Public Communications Officials launched an adopt-a-center program to provide aid and encouragement to hard-hit dispatch center in Florida.<br /> <br />While Lundt said his team quickly sent meals from Portillo’s, they also followed up, assembling a second round of care packages went out a few days later, containing snacks, cleaning supplies and other practical items the Highlands County dispatch center likely will need as it moves from Hurricane Ian.<br /> <br />Those packages also contain cards offering good wishes and support from students at the Science Academy of Chicago, where Lundt’s wife, Stephanie Alba, teaches. <br /> <br />“Dispatchers continuously answer the call no matter whoever needs our help,” Lundt said. “We have an incredible team of dedicated professionals here who always come together in times of need. But that's what makes dispatchers—wherever they’re working--a special group of people.” </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="elhgnces" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2022-11-02]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway dispatch center sends unusual aid - Care packages to hurricane-hit Florida 911 center
Display date: 2022-11-02
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="cwafaght" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway brings to life engineering for high school pre-engineering students","name":"20221101 student 1b.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway brings to life engineering for high school pre-engineering students","title":"20221101 student 1b.png","type":"document","uuid":"1b5a3550-a8c1-a936-dbee-a7e010a5e4bb","fileEntryId":"1298315","resourcePrimKey":"1298335","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/20221101%20student%201b.png/1b5a3550-a8c1-a936-dbee-a7e010a5e4bb?t=1667333365999","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="mudheatp" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway brings to life engineering for high school pre-engineering students","name":"20221101 student 1b.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway brings to life engineering for high school pre-engineering students","title":"20221101 student 1b.png","type":"document","uuid":"1b5a3550-a8c1-a936-dbee-a7e010a5e4bb","fileEntryId":"1298315","resourcePrimKey":"1298335","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/20221101%20student%201b.png/1b5a3550-a8c1-a936-dbee-a7e010a5e4bb?t=1667333365999","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="aruqqhta" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway brings to life engineering for high school pre-engineering students]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="ckcnbota" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="dmzgsvms" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Area high school seniors recently visited several construction sites on the Illinois Tollway system to gain real-world knowledge of what it takes to build roads and bridges. <br /> <br />“This is another way for us to engage the next generation of engineering and transportation industry professionals,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse, who met with students at the Mile Long Bridge Project on the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294). “This and future construction site visits provide high school engineering teachers throughout Northern Illinois with the opportunity to bring to life the concepts they’re teaching in their classrooms,” Rouse said. <br /> <br />The first such site visits, held on October 25, were with groups of pre-engineering students from Argo Community High School in Summit and Thornridge High School in Dolton. These are students currently taking such classes as advanced placement calculus and AutoCAD. <br /> <br />On I-294, students visited the recently completed Mile Long Bridge Project and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway Bridge Project and on the I-490 Tollway they toured the ongoing I-490/I-90 Interchange Project. <br /> <br />They met with Executive Director Rouse and other Tollway leadership, as well as project managers, to learn the ins and outs of major civil engineering projects. Students were giving the chance to see project plans, ask questions and get a better understanding of some of the biggest, most complex projects in the region. <br /> <br />“Site visits are highly effective because it’s important for young engineers to have a greater awareness of an actual construction site and its surroundings to develop the most effective solutions,” said Acting Chief Engineering Officer Manar Nashif. “Site visits provide students the opportunity to observe, reflect and comprehend real-world situations while gaining insights from some of the best civil engineers in the business.” </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="esebfdfk" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2022-11-01]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway brings to life engineering for high school pre-engineering students
Display date: 2022-11-01
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="iuhjswsm" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Mobile Barrier System has Neighbors Looking to Follow Suit","name":"20221031 mobile barrier.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway Mobile Barrier System has Neighbors Looking to Follow Suit","title":"20221031 mobile barrier.png","type":"document","uuid":"f13d1794-b860-bdde-2970-50b95764a9dc","fileEntryId":"1297421","resourcePrimKey":"1297473","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/20221031%20mobile%20barrier.png/f13d1794-b860-bdde-2970-50b95764a9dc?t=1667228804230","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="dxjsauuu" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Mobile Barrier System has Neighbors Looking to Follow Suit","name":"20221031 mobile barrier.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway Mobile Barrier System has Neighbors Looking to Follow Suit","title":"20221031 mobile barrier.png","type":"document","uuid":"f13d1794-b860-bdde-2970-50b95764a9dc","fileEntryId":"1297421","resourcePrimKey":"1297473","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/20221031%20mobile%20barrier.png/f13d1794-b860-bdde-2970-50b95764a9dc?t=1667228804230","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="xqhcaydg" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway's Mobile Barrier System has Neighbors Looking to Follow Suit]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="dmpffpep" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="karthngh" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>An 83-foot-long portable steel safety barrier used by the Illinois Tollway to shield roadway and emergency workers from fast-moving traffic is catching the eye of drivers—and of transportation officials in other states.</p><p>The sheer size and visibility of the bright yellow barrier, which includes a rear electronic message board to alert drivers to road repairs or traffic incidents, encourages drivers to slow down and steer clear of it as they approach, Tollway officials said.</p><p>Transportation officials from a variety of agencies also are taking notice, scheduling visits to inspect the two mobile work zone barriers the Tollway has in its inventory to see how the Innovative safety equipment works.</p><p>Roadway officials from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation and five Wisconsin counties recently traveled to the Tollway’s Rockford maintenance site to learn how and when the Tollway deploys the mobile work zone barriers, which are hauled into place by a semi-tractor to form a protective outer wall that shields workers from passing traffic. Each barrier includes a fold-down, crash barricade mounted on the back of the structure to provide additional protection to workers from rear-end crashes. <br /> <br />After inspecting one of the mobile barrier systems and reviewing with Tollway staff how the agency uses it, Wisconsin officials liked what they saw.</p><p>“We want get the input the Tollway can provide based on their experience, which should help us determine the best situations where we could use this barrier,” said Andy Heidtke, statewide work zone design engineer for the Wisconsin DOT. </p><p>But he added: “We’d like to get at least one in the state.”</p><p>The Tollway purchased the mobile barriers about four years ago to better protect Tollway maintenance staff and emergency responders working on busy roads close to fast-moving traffic where there’s little room for workers—and little margin for error.</p><p>Several Wisconsin roadway officials were impressed by the safety benefits the barriers would provide roadway workers.</p><p>“From the standpoint of the safety of the workers, it’s invaluable,” said Chris Hardy, highway commissioner of Columbia County in central Wisconsin, which maintains portions of I-90, I-94 and I-39. “The issue for us is the logistics of when and where you deploy it.”</p><p>Tollway staff move the two barriers owned by the agency around its 294-mile system, typically using each one about 20 hours weekly to create a safe work zone for a variety of tasks, including pavement repairs, rolling lane closures, roadway lighting work and assisting contractors with maintenance of traffic in work zone. </p><p>Illinois State Police District 15 troopers also employ the barriers during accident reconstructions and to aid in the recovery of damaged vehicles in the event of a major crash.</p><p>Each barrier carries extra lighting and a generator to help illuminate work zones or crash scenes to assist workers and emergency responders.</p><p>Working behind the mobile barrier, crews are less distracted and can frequently can reopen lanes faster, minimizing the impact of repairs and crashes for drivers, said Steve Mednis, general manager of traffic and incident management.</p><p>“These structures are a great fit for us because we can shift them around as needed to protect our workers as they maintain our roads, clear accident scenes and assist our customers,” Mednis said. “They help us work more efficiently and safely.”</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="uqeplcth" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2022-10-31]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Mobile Barrier System has Neighbors Looking to Follow Suit
Display date: 2022-10-31
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="tpxzkoms" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway customer service reps show support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month ","name":"IPASS-BreastCancer-blog_1022.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway customer service reps show support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month ","title":"IPASS-BreastCancer-blog_1022.png","type":"document","uuid":"a44215fe-008e-f59a-113f-8647698a748e","fileEntryId":"1297248","resourcePrimKey":"1297268","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/IPASS-BreastCancer-blog_1022.png/a44215fe-008e-f59a-113f-8647698a748e?t=1666887139561","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="aapjbqpp" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway customer service reps show support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month ","name":"IPASS-BreastCancer-blog_1022.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway customer service reps show support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month ","title":"IPASS-BreastCancer-blog_1022.png","type":"document","uuid":"a44215fe-008e-f59a-113f-8647698a748e","fileEntryId":"1297248","resourcePrimKey":"1297268","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/IPASS-BreastCancer-blog_1022.png/a44215fe-008e-f59a-113f-8647698a748e?t=1666887139561","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="kmqakwkm" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway customer service reps show support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="htkqdhgi" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="xbrckuff" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway’s Toll Operations team is always looking for ways to liven up the workplace, but recently their team used their casual, themed Fridays to call out a cause near to many - October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month.</p><p>“Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, our team has done a great job coming in to the office to serve our customers,” said Chief of Toll Operations Pat Taylor. “So, dress-up Fridays is a great way to build a greater sense of camaraderie and make coming into work more enjoyable, which helps boost morale and increase productivity,” </p><p>Customer service representatives returned to work at Tollway headquarters in Downers Grove in June 2020 to answer customer phone calls and provide outreach to customers via calls and emails. At that time, they were the main point of contact for customers with limited in-person services and restricted call center capacity in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. </p><p>Since reopening, they continue to serve the public looking for in-person assistance from the Tollway, and most of the approximately 60 customer service representatives participate in their themed Fridays, especially for a cause such as breast cancer awareness.</p><p>The Illinois Tollway also has taken steps to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month, hanging large pink ribbons – the symbol for the battle against breast cancer – in the three-story windows at either end of the Central Administration Building in Downers Grove. </p><p>And, internally, the Administration Department provides information and resources for Tollway employees and their families about the importance of annual exams for men and women and the various options for breast cancer screenings. </p><p>“We want to be a part of this effort to raise awareness because we think this is a vitally important health issue,” Taylor said.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="zzajpacu" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2022-10-27]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway customer service reps show support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Display date: 2022-10-27
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="rnomnfnv" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"TIMS2GO continues to gain industry recognition for innovation","name":"20221025 TIMS2GO.png","width":"","description":"TIMS2GO continues to gain industry recognition for innovation","title":"20221025 TIMS2GO.png","type":"document","uuid":"9eb57c90-98d6-d159-1fbf-234e6756803c","fileEntryId":"1296827","resourcePrimKey":"1296847","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/20221025%20TIMS2GO.png/9eb57c90-98d6-d159-1fbf-234e6756803c?t=1666707244596","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="pxnuwaok" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"TIMS2GO continues to gain industry recognition for innovation","name":"20221025 TIMS2GO.png","width":"","description":"TIMS2GO continues to gain industry recognition for innovation","title":"20221025 TIMS2GO.png","type":"document","uuid":"9eb57c90-98d6-d159-1fbf-234e6756803c","fileEntryId":"1296827","resourcePrimKey":"1296847","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/20221025%20TIMS2GO.png/9eb57c90-98d6-d159-1fbf-234e6756803c?t=1666707244596","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="hhepelhq" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[TIMS2GO continues to gain industry recognition for innovation]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="opmngnak" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="niuirhsr" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway may need a bigger trophy case just for TIMS2GO. <br /> <br />The TIMS2GO mobile incident response tool was recognized by Government Technology magazine as one of its 10 top award winners in the operations category for its <a target="_blank" href="https://www.govtech.com/districts/awards/2022/operations">National Innovation Showcase</a>. The operations category focuses on public agencies that use innovative technologies to improve internal operations. </p><p>Recognition for TIMS2GO by Government Technology is part of the online publication’s annual Special District Awards Program, which highlights innovative ideas and best practices across transportation, transit, airports and other public service agencies nationwide. Government Technology will recognize its top 10 Innovation Award and District of the Year award winners later this year. </p><p>Earlier this year, the American Public Works Association awarded its <a target="_blank" href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/-/apwa-awards-its-technical-innovation-award-to-illinois-tollway">Technical Innovation Award</a> to the Illinois Tollway for TIMS2GO. The national award recognizes the development, management and implementation of a creative idea, program, process or system that enhances delivery of public works services to the public. </p><p>TIMS2GO also has been a hot topic at various transportation and technology industry conferences. In September, it was featured at the ITS World Congress, an international conference that attracts hundreds of professionals from the intelligent transportation systems industry. It was previously showcased at the University of Illinois Traffic and Engineering Safety Conference in October 2021 and at the ITS Midwest annual meeting in November 2021. <br /> <br />Deployed in late 2020, TIMS2GO puts all the Tollway’s intelligent transportation system technologies into the palms of the hands of its traffic and incident managers. It gives traffic and incident managers the ability to gather real-time incident information and direct appropriate resources to respond anytime from anywhere using any smartphone, tablet or laptop on any browser. <br /> <br />One of the greatest benefits of TIMS2GO is improved communications, which allows the Tollway to respond quicker and more effectively to roadway incidents so that emergency responders can take necessary actions to minimize the potential for further injuries or property damage. By responding and clearing incidents quickly, the Tollway is able to maintain safe, efficient travel for Tollway customers. <br /> <br />Traffic and incident managers working offsite can immediately use TIMS2GO to access live video, incident details and response status updates, as well as share information with Illinois State Police District 15, which is responsible for patrolling the Tollway system, as well as other emergency responders. They don’t need to rely on traffic operations technicians and dispatchers to verbally describe what’s happening on the scene by phone or two-way radio. </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="olkracgo" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2022-10-25]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
TIMS2GO continues to gain industry recognition for innovation
Display date: 2022-10-25
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="pueyfvqe" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Goes Downstate to Highlight Results of its Investments","name":"20221020 THE Group.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway Goes Downstate to Highlight Results of its Investments","title":"20221020 THE Group.png","type":"document","uuid":"6fc1cabb-aa25-d502-f6d7-f1fb1aaf6e67","fileEntryId":"1295967","resourcePrimKey":"1295987","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/20221020%20THE%20Group.png/6fc1cabb-aa25-d502-f6d7-f1fb1aaf6e67?t=1666364129895","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="rcursjxk" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Goes Downstate to Highlight Results of its Investments","name":"20221020 THE Group.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway Goes Downstate to Highlight Results of its Investments","title":"20221020 THE Group.png","type":"document","uuid":"6fc1cabb-aa25-d502-f6d7-f1fb1aaf6e67","fileEntryId":"1295967","resourcePrimKey":"1295987","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/20221020%20THE%20Group.png/6fc1cabb-aa25-d502-f6d7-f1fb1aaf6e67?t=1666364129895","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="fqewfkma" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Goes Downstate to Highlight Results of its Investments]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="imukmcng" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="wzagvqkx" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway recognizes the value of investing for the future, whether it’s building new roads or bridges to improve mobility or adopting new technologies to better manage traffic. </p><p>Such investments were highlighted at the 71st Annual Illinois Traffic and Engineering Safety Conference hosted by the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign. </p><p>The annual TES conference is considered the premier meeting in the Midwest for transportation and safety professionals to discuss ideas and issues, gain job-related knowledge and network with other like-minded professionals from the ranks of local, state, and federal agencies, consulting and contracting firms and university faculty and students attend this conference. </p><p>Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse provided an update on the agency’s Move Illinois capital program, detailing how the <a href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/-/new-i-294-i-57-interchange-steering-more-development-jobs-to-chicago-southland">new Tri-State Tollway (I-294)/I-57 Interchange</a> is stimulating economic development in the Chicago Southland. She detailed the numerous commercial developments – new warehouses, logistics centers and manufacturing firms – that have come to communities including Markham, Harvey, Posen and Midlothian. </p><p>Rouse showed how the Tollway’s investments in transportation infrastructure over the past 11 years have had a similar effect on communities throughout the Tollway system. She pointed to companies like Amazon, Ace Hardware and Zekelman Industries that have purchased and leased properties along the Tollway system, building new opportunities, revitalizing local communities and creating jobs. </p><p>Tollway staff provided presentations on how the agency continues to invest in technology to improve traffic management, building upon the agency’s well-established track record of adapting new technologies to improve mobility and provide safe, efficient travel for motorists. </p><p>General Manager of Traffic and Incident Management Steve Mednis outlined how the Tollway is using third-party data to improve mobility. Third-party data, which is simply information collected by other companies, is now being used by the Tollway to more cost-effectively help traffic operations staff make better-informed decisions that lead to safer, more reliable travel for Tollway customers. Third-party data has proven to be highly accurate without the added expense of hardware and easily integrated into the Tollway’s traffic operations systems. </p><p>In addition, ITS Manager Rob Glaz and ITS consultant Jeff Hochmuth discussed how the Tollway has been looking at ways to integrate data gathered from connected vehicle to deliver improvements to our operations. Connected vehicles offer a wealth of data that the Tollway can tap into to identify and respond to incidents faster and more efficiently, reduce crashes and better communicate roadway safety information to our customers. Short-term, the Tollway will continue to use its Connected Vehicle Pilot Program to learn more about its potential applications while, long-term, looking at additional ways to use connected vehicle data to detect incidents, provide traveler information and communicate more with motorists </p><p>Read more about Tollway Traffic and Roadway Operations <a target="_blank" href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/travel-information#Traffic%20and%20Roadway%20Operations%20Information">here</a>. </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="ltiplazq" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2022-10-21]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Goes Downstate to Highlight Results of its Investments
Display date: 2022-10-21
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="haljtchy" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":1295789,"groupId":"20184","name":"2023TentativeBudget-blog_1022.png","alt":"Illinois Tollway Invites Public to Comment on Tentative 2023 Budget","title":"2023TentativeBudget-blog_1022.png","type":"document","uuid":"d6c3f2f3-1916-1b7b-6a61-57f5b470e8d1","fileEntryId":"1295789","resourcePrimKey":"1295909"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="txxnrphp" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":1295789,"groupId":"20184","name":"2023TentativeBudget-blog_1022.png","alt":"Illinois Tollway Invites Public to Comment on Tentative 2023 Budget","title":"2023TentativeBudget-blog_1022.png","type":"document","uuid":"d6c3f2f3-1916-1b7b-6a61-57f5b470e8d1","fileEntryId":"1295789","resourcePrimKey":"1295909"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="ldxawmxc" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Invites Public to Comment on Tentative 2023 Budget]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="sfktjumi" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="aobutkmp" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Balanced spending plan allocates more than $1.55 billion in annual revenue and supports more than $1.47 billion for capital program.</p><p>The Illinois Tollway introduced a balanced Tentative 2023 Budget with $1.55 billion of revenue today that includes $426.5 million for annual maintenance and operations on the 294-mile system and provides funds to support $1.47 billion in capital spending, including funding for the 12th year of the agency’s 15-year, $14 billion capital program, Move Illinois: The Illinois Tollway Driving the Future.</p><p>“Today we are releasing our Tentative 2023 Budget demonstrating the Illinois Tollway’s commitment to customer service and delivery of critical investments into our infrastructure,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. “We encourage the public to view the tentative budget and share their comments.”</p><p>As part of the Illinois Tollway’s 2023 Budget process, the general public is invited to visit the Illinois Tollway’s website www.illinoistollway.com to review the Tentative 2023 Budget book or view a recording of the presentation to the board. The public may also attend public hearings on Thursday, November 17, at 9 a.m. at Illinois Tollway headquarters in Downers Grove or at 6 p.m. at Markham Village Hall, 16313 S Kedzie Parkway, Markham.</p><p>In addition, written public comments also may be submitted online via the Tollway’s website www.illinoistollway.com, emailed to info@getipass.com or mailed to Communications Department, 2700 Ogden Avenue, Downers Grove, IL 60515 by November 30.</p><p>After the Board of Directors has reviewed the public comments and any changes have been incorporated, a final budget will be presented for approval by the Board at its December meeting.</p><p><strong>Tentative 2023 Budget</strong><br />The Tentative 2023 Budget presented to the Tollway’s Board of Directors outlines a balanced spending plan to support customer service, safety and security, and employee investments to improve efficiency, as well as the implementation of the largest capital program in the agency’s history. The proposed spending plan allocates nearly $1.12 billion for direct funding and debt service on capital investments, as well as $426.5 million for maintenance and operations. </p><p>“This Tentative 2023 Budget represents a balanced fiscal plan that allows us to allocate our resources wisely,” said Illinois Tollway Board of Directors Chair Dorothy Abreu. “We are committed to investments in new technology and services that will propel agency efficiencies and improve customer experiences.”</p><p>To support Tollway spending, the Tentative 2023 Budget includes a total $1.55 billion in projected revenue, an increase of 1.5 percent over 2022. This includes $1.52 billion from tolls and evasion recovery, including an annual commercial truck toll rate increase initially approved by the Tollway Board in 2008. There is no toll increase planned for passenger vehicles which has not increased since 2012.</p><p>The 2023 estimated revenues also include $20 million from investment income and $10 million from concessions and miscellaneous revenue. The Tollway also plans to issue $500 million in new bonds in 2023 to provide funding for capital program investments.</p><p>Overall, the Tentative 2023 Budget includes $426.5 million for Maintenance and Operations to support activities and services that focus on the Illinois Tollway’s customers. This includes Information Technology budget of $40.7 million which includes $6.6 million in support of new software to modernize processes, $94.3 million for State Police, Roadway Maintenance and Security and Safety services, as well as $99.3 million for Operations and Business Systems departments to provide customer services support and enhancements.</p><p>The Tentative 2023 Budget also supports the Tollway’s 2023 Capital Program that calls for investing $1.47 billion in 2023 with $314.8 million budgeted for systemwide roadway and bridge repairs to keep the existing Tollway system in good repair, as well as along with funding for key projects including:</p><ul><li>$615.3 million to continue design and reconstruction work for the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Project.</li><li>$506.3 million to continue planning and construction for the new I-490 Tollway and new interchanges connecting to the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), Tri-State Tollway (I-294), the Illinois Route 390 Tollway, as well as providing direct access in and out of O’Hare International Airport as part of the Elgin O’Hare Western Access Project. </li></ul><p><strong>About Move Illinois</strong><br />The Illinois Tollway’s 15-year, $14 billion Move Illinois capital program is improving mobility, relieving congestion, reducing pollution, creating as many as 152,000 jobs and linking economies throughout the region. The first 11 years of Move Illinois are on schedule and within budget, delivering the new Illinois Route 390 Tollway and a rebuilt and widened Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) with its new SmartRoad corridor, as well as a completed interchange connecting the Tri-State Tollway (I-294) to I-57. Progress continues on projects addressing the remaining needs of the existing Tollway system, delivering the new I-490 Tollway Project and reconstruction of the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294).<br /> <br /><strong>About the Illinois Tollway</strong><br />The Illinois Tollway is a user-fee system that receives no state or federal funds for maintenance and operations. The agency maintains and operates 294 miles of roadways in 12 counties in Northern Illinois, including the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355), the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80) and the Illinois Route 390 Tollway.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="hnxpxfel" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2022-10-21]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Invites Public to Comment on Tentative 2023 Budget
Display date: 2022-10-21
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<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="meuwkmyt" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"ASCE Illinois awards Outstanding Achievement Award to BNSF Railway Bridge Project","name":"20221018 IASCE Award CR.png","width":"","description":"ASCE Illinois awards Outstanding Achievement Award to BNSF Railway Bridge Project","title":"20221018 IASCE Award CR.png","type":"document","uuid":"ab733f58-aa7f-e5d1-b52f-fb8b5b3d2a7e","fileEntryId":"1294505","resourcePrimKey":"1294526","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/20221018%20IASCE%20Award%20CR.png/ab733f58-aa7f-e5d1-b52f-fb8b5b3d2a7e?t=1666129259157","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="loxotrby" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"ASCE Illinois awards Outstanding Achievement Award to BNSF Railway Bridge Project","name":"20221018 IASCE Award CR.png","width":"","description":"ASCE Illinois awards Outstanding Achievement Award to BNSF Railway Bridge Project","title":"20221018 IASCE Award CR.png","type":"document","uuid":"ab733f58-aa7f-e5d1-b52f-fb8b5b3d2a7e","fileEntryId":"1294505","resourcePrimKey":"1294526","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/20221018%20IASCE%20Award%20CR.png/ab733f58-aa7f-e5d1-b52f-fb8b5b3d2a7e?t=1666129259157","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="fctxtosd" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[ASCE Illinois awards Outstanding Achievement Award to BNSF Railway Bridge Project]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="tpuvtpfu" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="oxgtiwel" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The reconstruction of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway Bridge faced numerous challenges. <br /> <br />It’s one of the busiest railway bridges in the region. It crosses one of the busiest sections of interstate highway in Northern Illinois. And its surrounded on three sides by public parks and, on the fourth side, a public works facility. <br /> <br />To overcome those challenges and deliver the reconstruction on time and within budget took careful planning, close coordination with numerous affected entities and innovative thinking by an extraordinary team of engineers and contractors. <br /> <br />The efforts were recognized by the American Society of Civil Engineers, Illinois Section, which honored the BNSF Railway Bridge Project with an Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement Award at a ceremony in Chicago. <br /> <br />ASCE Illinois presents awards to engineering projects that exhibit the greatest engineering skills and represents the greatest contributions to civil engineering progress. The $96 million BNSF Railway Bridge Project was selected in the category for bridge projects in the range of $25 million to $100 million. <br /> <br />The Illinois Tollway thanked the BNSF Railway Bridge Project team led by Gannett Fleming as the lead design firm, structural engineer and civil rail engineer; TranSystems and H.R. Green as construction managers; and Walsh Construction as the prime contractor. <br /> <br />The Tollway reconstructed the BNSF Railway Bridge to accommodate widening of the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294). The I-294 reconstruction project adds a fifth lane and a flex lane and widens the shoulders to current standards. There was no room under the original 50-year-old bridge to safely add traffic lanes in both directions. <br /> <br />Design on the BNSF Railway Bridge Project started in 2014, with construction beginning in 2019. The project was completed on time and within budget in 2022. <br /> <br />The Tollway removed the existing BNSF Railway Bridge and replaced it with a longer, wider two-span steel beam structure to accommodate four tracks and allow for reconstruction and widening of I-294. The new fourth track will be used by BNSF for maintenance purposes.<br /> <br />One of the most impressive features of the project was reconstructing a bridge in one of the busiest transportation corridors in the region. This bridge carries near-constant rail traffic over a section of I-294 that carries approximately 200,000 vehicles a day. On average, approximately 104 Metra and Amtrak trains cross this bridge daily, as well as 52 daily freight trains.<br /> <br />Innovation was key to minimize disruptions to Tollway customers and rail traffic and keep the project on schedule. The Tollway ensured uninterrupted rail operations by building a temporary bypass bridge – also known as a “shoofly.” And, for the first time ever on a Tollway project, self-propelled modular transporter (SPMT) technology was used to install the shoofly. SPMT technology reduced customer impact to two weekends, compared to two months of overnight and weekend lane closures with full stops typically scheduled for conventional bridge construction.<br /> <br />The Tollway worked in close coordination with IDOT, Metra, BNSF Railway, Cook County, as well as the villages of Hinsdale and Western Springs and the Western Springs Park District. </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="bekdtxea" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2022-10-18]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
ASCE Illinois awards Outstanding Achievement Award to BNSF Railway Bridge Project
Display date: 2022-10-18
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<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="ijemlztp" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Spotlights New Interchange, Diversity and Procurement Efforts at ACEC Illinois Fall Conference","name":"ACEC Fall Conf-CRouse-blog_1022.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway Spotlights New Interchange, Diversity and Procurement Efforts at ACEC Illinois Fall Conference","title":"ACEC Fall Conf-CRouse-blog_1022.png","type":"journal","uuid":"a215c604-2916-6469-1e2c-aa5ecd27eb71","fileEntryId":"1291639","resourcePrimKey":"1291637","url":"/documents/924058/1291638/ACEC%20Fall%20Conf-CRouse-blog_1022.png/a215c604-2916-6469-1e2c-aa5ecd27eb71?t=1665166394767","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="ziewdpky" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"","name":"ACEC Fall Conf-CRouse-blog_1022 (1).png","width":"","description":"","title":"ACEC Fall Conf-CRouse-blog_1022 (1).png","type":"journal","uuid":"8636dc5c-2fcf-5c53-d911-c659a144e882","fileEntryId":"1291648","resourcePrimKey":"1291637","url":"/documents/924058/1291638/ACEC%20Fall%20Conf-CRouse-blog_1022%20%281%29.png/8636dc5c-2fcf-5c53-d911-c659a144e882?t=1665166394812","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="pcqfjwxv" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Spotlights New Interchange, Diversity and Procurement Efforts at ACEC Illinois Fall Conference]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="rhdhbjih" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="ubpjgjif" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Illinois Tollway projects and initiatives are playing in Peoria! <br /> <br />About 300 transportation engineers came down to the River City for the annual fall conference hosted by the American Council of Engineering Companies of Illinois to hear updates on the latest transportation topics. <br /> <br />Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse and Deputy Chief of Program Implementation Sarah Kukadia detailed construction of the new Tri-State Tollway (I-294)/I-57 Interchange and its subsequent economic impact in the Chicago Southland. <br /> <br />“This is an incredible success story,” said Rouse. “For decades, I-294 and I-57 crossed each other in the Chicago Southland but did not connect. This limited access to some communities, stalling job creation and economic development by making it more difficult and time-consuming for commercial vehicles to use the regional road network to transport materials and products.”<br /> <br />Kukadia outlined the evolution of the interchange project, from when it was first proposed in 1993 to its completion in September 2022, emphasizing the coordination among the Tollway, IDOT, local municipalities and other local interests. <br /> <br />Acting Chief of Procurement Peter Foernssler served on a panel discussing statements of interest. He discussed efforts underway to make the process more streamlined and offered tips on what firms can do avoid some of the common mistakes seen in past submittals. <br /> <br />Chief of Diversity and Strategic Development Terry Miller participated in a lunchtime panel discussion on expanding opportunities for small, diverse and veteran-owned firms. He identified areas where these firms have opportunities to grow and expand and the programs and resources available from the Tollway. </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="payhhxct" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2022-10-07]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Spotlights New Interchange, Diversity and Procurement Efforts at ACEC Illinois Fall Conference
Display date: 2022-10-07
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="zgycgqdj" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Kids Identification and Safety Seat events conclude for the summer but set to return in 2023","name":"KISS-Itasca-blog_0922.png","width":"","description":"Kids Identification and Safety Seat events conclude for the summer but set to return in 2023","title":"KISS-Itasca-blog_0922.png","type":"document","uuid":"b9c39fb6-5dbf-7be1-2faf-d026c7a807c9","fileEntryId":"1291431","resourcePrimKey":"1291451","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/KISS-Itasca-blog_0922.png/b9c39fb6-5dbf-7be1-2faf-d026c7a807c9?t=1665082742537","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="gzcgaxig" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Kids Identification and Safety Seat events conclude for the summer but set to return in 2023","name":"KISS-Itasca-blog_0922.png","width":"","description":"Kids Identification and Safety Seat events conclude for the summer but set to return in 2023","title":"KISS-Itasca-blog_0922.png","type":"document","uuid":"b9c39fb6-5dbf-7be1-2faf-d026c7a807c9","fileEntryId":"1291431","resourcePrimKey":"1291451","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/KISS-Itasca-blog_0922.png/b9c39fb6-5dbf-7be1-2faf-d026c7a807c9?t=1665082742537","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="xxnzbzsn" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Kids Identification and Safety Seat events conclude for the summer but set to return in 2023]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="edwhwmat" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="znrldtof" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The final Kids Identification and Safety Seat (K.I.S.S.) event of the year drew parents and their children to Itasca in September, wrapping up the Operation Kid 2022 safety program hosted by the Illinois Tollway and Illinois State Police.</p><p>But the Tollway and Illinois State Police already are looking to expand the popular K.I.S.S. safety program in 2023, which resumed this year following a two-year pause forced by the COVID-19 pandemic.</p><p>“We’re thrilled we could resume this program this year and are pleased that parents and their children came out this summer to take advantage of the free safety seat inspections and to obtain kids’ ID cards,” said Trooper Duane Chappell, who manages the K.I.S.S. program for Illinois State Police District 15. “But we’re already looking ahead to next year with plans to increase the number of events offered across northern Illinois, which will enable more families to participate and take these precautions that will help protect their children.”</p><p>The September 24 event at the Itasca Fire Protection District allowed parents to obtain free ID cards for their young children and have the child safety seats in their vehicles installed or inspected to ensure they are properly placed. This event coincided with Seat Check Saturday, a national initiative that encourages parents to ensure their youngsters are riding in properly installed safety seats, which reduce the risk of death from a crash by up to 70 percent, according to federal statistics.</p><p>Seat Check Saturday concludes Child Passenger Safety Week, a program by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration to promote the use of correctly installed child safety and booster seats to protect infants and children. In 2020, 34 percent of the children killed in car crashes nationwide weren’t restrained, NHTSB figures show. </p><p>While properly installed safety seats reduce the chances of children suffering serious or fatal injuries in crashes, Illinois State Police find that as many as 90 percent of the seats inspected are not correctly installed.</p><p>During the three K.I.S.S. events held this summer, nearly 130 kids’ ID cards were issued to families and more than 50 safety seats were inspected or installed. Next year, preliminary plans are to host at least six K.I.S.S. events.</p><p>Illinois law requires that all children under age 8 must be properly secured in an appropriate child restraint system when riding in a vehicle with family or other caregivers. In addition, as of January 1, 2019, children under age 2 years are required by Illinois law to ride rear-facing, unless the child weighs 40 or more pounds or is 40 or more inches tall, to protect their developing muscles and bones.</p><p>Providing parents with ID cards containing their child’s photo and other specific information, including their height and weight—can help authorities more quickly locate and identify a lost or missing child, Chappell said.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="gowjpxdm" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2022-10-07]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Kids Identification and Safety Seat events conclude for the summer but set to return in 2023
Display date: 2022-10-07
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<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="qkxebalp" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"New Southbound Mile Long Bridge Scheduled to Open to Traffic Next Week on the Tri-State Tollway (I-294)","name":"MileLongBridge-Event-blog_1022.png","width":"","description":"New Southbound Mile Long Bridge Scheduled to Open to Traffic Next Week on the Tri-State Tollway (I-294)","title":"MileLongBridge-Event-blog_1022.png","type":"document","uuid":"d43bdba1-6832-04e9-338f-a5f1cd2a562c","fileEntryId":"1290903","resourcePrimKey":"1290923","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/MileLongBridge-Event-blog_1022.png/d43bdba1-6832-04e9-338f-a5f1cd2a562c?t=1665087101169","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="rfyurfhk" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"","name":"MileLongBridge-Event-blog_1022.png","width":"","description":"","title":"MileLongBridge-Event-blog_1022.png","type":"document","uuid":"d43bdba1-6832-04e9-338f-a5f1cd2a562c","fileEntryId":"1290903","resourcePrimKey":"1290923","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/MileLongBridge-Event-blog_1022.png/d43bdba1-6832-04e9-338f-a5f1cd2a562c?t=1665087101169","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="fcxgbdey" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[New Southbound Mile Long Bridge Scheduled to Open to Traffic Next Week on the Tri-State Tollway (I-294)]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="otzjgmik" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="svbooqsw" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway is preparing to open the new southbound Mile Long Bridge to traffic next week, completing the second phase of the $500 million construction project to deliver the new twin-structure bridge as part of the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Project. <br /> <br />“The reopening of the Mile Long Bridge is a testament to the hard work of the people who made the timely completion of this project a reality,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Replacing outdated bridges throughout the state is a cornerstone of my administration’s infrastructure revitalization goal and I could not be more proud to see this portion of the Move Illinois program come to fruition.”<br /> <br />The Tollway will begin work to open the new bridge to southbound traffic with traffic impacts beginning as early as the evening of Tuesday, October 11, and anticipated four lanes of open on the new bridge before the evening commute on Wednesday, October 12, weather permitting. <br /> <br />"Opening the new southbound Mile Long Bridge structure to traffic is a significant milestone in our work to rebuild and widen the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) between 95th Street and Balmoral Avenue, and is due thanks to the hard work of our contractors, engineers and material providers," said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. "Replacing bridges, including the Mile Long Bridge structures, throughout the 22-mile corridor will allow us to deliver the new and improved roadway on schedule to our customers."</p><p>The Mile Long Bridge Project includes replacement of two side-by-side structures – one to carry northbound traffic and the other to carry southbound traffic – to replace the original bridge built in 1958. </p><p>Work to remove the old northbound structure and construct the new southbound Mile Long Bridge began in spring 2021. Construction of the new northbound bridge structure began in summer 2019 and was completed in fall 2020. The entire Mile Long Bridge Project, including the third phase - removal of the old southbound bridge structure, is scheduled to be complete by the end of 2023.</p><p>The Mile Long Bridge carries traffic over two major railroads, the Des Plaines River, the Chicago Sanitary & Ship Canal and the Illinois & Michigan Canal and local roads, and over several major distribution centers. Currently, up to 150,000 vehicles travel across the Mile Long Bridge daily. </p><p>The construction project includes building two, new side-by-side 4,800-foot-long bridge structures designed to last 100 years and increasing capacity to five lanes in each direction. The inside shoulders in both directions will be built to serve as Flex Lanes for transit, for emergency vehicles and as an alternate lane when warranted. </p><p>Facts about the new southbound Mile Long Bridge:</p><ul><li>The bridge features 27 spans supported by 26 piers, compared to the existing structure with 53 piers, reducing the impact on waterways, roadway and rail operations below.</li><li>The bridge deck is supported by 250 precast concrete beams and 52 steel beams. Steel beams, measure up to 10 feet tall and range in length from 39 feet to 234 feet long were transported from Indiana and concrete beams measure up to 7.5 feet tall and are up to 187 feet long, were transported from Wisconsin.</li><li>Nearly 34,000 cubic yards of concrete were used for the new bridge – an amount equal to more than 3,700 fully-loaded concrete-mixing trucks.</li><li>The bridge deck includes nearly 7 million pounds of steel rebar.</li></ul><p>Additional construction information about the Mile Long Bridge Project is available in the Projects section on the Tollway’s website at www.illinoistollway.com. <br /> <br />The Illinois Tollway is coordinating work on the Mile Long Bridge Project with the Village of Hodgkins, Village of Countryside, Village of Willow Springs, Village of Justice, Cook County, Forest Preserve District of Cook County, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway, Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife, U.S. Coast Guard, Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), IDNR Office of Water Resources and the Illinois Nature Preserve Commission, as well as numerous businesses located near the Mile Long Bridge.<br /> <br />The project is part of the $4 billion Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Project, scheduled for 2018 through 2025, is rebuilding and improving the Tollway from Balmoral Avenue to 95th Street to provide congestion relief, improve mobility, reconstruct old infrastructure to meet current and future transportation demand and to address regional needs. This work is funded by the Illinois Tollway’s 15-year, $14 billion Move Illinois capital program.<br /> </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="gfpfmfsm" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2022-10-05]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
New Southbound Mile Long Bridge Scheduled to Open to Traffic Next Week on the Tri-State Tollway (I-294)
Display date: 2022-10-05
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<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="gwcskykn" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Excavating firm digs into roadway projects with help from Illinois Tollway Technical Assistance Program","name":"Enlight-Deepi-TA-blog_0922.jpg","width":"","description":"Excavating firm digs into roadway projects with help from Illinois Tollway Technical Assistance Program","title":"Enlight-Deepi-TA-blog_0922.jpg","type":"document","uuid":"ecf2094c-82df-1244-ca76-fd5da7b25e08","fileEntryId":"1290432","resourcePrimKey":"1290464","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/Enlight-Deepi-TA-blog_0922.jpg/ecf2094c-82df-1244-ca76-fd5da7b25e08?t=1664815852659","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="vietjiuc" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Excavating firm digs into roadway projects with help from Illinois Tollway Technical Assistance Program","name":"Enlight-Deepi-TA-blog_0922.jpg","width":"","description":"Excavating firm digs into roadway projects with help from Illinois Tollway Technical Assistance Program","title":"Enlight-Deepi-TA-blog_0922.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"117f733e-c85e-2aaf-6aa4-8ca0cebda7d3","fileEntryId":"1290466","resourcePrimKey":"1290464","url":"/documents/924058/1290465/Enlight-Deepi-TA-blog_0922.jpg/117f733e-c85e-2aaf-6aa4-8ca0cebda7d3?t=1664816405949","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="pfynneea" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Excavating firm digs into roadway projects with help from Illinois Tollway Technical Assistance Program]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="bfskdlsk" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="jevsokvl" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Looking for a new career path while working for a large consulting firm, Deepi Ahuja saw an opportunity to take a different road that led her back to her roots in the construction industry.<br />Already an engineer, Ahuja—whose family has owned a construction company for decades--started her own construction business in 2018 to fill a specialized niche: Doing excavating work and installing underground water and sewer lines.</p><p>“I was looking to shift gears and try something different,” Ahuja recalled. “A lot of my background was in construction, so that’s the direction I went. You get to problem solve and then see things come to life—it’s exciting.”</p><p>Four years later, her growing business, Enlight Contracting, is working on a $2.2 million Illinois Tollway contract to install 20-inch diameter water mains under the Mile Long Bridge on the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294). That work, part of a project to provide an emergency water supply to the bridge to deal with roadway incidents, is scheduled to be completed this year.</p><p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vTc-BamDA_k" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p><p>The contract, her third with the Tollway as a prime contractor, is the biggest to date awarded to her firm, which currently is doing work for several other transportation and governmental agencies.<br />Her success, Ahuja said, has been fueled partly by her decision to join the Tollway’s Technical Assistance Program, which is designed to help small, diverse firms like hers gain the knowledge and support needed to better compete for work on agency construction projects. All emerging firms are eligible to join the program, including disadvantaged, minority- and women-owned business enterprises (D/M/WBE) veteran-owned small businesses (VOSB) and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses (SDVOSB).<br /> <br />The program is benefitting her company, Ahuja said, by supporting the business operations she needs to better compete for contracts and market her firm to larger businesses looking to partner with specialized subcontractors.<br /> <br />“The Technical Assistance Program has given me many resources to work with,” Ahuja said. “I’ve utilized their resources for bidding and project management. They’ve also helped me think about the overall structure of my company and how I can expand in marketing myself.”</p><p>After first launching her own firm, Ahuja started slowly, handling one or two projects a year, primarily focusing on excavating, grading and installing water and sewer lines.</p><p>She first joined the Tollway’s Small Business Initiative in 2020, which helps small, diverse firms find opportunities to bid for smaller Tollway contracts. </p><p>Ahuja then stepped into the Tollway’s Technical Assistance Program to obtain additional guidance and advice about growing her business by winning agency construction contracts.<br />“I was impressed with the knowledge they had,” she said. “It’s like hiring a consulting company to work for you for free. It’s been so helpful.”</p><p>She likes that she can go to program staffers with questions or concerns and get quick help.<br />“There were a couple of times where I was close to losing a project due to incomplete bid documents if I hadn’t talked to (them) and asked ‘what do I need to do to make sure everything is completed?’” she said. “That was super helpful.”</p><p>Participants in the Technical Assistance Program also can participate in training seminars to gain new management skills and have experts assess their businesses to offer suggestions on improving their operations, which Ahuja also finds beneficial.</p><p>“You’ll learn a lot about yourself, your company and you’ll learn some new tools to help you succeed,” Ahuja said. “You’ll find more opportunities and resources.”</p><p>While her business is doing well, Ahuja sees even brighter days and bigger projects ahead for her Chicago-based firm, which currently is doing work for several other transportation and government agencies.</p><p>Moving forward, she plans to continue expanding her role as a general contractor while still focusing on excavation and water-and-sewer projects.</p><p>“I want to keep steadily growing, but stay in my niche,” she said. “I definitely want to add more contracts over time and add to my team, without overextending myself.”</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="mutzxexy" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2022-10-03]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Excavating firm digs into roadway projects with help from Illinois Tollway Technical Assistance Program
Display date: 2022-10-03
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<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="chapocut" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":1285798,"groupId":"20184","name":"20220919 KISS Itasca.png","alt":"Illinois Tollway and Illinois State Police Hosting Kids Identification and Safety Seat Event in Itasca as Part of Operation Kid 2022","title":"20220919 KISS Itasca.png","type":"document","uuid":"5f173515-cfe5-2adb-0bef-582362d20b04","fileEntryId":"1285798","resourcePrimKey":"1286118"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="ritkbjzq" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":1285798,"groupId":"20184","name":"20220919 KISS Itasca.png","alt":"Illinois Tollway and Illinois State Police Hosting Kids Identification and Safety Seat Event in Itasca as Part of Operation Kid 2022","title":"20220919 KISS Itasca.png","type":"document","uuid":"5f173515-cfe5-2adb-0bef-582362d20b04","fileEntryId":"1285798","resourcePrimKey":"1286118"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="qhxxmbjw" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway and Illinois State Police Hosting Kids Identification and Safety Seat Event in Itasca as Part of Operation Kid 2022]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="xcljjyun" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="iwzujjtx" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Wrapping up Operation Kid 2022, the Illinois Tollway and Illinois State Police District 15 are hosting a final Kids Identification and Safety Seat (K.I.S.S.) event on Saturday, September 24, at the Itasca Fire Protection District in Itasca.</p><p>The K.I.S.S. event coincides with Seat Check Saturday, a national campaign promoted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to encourage the proper use of child safety seats to help prevent deaths and injuries in vehicle crashes.</p><p>The Tollway and District 15 have worked together to promote child safety for more than 15 years, holding popular events annually throughout Northern Illinois to inspect and properly install child safety seats and provide free kids’ ID cards. In 2019, Operation Kid helped families and caregivers with about 375 child safety seats checks and issued more than 850 kids’ ID cards to parents.</p><p>The events were paused in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic but resumed in June with the Tollway and ISP District 15 hosting monthly events across the Chicago area this summer.</p><p>The September 24 event will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Itasca Fire Protection District, 520 W. Irving Park Road, Itasca.</p><p>“We encourage families to come out to this event to get their child safety seats checked and pick up ID cards for their kids,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. “Safety is our top priority and Operation Kid allows us to help parents and caregivers keep kids safe, every trip, every time.”</p><p>Illinois law requires all children under age 8 to be properly secured in an appropriate child restraint system when riding in a vehicle with family or other caregivers. In addition, as of January 1, 2019, children under age 2 years are required by Illinois law to ride rear-facing, unless the child weighs 40 or more pounds or is 40 or more inches tall, to protect their developing muscles and bones.<br /> <br />Properly installed child safety seats save lives and significantly reduce injuries in the event of a crash. Yet, Illinois State Police find that as many as 90 percent of child safety seats they inspect are improperly installed. <br /> <br />“We want to do everything we can to help parents protect their children and this event provides a quick, convenient way for parents to determine if the safety seats they rely on are properly installed,”<br />said Captain Jason Bradley, District 15 commander. “K.I.S.S. events also give us an opportunity to educate drivers about the importance of complying with Illinois’ safety seat laws.”<br /> <br /><strong>2022 K.I.S.S. Events</strong><br />To make it easy and fun for parents, grandparents and children alike, K.I.S.S. events are held at convenient locations at various locations along the 294-mile Illinois Tollway system. </p><p>Highlights at the September 24 event at the Itasca Fire Protection District include: </p><ul><li>Free identification cards for children ages 3 and older and child safety seat inspections and installations. Information provided on kids’ ID cards, including a child’s height, weight and fingerprints, can help law enforcement more quickly locate and recover a missing child.</li><li>Touch-a-truck display featuring hands-on exploration of a Tollway H.E.L.P. truck, snowplow and local emergency vehicles.</li><li>Trooper Cooper, a talking, child-sized Illinois State Police car that offers simple safety tips to toddlers and young children</li></ul><p> <br />For more information about Operation Kid 2022 and to see additional activities at each event, visit the Tollway’s website. <br /> <br /><strong>About the Illinois Tollway</strong><br />The Illinois Tollway is a user-fee system that receives no state or federal funds for maintenance and operations. The agency maintains and operates 294 miles of roadways in 12 counties in Northern Illinois, including the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355), the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80) and the Illinois Route 390 Tollway.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="yaesxara" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2022-09-19]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway and Illinois State Police Hosting Kids Identification and Safety Seat Event in Itasca as Part of Operation Kid 2022
Display date: 2022-09-19
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<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="kovmiwya" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"New I-294 I-57 Interchange steering more development jobs to Chicago Southland","name":"20220906 294-57.png","width":"","description":"New I-294 I-57 Interchange steering more development jobs to Chicago Southland","title":"20220906 294-57.png","type":"document","uuid":"100374f0-eb79-0028-33d9-299cd4601c97","fileEntryId":"1281732","resourcePrimKey":"1281752","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/20220906%20294-57.png/100374f0-eb79-0028-33d9-299cd4601c97?t=1662500683853","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="nfznknzf" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"New I-294 I-57 Interchange steering more development jobs to Chicago Southland","name":"20220906 294-57.png","width":"","description":"New I-294 I-57 Interchange steering more development jobs to Chicago Southland","title":"20220906 294-57.png","type":"document","uuid":"100374f0-eb79-0028-33d9-299cd4601c97","fileEntryId":"1281732","resourcePrimKey":"1281752","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/20220906%20294-57.png/100374f0-eb79-0028-33d9-299cd4601c97?t=1662500683853","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="ovpmtyqa" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[New I-294/I-57 Interchange steering more development, jobs to Chicago Southland]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="damyusjl" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="rsvfnxdn" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The final segment of the new I-294/I-57 Interchange has yet to open but it’s already helped steer millions of square feet of new commercial development to the Chicago Southland communities around it, which in turn have generated thousands of new jobs in the region.<br /> <br />New warehouses, logistics centers and manufacturing firms—an estimated 15 million square feet of new commercial space--began popping up following the 2014 opening of the first phase of the interchange project and in anticipation of the planned September opening of the second phase, which will provide the final connections linking the Tri-State Tollway (I-294) with I-57.<br /> <br />Completing this project is another example of the success that comes with investing in infrastructure, which assists local communities and the region by improving mobility, linking economies and creating jobs—three pillars of the Illinois Tollway’s 15-year, $14-billion Move Illinois program.<br /> <br />And that’s just the beginning. <br /> <br />With the new, full interchange allowing easy access in all directions for passenger and commercial vehicles, economic development officials expect more businesses will build or relocate to facilities in the area, creating still more jobs in the Chicago Southland.<br /> <br />“There’s new development occurring all through the region because of the rail and road assets, which have been enhanced by construction of this interchange. We expect this trend will continue into the future because transportation assets are so important to businesses now,” said Reggie Greenwood, executive director of the Chicago Southland Economic Development Corporation, which works with businesses and local governments to foster economic growth.<br /> <br />For decades, I-294 and I-57 crossed each other in the Chicago Southland but did not connect, limiting access to some communities, stalling job creation and economic development by making it more difficult and time-consuming for commercial vehicles to use the regional road network to transport materials and products.<br /> <br />That changed in 2014 when the Illinois Tollway completed Phase 1 of the $719 million I-294/I-57 Project, opening a partial interchange that connected access from northbound I-57 to northbound I-294 and southbound I-294 to southbound I-57, including new ramps connecting I-294 to 147th Street.<br /> <br />Opening in September, the second phase of the project adds four new ramps to complete the interchange, connecting southbound I-57 to northbound I-294, southbound I-294 to northbound I-57 and northbound I-294 to northbound I-57. The new connections also include a half-mile-long flyover ramp bridge carrying traffic from southbound I-57 to southbound I-294 and from 147th Street to southbound I-57. <br /> <br />Following the completion of the first phase, logistics and transportation businesses began to look at building in the nearby communities—and the area has boomed in the last 3 to 4 years, Greenwood said, noting that Amazon alone in that time has opened four new facilities in Markham, Matteson, Monee and University Park that cover more than 12 million square feet of space.<br /> <br />“It’s already had job and economic impacts. Right now the area around I-294/I-57 is booming,” Greenwood said of the new interchange. “Amazon certainly took into account the interchange as they made their decisions to locate here.”<br /> <br />In Markham, one of the communities closest to the interchange, Amazon invested an estimated $500 million in building a 4-million-square-foot warehouse, creating about 3,000 new jobs.<br /> <br />More development is certain to occur in the area, with planned projects valued at more than $215 million expected this year and next year in Harvey and Country Club Hills. That development is projected to add nearly 3 million square feet of commercial space.<br /> <br />“There’s more development coming in multiple places,” Greenwood said, citing ongoing projects in Tinley Park, Monee and other areas near the interchange that are expected to add more than 2 million square feet of commercial space.<br /> <br />Large parcels of industrial land totaling more than 700 acres in the area are under contract for new developments, Greenwood noted, saying manufacturing companies are among the business building or relocating to the area, at least partly because of its improved transportation links.<br /> <br />“Manufacturing will be part of this,” Greenwood said. “Manufacturing companies are also logistics companies and in the new world of e-commerce and delivery, logistics are more important than they used to be. So this (interchange) project is providing more opportunity to re-engage with the world.”<br /> <br />Encouraging economic development and creating new jobs by building better access to the Tollway system is a key factor in planning construction that will be done by the Tollway<br /> <br />“This project, along with the other work we’re doing in this area, is the conduit to help this development occur,” said Illinois Tollway Planning Chief Rocco Zucchero. “We’re excited about finishing this project because we’re helping create jobs for people who live in this area.”<br /> </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="lnjxwytx" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2022-09-06]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
New I-294 I-57 Interchange steering more development jobs to Chicago Southland
Display date: 2022-09-06
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="tyatluom" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Prepared for Labor Day Holiday Weekend Travel","name":"LaborDay-0569-38-blog_0922.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway Prepared for Labor Day Holiday Weekend Travel","title":"LaborDay-0569-38-blog_0922.png","type":"document","uuid":"c81ce887-cb8d-d7f2-11f7-3d430c6242a5","fileEntryId":"1279918","resourcePrimKey":"1279938","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/LaborDay-0569-38-blog_0922.png/c81ce887-cb8d-d7f2-11f7-3d430c6242a5?t=1662136952027","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="jdufzvhf" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Prepared for Labor Day Holiday Weekend Travel","name":"LaborDay-0569-38-blog_0922.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway Prepared for Labor Day Holiday Weekend Travel","title":"LaborDay-0569-38-blog_0922.png","type":"document","uuid":"c81ce887-cb8d-d7f2-11f7-3d430c6242a5","fileEntryId":"1279918","resourcePrimKey":"1279938","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/LaborDay-0569-38-blog_0922.png/c81ce887-cb8d-d7f2-11f7-3d430c6242a5?t=1662136952027","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="pspwrbla" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Prepared for Labor Day Holiday Weekend Travel]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="wwferaxr" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="flqrhror" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway is encouraging drivers traveling over the Labor Day holiday weekend to slow down, be courteous to other motorists and make safety their No. 1 priority when they take to the road so they can safely reach their destinations.</p><p>Nearly 7.7 million vehicles are anticipated to travel on the 294-mile Illinois Tollway system from Friday, September 2, through Tuesday, September 6. The heaviest traffic is anticipated on Friday, when more than 1.8 million vehicles are expected on the roads. On an average day, about 1.6 million vehicles use the Tollway.<br /> <br />Speed will be a primary focus for Illinois State Police District 15 patrols on the Illinois Tollway as it continues to be a primary factor contributing to traffic crashes. Troopers will patrol Illinois roadways over the extended Labor Day holiday weekend, watching for this Fatal Four violation and all violations of the Illinois Vehicle Code in order to help reduce traffic fatalities and injuries. Speeding, distracted driving, driving under the influence and not wearing seat belts, the Fatal Four, are the four primary causes of fatal traffic crashes in Illinois. </p><p>“As the traffic volume increases over this upcoming holiday weekend, we’ve asked our District 15 troopers to focus their enforcement efforts on unsafe driving,” said Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. “We’re urging drivers to protect themselves, their family members and other drivers by always putting safety first and by being courteous to other motorists. Working together, we can make this Labor Day holiday a safe one on our roads.”</p><p>In Illinois during 2020, 460 fatalities were attributed to speed in Illinois, according to Illinois’ most recent statistics. This accounted for 38.5 percent of all fatalities. Speed also accounted for 32.6 percent in total injuries in 2020. These lives can be easily saved by being aware of our speed and understanding how speeding impacts a crash.<br /> <br />The Illinois Tollway and Illinois State Police District 15 would also like to remind drivers to slow down and be attentive when driving in construction work zone. Work zone speed limits are in effect in all construction zones 24/7 and drivers should continue to watch for changing traffic patterns and use caution, especially when workers are present. As construction is continuing throughout the fall, remember to stay focused, slow down and watch for changes in traffic patterns in place to provide safe access for drivers in work zones.<br /> <br /><strong>Prepare for construction work zones</strong> <br />The Illinois Tollway will suspend most temporary maintenance and construction lane closures from noon on Friday, September 2, through 9 a.m. on Tuesday, September 6. However, construction may continue in existing work zones to keep work on schedule for ongoing Illinois Tollway construction projects. </p><p>Tollway drivers can expect to see ongoing work: </p><ul><li>On I-94, traffic in both directions between Half Day Road and Atkinson Road is shifted.</li><li>On I-294 between the O’Hare Oasis and 95th Street, traffic is shifted in both directions. Counterflow lanes are in place throughout the Central Tri-State corridor. Watch for signage indicating changing traffic patterns. </li><li>On I-294, the ramp from eastbound Archer Avenue to southbound I-294 is closed and a detour is posted.</li><li>On I-294, the ramps from northbound I-294 to Wolf Rd and southbound I-55 are closed and detours are posted.</li></ul><p><strong>Remember to bring an I-PASS, E-ZPass or go online to Pay By Plate</strong> <br />While I-PASS or E-ZPass are still the best, most cost-effective way to pay tolls on the Illinois Tollway and in 18 other states with toll roads and bridges, customers also can use the online Pay By Plate service to make sure tolls are paid in Illinois. Illinois Tollway customers have 14 days from the date of their unpaid tolls to set up our Pay By Plate service to ensure avoiding fines and fees.</p><p><strong>Call for roadside assistance if needed </strong><br />Call *999 to get help from Tollway roadway maintenance crews or from Illinois State Police District 15 who patrol the Tollway system 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Motorist aid patrols stand ready to help stranded customers change tires, jump-start batteries, add coolant, dispense fuel, transport customers, move vehicles away from traffic and call for a tow truck. </p><p><strong>About the Illinois Tollway</strong><br />The Illinois Tollway is a user-fee system that receives no state or federal funds for maintenance and operations. The agency maintains and operates 294 miles of roadways in 12 counties in Northern Illinois, including the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355), the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80) and the Illinois Route 390 Tollway.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="wxsmxcis" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2022-09-02]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Prepared for Labor Day Holiday Weekend Travel
Display date: 2022-09-02
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<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="zmjzgktu" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Work pours in after concrete cutting firm joins Illinois Tollways Technical Assistance Program","name":"202208 Allstate Concrete.png","width":"","description":"Work pours in after concrete cutting firm joins Illinois Tollways Technical Assistance Program","title":"202208 Allstate Concrete.png","type":"document","uuid":"392b1644-ec59-e353-a330-9b967db6774f","fileEntryId":"1279472","resourcePrimKey":"1279492","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/202208%20Allstate%20Concrete.png/392b1644-ec59-e353-a330-9b967db6774f?t=1662059761824","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="sptyhtwb" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Work pours in after concrete cutting firm joins Illinois Tollways Technical Assistance Program","name":"202208 Allstate Concrete.png","width":"","description":"Work pours in after concrete cutting firm joins Illinois Tollways Technical Assistance Program","title":"202208 Allstate Concrete.png","type":"document","uuid":"392b1644-ec59-e353-a330-9b967db6774f","fileEntryId":"1279472","resourcePrimKey":"1279492","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/202208%20Allstate%20Concrete.png/392b1644-ec59-e353-a330-9b967db6774f?t=1662059761824","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="wyldanrv" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Work pours in after concrete cutting firm joins Illinois Tollway’s Technical Assistance Program]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="ndhovjyh" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="zaircnun" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>When he started Allstate Concrete Cutting more than 10 years ago, Mike Seay operated out of a cramped, 3,500-square-foot shop and relied on a workforce of about 8 employees, who primarily removed old concrete from roads and bridges so they could be rebuilt or replaced.</p><p>This year, he’s employing about 45 workers who are involved in a number of projects on the Illinois Tollway system, including removing old concrete on a portion of the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294), taking down the Hinsdale Oasis pavilion and sealing new asphalt being laid on a six-mile stretch of I-94 in Lake County.</p><p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VFLiWhWvu2Q" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p><p>His company, which also working on projects outside of the transportation industry, recently moved into a 10,000-square-foot headquarters--although Seay already is considering another move to a bigger building to house his growing company.</p><p>“Little by little, I’ve grown,” said Seay, the president and chief executive officer of the firm, now headquartered in Elk Grove Village. “And this year, with these bigger jobs, I’ve really taken off.”</p><p>Part of his success, he said, is a result of his decision in 2017 to join the Tollway’s Technical Assistance Program, which is designed to help small, diverse firms like his gain the knowledge and support needed to better compete for work on agency construction projects. All emerging firms are eligible to join the program, including disadvantaged, minority- and women-owned business enterprises (D/M/WBE) veteran-owned small businesses (VOSB) and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses (SDVOSB).</p><p>The program helped Seay, who is Polynesian-American, by giving him a better understanding of the business operations he needed to master so his firm could take on larger projects.</p><p>“The Technical Assistance (Program) has really grown me tenfold in the last 3 or 4 years,” Seay said. “The back office support I get helped me on my bidding process tremendously. The tech support has been huge in backing me.”</p><p>That assistance with the business side of his operation, he said, allows him to concentrate on what he does best.</p><p>“I can focus 100 percent on the roadwork,” Seay said. “That’s all I do.”</p><p>As his business expands, Seay said when he runs into new issues to resolve, he still can obtain advice and guidance from the service providers in the program.</p><p>“The more I grow, the more I depend on the Technical Assistance (Program) for answers for the growth I’m going through,” he said. “I constantly use Technical Assistance to help me grow and go forward.”</p><p>He’s started to expand his business beyond concrete cutting and removal, working this year as a subcontractor on a $900,000 contract to seal the joints on newly paved asphalt on I-94 in Lake County. </p><p>“I wanted to diversify a little bit,” Seay said. </p><p>He worked to develop a new method of applying the sealant, which adds years of life to the roadway, and said he received significant support and encouragement from his Technical Assistance service provider as well as some customers, including Plote Construction and Walsh Construction.</p><p>“Without the Technical Assistance Program, I would’ve never been able to get such a high-profile job and then do the work in a timely fashion,” Seay noted.</p><p>He’s already looking ahead to expanding that side of his business “so I can take on all of the Tollway work.”</p><p>Down the road, he’d like to grow his business to the point where he can serve as a prime contractor on a project—preferably a Tollway project.</p><p>“That’s my goal, to get to the point where I can take on a project and bid it from start to finish, do all of it,” he said.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="qkekezxq" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2022-09-02]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Work pours in after concrete cutting firm joins Illinois Tollways Technical Assistance Program
Display date: 2022-09-02
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="gzctxgcz" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Finds a Place at Rail Industry Conference","name":"2022 09 Arema Manar.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway Finds a Place at Rail Industry Conference","title":"2022 09 Arema Manar.png","type":"document","uuid":"f80a1b26-0783-0944-1798-5a8b5ff8ace9","fileEntryId":"1279420","resourcePrimKey":"1279440","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/2022%2009%20Arema%20Manar.png/f80a1b26-0783-0944-1798-5a8b5ff8ace9?t=1662046208074","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="zvsejxdr" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Finds a Place at Rail Industry Conference","name":"2022 09 Arema Manar.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway Finds a Place at Rail Industry Conference","title":"2022 09 Arema Manar.png","type":"document","uuid":"f80a1b26-0783-0944-1798-5a8b5ff8ace9","fileEntryId":"1279420","resourcePrimKey":"1279440","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/2022%2009%20Arema%20Manar.png/f80a1b26-0783-0944-1798-5a8b5ff8ace9?t=1662046208074","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="cuqsdszm" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Finds a Place at Rail Industry Conference]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="uwaxeeae" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="hxuenzxr" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway typically stays in its lane when talking about ongoing construction projects. </p><p>But the opportunity to do a joint presentation with two of the nation’s largest railroads at one of the biggest rail industry conferences was just the ticket to spotlight the Tollway’s cooperation with railroads to keep the I-490 Tollway Project on track.</p><p>The American Railway Engineering and Maintenance of Way Association’s 2022 Conference & Expo offers railway engineering professionals the opportunity to increase their railroad knowledge and technical expertise. It features prominent speakers from the railroad business and presentations on innovations and technologies unique to rail industry infrastructure.</p><p>This year, AREMA invited the Illinois Tollway to showcase how it’s working in coordination with the Union Pacific Railroad and Canadian Pacific Railway to move forward with the I-490 Tollway Project. These efforts require all parties to recognize the importance and value the others bring to the table in improving one of the nation’s most important transportation hubs. </p><p>The I-490 Tollway, coupled with the Illinois Route 390 Tollway, is designated a “Project of National and Regional Significance” by federal transportation legislation. The new I-490 Tollway will carry north-south traffic around the western border of O’Hare and provide access to the airport. </p><p>It will also connect businesses and communities with area transit facilities, freight transportation hubs such as the Bensenville Intermodal Terminal and multiple interstate highways include the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) and the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294). </p><p>The construction of a new roadway requires extensive coordination between the Tollway and the railroads, with everyone working together to solve complex challenges to improve the movement of people and freight throughout the region. In the end, the benefits of these coordinated efforts will further enhance the reputation of Illinois as the nation’s premier transportation hub. </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="riefjzoz" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2022-09-01]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Finds a Place at Rail Industry Conference
Display date: 2022-09-01
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<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="eossucoz" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"APWA Awards its Technical Innovation Award to Illinois Tollway","name":"2022 0829 APWA.png","width":"","description":"APWA Awards its Technical Innovation Award to Illinois Tollway","title":"2022 0829 APWA.png","type":"document","uuid":"095099d2-f3e6-4fb6-3937-2e66b0c29372","fileEntryId":"1278634","resourcePrimKey":"1278654","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/2022%200829%20APWA.png/095099d2-f3e6-4fb6-3937-2e66b0c29372?t=1661783954341","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="yclpuknu" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"APWA Awards its Technical Innovation Award to Illinois Tollway","name":"2022 0829 APWA.png","width":"","description":"APWA Awards its Technical Innovation Award to Illinois Tollway","title":"2022 0829 APWA.png","type":"document","uuid":"095099d2-f3e6-4fb6-3937-2e66b0c29372","fileEntryId":"1278634","resourcePrimKey":"1278654","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/2022%200829%20APWA.png/095099d2-f3e6-4fb6-3937-2e66b0c29372?t=1661783954341","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="wwupktks" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[APWA Awards its Technical Innovation Award to Illinois Tollway]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="jotqmziw" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="nprmpyjy" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway’s Roadway Maintenance team received the American Public Works Association 2022 Technical Innovation Award in August for its TIMS2GO Mobile Incident Response Tool. </p><p>TIMS2GO was highlighted among this year’s APWA Award winners in the August issue of the <a target="_blank" href="https://apwa.partica.online/reporter/august-2022/flipbook/38/">APWA Reporter magazine</a>. </p><p>The Technical Innovation Award recognizes the development, management and implementation of a creative idea, program, process or system that enhances the delivery of public works services to the public. </p><p>The Tollway achieved the highest score among all submissions for the Technical Innovation Award and TIMS2GO was the “clear winner,” according to APWA. </p><p>TIMS2GO is a unique mobile application that puts all the ITS resources of the Illinois Tollway’s Traffic Operations Center, including its Traffic and Incident Management System (TIMS), in the palms of the hands of traffic managers. It gives traffic managers the ability to gather real-time incident information and direct the appropriate resources to respond anytime from anywhere using any smartphone, tablet or laptop. </p><p>A demonstration of TIMS2GO can be seen <a target="_blank" href="https://youtu.be/_k1vBtbUvzY">here</a>.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="guylunds" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2022-08-29]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
APWA Awards its Technical Innovation Award to Illinois Tollway
Display date: 2022-08-29
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<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="nlbhaetu" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Braving Intense Flames Tollway Maintenance Worker Rescues Woman from Burning Vehicle","name":"20220824 HELP.png","width":"","description":"Braving Intense Flames Tollway Maintenance Worker Rescues Woman from Burning Vehicle","title":"20220824 HELP.png","type":"document","uuid":"d0f78f71-c4c3-4f7a-e7ea-ef31efcf64c2","fileEntryId":"1277764","resourcePrimKey":"1277784","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/20220824%20HELP.png/d0f78f71-c4c3-4f7a-e7ea-ef31efcf64c2?t=1661433285037","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="tsebywjx" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Braving Intense Flames Tollway Maintenance Worker Rescues Woman from Burning Vehicle","name":"20220824 HELP.png","width":"","description":"Braving Intense Flames Tollway Maintenance Worker Rescues Woman from Burning Vehicle","title":"20220824 HELP.png","type":"document","uuid":"d0f78f71-c4c3-4f7a-e7ea-ef31efcf64c2","fileEntryId":"1277764","resourcePrimKey":"1277784","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/20220824%20HELP.png/d0f78f71-c4c3-4f7a-e7ea-ef31efcf64c2?t=1661433285037","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="bomummog" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Braving Intense Flames, Tollway Maintenance Worker Rescues Woman from Burning Vehicle]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="ntfdykej" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="sifviybc" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>When Illinois Tollway road worker Keith Olson reached the crash on the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355), he faced a chaotic scene that included an SUV flipped on its side and a crumpled convertible with flames six feet high shooting from its hood. A third heavily damaged vehicle sat nearby.</p><p> </p><p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KH659575GKo" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p><p> </p><p>“It was a bad one,” said Olson, who was the first emergency responder to reach the July 22 crash near Roosevelt Road. “I had a car on fire on the right shoulder, and it was spun around so it was pointing northbound in the southbound lanes.”</p><p>He quickly radioed for assistance, then jumped out of his truck to ensure no one was still inside the burning convertible, which had its top down and appeared to be empty as he approached.</p><p>But when he reached the car he saw a woman sprawled unconscious across the front seats, just feet from the intense flames charring the front of the vehicle.</p><p>Olson, a Tollway equipment operator/laborer for the past 11 years, reacted instantly, reaching into the car to try to grab the woman.</p><p>He was unsuccessful, though, quickly driven back by the intensity of the fire.</p><p>“I got kicked out by the flames,” Olson recounted. “The car was going, it was getting hotter.”</p><p>Olson tried again, briefly managing to grab one of the woman’s arms before she slipped from his grasp as heat from the fire radiated toward him over the windshield.</p><p>He didn’t quit, knowing he had little time left to rescue the woman before the car was completely engulfed by the fire.</p><p>“I said it was either now or she was going to die from it,” Olson said, recalling that as he made his third attempt to reach her he leaned so far into the car he was almost balanced on the doorframe with his feet barely touching the pavement.</p><p>That may have been the difference.</p><p>“I was able to grab her arm and I started pulling on her and all of a sudden her other arm came up and I grabbed both of her arms,” Olson said. “I pulled her over the top of the door and pulled her out of the car.”</p><p>He managed to move her about 10 feet from the blazing vehicle, then two motorists helped him carry her a safer distance away. The first ambulance arrived on the scene just as they finished moving the woman.</p><p>But his work still wasn’t done.</p><p>Olson moved to check the other two damaged vehicles and discovered two people injured in the front seat of one of them.</p><p>As Olson updated dispatchers on the hectic situation, fire trucks, Illinois State Police District 15 vehicles and additional Tollway maintenance trucks continued arriving to extinguish the fire and assist with the injured.</p><p>The convertible was destroyed by the flames, providing a chilling reminder to Olson of what likely would’ve happened if he hadn’t arrived at the crash scene when he did.</p><p>“If I would’ve been maybe 5 minutes later, this all would’ve went negative. That’s how close it was,” he said.</p><p>Thanks to his rapid response, the woman survived the crash, as did both occupants in the second damaged vehicle. Olson sustained no injuries.</p><p>Though he acknowledged being scared, it never occurred to him to stop trying to rescue her, despite the danger he faced.</p><p>“To me, it was trying to handle the situation at the time,” he recalled. “It’s something that you’re either going to get involved in or you’re going to stand back on. I got involved.”</p><p>Looking back, he said he’s satisfied that he simply reacted in the way he’d been trained to handle a stressful, dangerous situation.</p><p>Tollway leaders see it differently, saying Olson displayed outstanding courage and dedication in a life-threatening situation.</p><p>“Our team understands that our mission is to do everything we can to keep our roads and customers safe, but we don’t expect our workers to risk their lives rescuing drivers from burning vehicles,” said Darrion Robinson, Chief of Maintenance and Traffic. “The bravery and determination Keith displayed in this situation go far above and beyond what we expect. We’re so proud to have him on our team.”</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="xwnfpetk" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2022-08-25]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Braving Intense Flames Tollway Maintenance Worker Rescues Woman from Burning Vehicle
Display date: 2022-08-25
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<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="aegfjvwu" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Shares Experience Building a Successful Mentorship Program with American Contract Compliance Association Members","name":"2022 ACCA Terry Miller (1).png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway Shares Experience Building a Successful Mentorship Program with American Contract Compliance Association Members","title":"2022 ACCA Terry Miller (1).png","type":"document","uuid":"30b64d9b-7efb-eb05-5c1d-2beae2a8f733","fileEntryId":"1277458","resourcePrimKey":"1277478","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/2022%20ACCA%20Terry%20Miller%20%281%29.png/30b64d9b-7efb-eb05-5c1d-2beae2a8f733?t=1661348708902","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="nfzbuebf" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Shares Experience Building a Successful Mentorship Program with American Contract Compliance Association Members","name":"2022 ACCA Terry Miller (1).png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway Shares Experience Building a Successful Mentorship Program with American Contract Compliance Association Members","title":"2022 ACCA Terry Miller (1).png","type":"document","uuid":"30b64d9b-7efb-eb05-5c1d-2beae2a8f733","fileEntryId":"1277458","resourcePrimKey":"1277478","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/2022%20ACCA%20Terry%20Miller%20%281%29.png/30b64d9b-7efb-eb05-5c1d-2beae2a8f733?t=1661348708902","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="ptglxvsg" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Shares Experience Building a Successful Mentorship Program with American Contract Compliance Association Members]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="qisnzqbg" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="nsikwtwi" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway welcomed an invitation from the American Contract Compliance Association (ACCA) to showcase its Partnering For Growth Program at this year’s National Training Institute in North Carolina. <br /> <br />ACCA is committed to empowering professionals in their fields of expertise and ensuring equitable employment and contracting practices within the public and private sectors. <br /> <br />During the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.accaweb.org/events-nti/">2022 American Contract Compliance Association National Training Institute</a>, Tollway Chief of Diversity and Strategic Development Terry Miller shared the agency’s insights and experiences in building a successful mentorship program that supports firms of all types and sizes.<br /> <br />During the “Successful Mentor-Protégé Programs” workshop, Miller detailed the Tollway’s Partnering for Growth Program, its benefits and how it has continued to evolve over time to create greater opportunities for small and diverse firms do pursue contract opportunities with the Tollway. <br /> <br />Nearly 215 mentoring agreements have been put in place since the program started. While the majority of agreements include prime firms mentoring subs, in some cases reverse Partnering For Growth agreements have subs stepping up to assist the prime firms. In 2022, the Tollway has put in place more than 20 agreements connected to professional engineering services contracts as well as construction contracts.<br /> <br />Partnering for Growth encourages prime consultants and contractors to assist disadvantaged, minority- and women-owned enterprise firms and veteran-owned small businesses in remaining self-sufficient, competitive and profitable businesses. <br /> <br />Visit the Tollway website for more information on <a target="_blank" href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/doing-business/diversity-development/programs/partnering-for-growth">Partnering for Growth</a>. <br /> </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="iqpgflfe" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2022-08-24]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Shares Experience Building a Successful Mentorship Program with American Contract Compliance Association Members
Display date: 2022-08-24
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<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="carhwpkl" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois State Police District 15 Rises to the Traffic Safety Challenge ","name":"2022 Traffic Safety Challenge.png","width":"","description":"Illinois State Police District 15 Rises to the Traffic Safety Challenge ","title":"2022 Traffic Safety Challenge.png","type":"document","uuid":"b3121390-fa9d-6572-a230-bc58f33adec3","fileEntryId":"1276692","resourcePrimKey":"1276712","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/2022%20Traffic%20Safety%20Challenge.png/b3121390-fa9d-6572-a230-bc58f33adec3?t=1661199167360","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="vskpqeuu" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois State Police District 15 Rises to the Traffic Safety Challenge ","name":"2022 Traffic Safety Challenge.png","width":"","description":"Illinois State Police District 15 Rises to the Traffic Safety Challenge ","title":"2022 Traffic Safety Challenge.png","type":"document","uuid":"b3121390-fa9d-6572-a230-bc58f33adec3","fileEntryId":"1276692","resourcePrimKey":"1276712","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/2022%20Traffic%20Safety%20Challenge.png/b3121390-fa9d-6572-a230-bc58f33adec3?t=1661199167360","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="opviuyrw" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois State Police District 15 Rises to the Traffic Safety Challenge]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="vuatrfgs" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="cdaylyqz" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Traffic Safety Challenge is a friendly competition among Illinois law enforcement agencies to annually highlight the great work they’re doing in their communities to successfully identify traffic issues and implement strategies to reduce crashes and related deaths and injuries. <br /> <br />It’s also a chance to compete for bragging rights. <br /> <br />Illinois State Police District 15, the district that patrols the Illinois Tollway system, can boast it is one of the top law enforcement agencies in the state in 2022. <br /> <br />District 15 took home several awards from this year’s Traffic Safety Challenge Awards Breakfast, including top honors for Commercial Motor Vehicle Enforcement and third in the Championship Class, which pits all 11 first-place winners from last year’s challenge against one another. <br /> <br />The Commercial Motor Vehicle Enforcement Award recognizes agencies for their comprehensive education and enforcement programs for commercial vehicles, including efforts to promote and enforce occupant-protection laws. <br /> <br />District 15 has a unit solely dedicated to commercial vehicle safety. Its Truck Task Force is responsible for enforcing all traffic laws related to commercial vehicles, such as overweight and overheight trucks. It also provides safe passage for equipment and materials used on Tollway construction projects – such as bridge beam movements for the Mile Long Bridge Project on the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294). <br /> <br />In addition, the Truck Task Force offers safety education events for trucking industry professionals, truck operators, utilities and large private transportation firms to discuss motor-carrier regulations and conduct mock inspections. <br /> <br />There also were some individual honors this year. </p><p>District 15 Sgt. Chad Martinez and Trooper Elgardo Bonano together received the Looking Beyond the Belt Award. This award recognizes officers whose observations during a safety belt or child safety seat violation traffic stop also result in the discovery of evidence of a crime or apprehension of a criminal.<br /> <br />In May 2021, Sgt. Martinez and Trooper Bonano observed a vehicle following too closely to another vehicle while on the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) in Boone County and the passenger was not wearing a seatbelt. <br /> <br />After conducting a traffic stop, a probable-cause search of the vehicle was conducted, and Sgt. Martinez found 513 grams of cocaine, 469 grams of methamphetamine, 116 grams of oxycodone pills and 16 grams of cannabis. Both occupants were charged a total of 12 felonies, four counts each of Unlawful Possession of Cocaine, Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine and Unlawful Possession of Oxycodone. </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="eioyoyiw" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2022-08-22]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois State Police District 15 Rises to the Traffic Safety Challenge
Display date: 2022-08-22
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<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="pkjseofk" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway and Illinois State Police Hosing Kids Identification and Safety Seat Event in Oak Lawn as Part of Operation Kid 2022","name":"2022 Safety Seat.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway and Illinois State Police Hosing Kids Identification and Safety Seat Event in Oak Lawn as Part of Operation Kid 2022","title":"2022 Safety Seat.png","type":"document","uuid":"c93ae341-3d91-7888-ee30-69dff5602b64","fileEntryId":"1276543","resourcePrimKey":"1276563","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/2022%20Safety%20Seat.png/c93ae341-3d91-7888-ee30-69dff5602b64?t=1661193680588","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="ihybmpzh" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway and Illinois State Police Hosing Kids Identification and Safety Seat Event in Oak Lawn as Part of Operation Kid 2022","name":"2022 Safety Seat.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway and Illinois State Police Hosing Kids Identification and Safety Seat Event in Oak Lawn as Part of Operation Kid 2022","title":"2022 Safety Seat.png","type":"document","uuid":"c93ae341-3d91-7888-ee30-69dff5602b64","fileEntryId":"1276543","resourcePrimKey":"1276563","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/2022%20Safety%20Seat.png/c93ae341-3d91-7888-ee30-69dff5602b64?t=1661193680588","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="hmcctgqu" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway and Illinois State Police Hosing Kids Identification and Safety Seat Event in Oak Lawn as Part of Operation Kid 2022]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="eojgacsh" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="xbzlmjst" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Continuing Operation Kid 2022, the Illinois Tollway and Illinois State Police District 15 are hosting a Kids Identification and Safety Seat (K.I.S.S.) event on Saturday, August 27, at the Children’s Museum in Oak Lawn.<br /> <br />The Tollway and District 15 have worked together to promote child safety for more than 15 years, holding popular events annually throughout Northern Illinois to provide free kids’ ID cards and inspect and install child safety seats. In 2019, Operation Kid helped families and caregivers with about 375 child safety seats checks and issued more than 850 kids’ ID cards to parents.</p><p>The events were paused in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic but resumed in June with the Tollway and ISP District 15 hosting monthly events across the Chicago area this summer.</p><p>The August 27 event will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Children’s Museum in Oak Lawn, 5100 Museum Drive, Oak Lawn. Families attending the K.I.S.S. event will receive a voucher for one free admission to the museum. No admission is required to participate in the K.I.S.S. event.</p><p>“This important safety program helps parents protect their children when they’re out on the road or out in their communities,” said Illinois Tollway Interim Executive Director Lanyea Griffin. “Safety is always our highest priority and this program helps achieves that goal by keeping kids safe and parents worry-free, every trip, every time.”</p><p>Illinois law requires all children under age 8 to be properly secured in an appropriate child restraint system when riding in a vehicle with family or other caregivers. In addition, as of January 1, 2019, children under age 2 years are required by Illinois law to ride rear-facing, unless the child weighs 40 or more pounds or is 40 or more inches tall, to protect their developing muscles and bones.<br /> <br />Properly installed child safety seats save lives and significantly reduce injuries in the event of a crash. Yet, Illinois State Police find that as many as 90 percent of child safety seats they inspect are improperly installed. <br /> <br />“K.I.S.S. events help protect children by providing a convenient way for parents to ensure the child safety seats they depend on are installed correctly,” said Captain Jason Bradley, District 15 commander. “We also use these events to educate drivers about the importance of complying with Illinois’ safety seat laws.”<br /> <br /><strong>2022 K.I.S.S. Events</strong><br />To make it easy and fun for parents, grandparents and children alike, K.I.S.S. events are held at convenient locations at various locations along the 294-mile Illinois Tollway system. </p><p>Highlights at the August 27 event at the Children’s Museum in Oak Lawn include: </p><ul><li>Free identification cards for children ages 3 and older and child safety seat inspections and installations. Information provided on kids’ ID cards, including a child’s height, weight and fingerprints, can help law enforcement more quickly locate and recover a missing child.</li><li>Touch-a-truck display featuring hands-on exploration of a Tollway H.E.L.P. truck, snowplow and local emergency vehicles.</li><li>Trooper Cooper, a talking, child-sized Illinois State Police car that offers simple safety tips to toddlers and young children</li><li>Kids indoor and outdoor play areas.</li></ul><p> <br />The final K.I.S.S. event of 2022 is Saturday, September 24, at the Itasca Fire Protection District Family Safety Fair. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.<br /> <br />For more information about Operation Kid 2022 and to see additional activities at each event, visit the Tollway’s website. <br /> <br /><strong>About the Illinois Tollway</strong><br />The Illinois Tollway is a user-fee system that receives no state or federal funds for maintenance and operations. The agency maintains and operates 294 miles of roadways in 12 counties in Northern Illinois, including the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355), the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80) and the Illinois Route 390 Tollway.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="tnpegvgz" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2022-08-22]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway and Illinois State Police Hosing Kids Identification and Safety Seat Event in Oak Lawn as Part of Operation Kid 2022
Display date: 2022-08-22
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<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="lazkfstb" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Native-American owned management firm says Aloha to Illinois, joins Tollways Partnering for Growth Program","name":"QRSE---blog_0822.png","width":"","description":"Native-American owned management firm says Aloha to Illinois, joins Tollways Partnering for Growth Program","title":"QRSE---blog_0822.png","type":"document","uuid":"aa4501a5-ddb6-189a-85db-6df76f9686a7","fileEntryId":"1271635","resourcePrimKey":"1271655","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/QRSE---blog_0822.png/aa4501a5-ddb6-189a-85db-6df76f9686a7?t=1659990563087","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="rydhuhey" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Native-American owned management firm says Aloha to Illinois, joins Tollway\u2019s Partnering for Growth Program","name":"QRSE---blog_0822.png","width":"","description":"Native-American owned management firm says Aloha to Illinois, joins Tollway\u2019s Partnering for Growth Program","title":"QRSE---blog_0822.png","type":"document","uuid":"aa4501a5-ddb6-189a-85db-6df76f9686a7","fileEntryId":"1271635","resourcePrimKey":"1271655","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/QRSE---blog_0822.png/aa4501a5-ddb6-189a-85db-6df76f9686a7?t=1659990563087","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="lntrqcla" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Native-American owned management firm says Aloha to Illinois, joins Tollway’s Partnering for Growth Program]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="bwgpawsl" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="ymgldrgl" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>On the surface, there may not be a lot of similarities between Hawaii and Illinois. </p><p>But when QRSE LLC was looking for opportunities to expand its engineering business beyond the Hawaiian Islands, it chose to open an office 4,000-some miles away in the Land of Lincoln. </p><p>Recently, QRSE Founder and President Kai Nani Kraut identified the Illinois Tollway’s Partnering for Growth Program as a viable path to continue expanding her business in Illinois. </p><p>She sees the program, which pairs smaller, diverse businesses like hers with mentoring firms that have experience doing Tollway projects, as a great way for her growing company to gain experience in the dynamic Chicago-area transportation market. Her business is the first woman-owned, Native American disadvantaged business enterprise firm participating in the program.</p><p>“Getting experience working here in this market will be beneficial,” Kai said. “We want to get local knowledge.”</p><p>The partnership has been a homecoming of sorts for Kai, who has strong Illinois connections, including earning an engineering degree from the University of Illinois and working previously for the Illinois Department of Transportation.</p><p>“I like Chicago, I like the area, I want to build our business in places I want to go to,” said Kai. Her brother—also an engineer who serves as executive vice president of QRSE—and father, Lee Kraut, both live in Illinois. </p><p>QRSE has been growing in Hawaii since she launched in 2013. The company started with three employees and now has about 30. Kai has big plans to continue expanding the firm, focusing on growth in both Hawaii as well as in the Chicago area.</p><p>“I look forward to learning from our mentor the business side of their operation especially as QRSE is experiencing exponential growth. I want to get a better understanding of the processes companies use when they work with the Tollway,” Kai said. “I’m hoping that by working with larger, more seasoned firms, we can learn from them.”</p><p>Her firm is working as a subcontractor with Stanley Consultants Inc., which in March was awarded a four-year, $3 million Tollway contract to perform construction management services related to the Tollway’s shift to cashless tolling. Much of the work covered by the contract will be occurring along the southern end of the Tri-State Tollway (I-294).</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="qykwsbws" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2022-08-08]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Native-American owned management firm says Aloha to Illinois, joins Tollway’s Partnering for Growth Program
Display date: 2022-08-08
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<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="gyxiizpo" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Interim Executive Director Lanyea Griffin Details Unique Features of Tollway Projects to Engineering Group ","name":"202207 TDI Luncheon LG group.png","width":"","description":"Interim Executive Director Lanyea Griffin Details Unique Features of Tollway Projects to Engineering Group ","title":"202207 TDI Luncheon LG group.png","type":"document","uuid":"58ad370d-8fa3-2eed-83fe-aa03900829ee","fileEntryId":"1268792","resourcePrimKey":"1269012","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/202207%20TDI%20Luncheon%20LG%20group.png/58ad370d-8fa3-2eed-83fe-aa03900829ee?t=1659021254353","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="bgcfarkp" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Interim Executive Director Lanyea Griffin Details Unique Features of Tollway Projects to Engineering Group ","name":"202207 TDI Luncheon LG group.png","width":"","description":"Interim Executive Director Lanyea Griffin Details Unique Features of Tollway Projects to Engineering Group ","title":"202207 TDI Luncheon LG group.png","type":"document","uuid":"58ad370d-8fa3-2eed-83fe-aa03900829ee","fileEntryId":"1268792","resourcePrimKey":"1269012","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/202207%20TDI%20Luncheon%20LG%20group.png/58ad370d-8fa3-2eed-83fe-aa03900829ee?t=1659021254353","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="feasnzmv" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Interim Executive Director Lanyea Griffin Details Unique Features of Tollway Projects to Engineering Group]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="mmxbtwvt" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="azphrvjg" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>It’s been said that engineering is the art and science of nuts and bolts. <br /> <br />So, it was with great interest that a group from the American Society of Civil Engineers, Illinois Section, welcomed Illinois Tollway Interim Executive Director Lanyea Griffin to dig into some of the unique engineering aspects of ongoing Tollway projects. <br /> <br />More than 120 transportation engineers flocked to the luncheon hosted by the ASCE Illinois Transportation and Development Institute, a specialty technical group that promotes professional excellence in all aspects of transportation engineering, urban planning and development. It was the biggest turnout seen by the group since it resumed hosting luncheons post-pandemic in February of this year. <br /> <br />Griffin detailed for the engineering crowd many of the finer points and technical details of Tollway projects, including the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) and I-490 projects, as well as Phase Two of the I-294/I-57 Interchange Project. <br /> <br />One of the most interesting and challenging projects for engineers is the complex work involved in reconstructing the I-294 bridge over 87th Street/Roberts Road in coordination with Cook County, Hickory Hills, Justice and Bridgeview. It’s the work going on underneath the bridge that will make an even greater positive impact on surrounding communities. <br /> <br />When originally constructed, the northbound and southbound sides of I-294 were significantly different, with one bridge on the northbound side and two bridges on the southbound side. A later widening of I-294 resulted in the need for a deep beam spanning both underlying roads, which crisscross underneath. <br /> <br />After extensive review, the Tollway decided to transform what existed into something that would provide much more benefit – building two massive structures to cross over both 87th Street and Roberts Road. The new bridges will span both roadways and the intersection, eliminating the need for a fracture-critical support. The new bridge is more conventional with no skew that also provides for significant improvements under the bridge and improved constructability. The new bridge allows for construction of a right turn lane from 87th Street to Roberts Road, as well as wider sidewalks, open space, customized aesthetics including transparent acrylic noisewalls on the bridge and less maintenance. <br /> <br />Griffin also highlighted innovations such as the gantry system employed to reconstruct the Mile Long Bridge in the area adjacent to and over the Chicago Sanitary & Ship Canal and the self-propelled modular transporter technology used to install the shoofly bridge in order to keep passenger and freight trains running during reconstruction of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway Bridge Project. <br /> <br />In addition, Griffin spotlighted the unique challenge of building the new I-490 Tollway along the west side of O’Hare International Airport, which requires the Tollway to consider and accommodate operations related to the airport. The Tollway is constructing an underpass to allow personnel from the Federal Aviation Administration to pass under the toll road to access their facilities, as well as working in coordination with the FAA and the Chicago Department of Aviation to perform the complex work of relocating nearby runway lighting systems from the ground to bridges. </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="vyvnkwbh" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2022-07-28]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Interim Executive Director Lanyea Griffin Details Unique Features of Tollway Projects to Engineering Group
Display date: 2022-07-28
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<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="aqydvlvs" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Diversity Advisory Council discusses ongoing diversity initiatives and their positive regional impacts ","name":"2022 07 DAC Group Photo.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway Diversity Advisory Council discusses ongoing diversity initiatives and their positive regional impacts ","title":"2022 07 DAC Group Photo.png","type":"document","uuid":"94932fb9-b9af-05d3-135f-fb25d247dc11","fileEntryId":"1268304","resourcePrimKey":"1268324","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/2022%2007%20DAC%20Group%20Photo.png/94932fb9-b9af-05d3-135f-fb25d247dc11?t=1658857280321","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="uvdenvsr" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Diversity Advisory Council discusses ongoing diversity initiatives and their positive regional impacts ","name":"2022 07 DAC Group Photo.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway Diversity Advisory Council discusses ongoing diversity initiatives and their positive regional impacts ","title":"2022 07 DAC Group Photo.png","type":"document","uuid":"94932fb9-b9af-05d3-135f-fb25d247dc11","fileEntryId":"1268304","resourcePrimKey":"1268324","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/2022%2007%20DAC%20Group%20Photo.png/94932fb9-b9af-05d3-135f-fb25d247dc11?t=1658857280321","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="fmqkefxi" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Diversity Advisory Council discusses ongoing diversity initiatives and their positive regional impacts]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="rowoozmm" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="mnhaitlp" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Illinois Tollway leadership gathered recently with members of its Diversity Advisory Council over breakfast to discuss ongoing diversity initiatives and the positive impact they’re having for small, diverse and veteran-owned firms throughout the region. <br /> <br />Tollway Director and Diversity and Inclusion Committee Chair Jackie Gomez and Interim Executive Director Lanyea Griffin thanked members of the Diversity Advisory Council for their support in advancing the agency’s diversity programs. <br /> <br />Chief of the Department of Diversity and Strategic Development Terry Miller provided a brief update on Tollway diversity programs and the group had a chance to network and talk to Director Gomez about her vision for the future of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee, while meeting with Griffin for the first time in her role as interim executive director. Many DAC members were familiar with Griffin’s past work managing construction and engineering services in the Move Illinois Program.<br /> <br />The Diversity Advisory Council is a group of outside subject-matter experts and construction industry participants who share ideas and guidance with Tollway management to further the agency’s diversity programs. Their work provides an outside perspective that helps inform the Tollway’s efforts to build upon its established foundation of inclusion. <br /> <br />The breakfast meeting serves as an opportunity to strengthen relationships between Tollway leadership and advocates for diversity, equity and inclusion in the transportation industry.</p><p>Below, please find images from the meeting.</p><p><a data-flickr-embed="true" data-header="true" title="2022 July - Diversity Advisory Council Meeting" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/iltollway/albums/72177720300715667"><img width="500" height="375" alt="2022 July - Diversity Advisory Council Meeting" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52232468685_211ac239ab.jpg" /></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="kbwjfiez" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2022-07-26]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Diversity Advisory Council discusses ongoing diversity initiatives and their positive regional impacts
Display date: 2022-07-26
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<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="gajlwftj" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Hosts IDOT and Law Enforcement Agencies to Remind Drivers to Slow Down","name":"202207 Speed Event.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway Hosts IDOT and Law Enforcement Agencies to Remind Drivers to Slow Down","title":"202207 Speed Event.png","type":"document","uuid":"281bed61-fb13-c7f1-4f6b-1e71854cb4b6","fileEntryId":"1267589","resourcePrimKey":"1268017","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/202207%20Speed%20Event.png/281bed61-fb13-c7f1-4f6b-1e71854cb4b6?t=1658767190166","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="dolxiwbv" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Hosts IDOT and Law Enforcement Agencies to Remind Drivers to Slow Down","name":"202207 Speed Event.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway Hosts IDOT and Law Enforcement Agencies to Remind Drivers to Slow Down","title":"202207 Speed Event.png","type":"document","uuid":"281bed61-fb13-c7f1-4f6b-1e71854cb4b6","fileEntryId":"1267589","resourcePrimKey":"1268017","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/202207%20Speed%20Event.png/281bed61-fb13-c7f1-4f6b-1e71854cb4b6?t=1658767190166","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="nxjzerbo" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Hosts IDOT and Law Enforcement Agencies to Remind Drivers to Slow Down]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="qjjbfine" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="gaflmcsf" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Excessive speeding remains a serious issue on Illinois roadways and across the country. That’s why the Illinois Tollway joined with the Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois State Police and other state law enforcement agencies to promote Speed Awareness Day. </p><p>Interim Tollway Executive Director Lanyea Griffin urged drivers to slow down, especially in work zones as major construction is ongoing across the Illinois Tollway system. She cautioned that speeding not only endangers the lives of drivers and other motorists, but is also a threat to the safety of those who work on the roadways – construction and maintenance workers, as well as the Illinois State Police District 15 troopers who are responsible for enforcing traffic laws on the Tollway. </p><p>The annual Speed Awareness Day campaign brings together public and private stakeholders to address the dangers of excessive speeding and the deadly impact speeding has on traffic safety. </p><p>The event is coordinated by the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police and held in the summer months to highlight that most fatal crashes where speed is a contributing factor occur between June and September. The campaign involves law enforcement from the six states that make up Region 5 of the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration – Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin. </p><p>National trends indicate that more drivers are disregarding speed limits and surrounding traffic conditions since the Covid-19 pandemic started. The result is not only more crashes, but also more severe crashes with more injuries and fatalities across the country and in Illinois. </p><p>Speeding is the nation’s leading cause of fatal crashes, accounting for about one-third of all motor vehicle fatalities. Nationwide, nearly 43,000 people lost their lives in car crashes last year, up 10.5% from nearly 39,000 fatalities in 2020, according to projections from the NHTSA. It’s the highest number of fatal crashes since 2005 and highest annual percentage increase since the NHTSA started collecting such data in 1979.</p><p>In Illinois, fatal crashes increased nearly 14% in 2021, up to an estimated 1,357 from 1,194 in 2020, according to the NHTSA. </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="elgvnvjj" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2022-07-25]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Hosts IDOT and Law Enforcement Agencies to Remind Drivers to Slow Down
Display date: 2022-07-25
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="hszjjnpn" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"1267064","groupId":"20184","name":"Memorial-Dedication-blog_0722.png","alt":"Memorial-Dedication-blog_0722","title":"Memorial-Dedication-blog_0722.png","type":"journal","uuid":"481db682-4255-f54e-0aed-462535edd105","fileEntryId":"1267088","resourcePrimKey":"1267086"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="yadjeahx" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":1267088,"groupId":"20184","name":"Memorial-Dedication-blog_0722.png","alt":"","title":"Memorial-Dedication-blog_0722.png","type":"document","uuid":"481db682-4255-f54e-0aed-462535edd105","fileEntryId":"1267088","resourcePrimKey":"1267086"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="oshpppna" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway and Illinois State Police Dedicate Monument Honoring Fallen Troopers and Tollway Workers]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="ehvxmkor" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="hbpufqzm" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Honoring those who gave their lives serving others, the Illinois Tollway and Illinois State Police this month dedicated a new granite memorial to fallen ISP District 15 troopers and Tollway workers who have died in the line of duty.<br /> <br />“We’ve created a permanent, fitting memorial that commemorates the dedication of the Tollway workers and Illinois State Police troopers who lost their lives serving and protecting the drivers who use our roads,” said Illinois Tollway Lanyea Griffin. “We will never forget their sacrifice and this memorial provides a peaceful, proper place for family members, friends and colleagues to gather to remember their lives and service.”<br /> <br />The solemn dedication of the black-and-gray memorial outside Tollway headquarters in Downers Grove preceded another event that honors fallen ISP troopers from across the state and helps support their families; the 15th Annual Lt. Rich Kozik Motorcycle & Fun Car Run.<br /> <br />Holding the two events together symbolizes the strong partnership between the two agencies and recognizes the ultimate sacrifice some individuals in those organizations have made while assisting and protecting drivers on the Tollway system.</p><p>“The new memorial at the Illinois Tollway and the 15th Annual Lt. Rich Kozik Motorcycle & Fun Car Run both help us remember and celebrate those who have lost their lives in the service of Illinois and support their family and friends,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. “This memorial embodies the enduring commitment to public safety and public service that both agencies share.” <br /> <br />The curved walls of the memorial are inscribed with the names of troopers and Tollway workers who have died in the line of duty since the Tollway system opened more than 60 years ago.<br /> <br />Previously, smaller memorials had been built at different locations around the Tollway system to honor individual troopers and roadway workers who died while on duty. Tollway and ISP leaders though, wanted to create a central, permanent monument to collectively remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving others.<br /> <br />Along with the names of the fallen troopers and Tollway workers, the memorial is inscribed with a quotation from Dr. Maya Angelou that reminds visitors “a great soul serves everyone all the time. A great soul never dies. It brings us together again and again and again.”<br /> <br />This memorial will honor forever the “great souls” who gave their lives serving others but live on in the memories of their relatives, friends and coworkers.</p><p>View <a target="_blank" href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/iltollway/G512ta93yg">photo gallery</a></p><p>View <a target="_blank" href="https://youtu.be/U_y8SVgWm-Q">full event</a></p><p>View<a target="_blank" href="https://youtu.be/aNr5oEo1Vkw"> recap</a></p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="wfxxowpi" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2022-07-21]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway and Illinois State Police Dedicate Monument Honoring Fallen Troopers and Tollway Workers
Display date: 2022-07-21
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="vngfrycp" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Metromex-blog_0722.png","name":"Metromex-blog_0722.png","width":"","description":"Metromex-blog_0722.png","title":"Metromex-blog_0722.png","type":"document","uuid":"7897e973-2988-25de-9fa9-5087fbbc499e","fileEntryId":"1266668","resourcePrimKey":"1266920","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/Metromex-blog_0722.png/7897e973-2988-25de-9fa9-5087fbbc499e?t=1658335909975","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="wijzsylt" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"","name":"Metromex-blog_0722.png","width":"","description":"","title":"Metromex-blog_0722.png","type":"document","uuid":"7897e973-2988-25de-9fa9-5087fbbc499e","fileEntryId":"1266668","resourcePrimKey":"1266920","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/Metromex-blog_0722.png/7897e973-2988-25de-9fa9-5087fbbc499e?t=1658335909975","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="rhrbjptb" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Paving Company Gets Guidance from Illinois Tollway Technical Assistance Program As It Repairs Roads and Continues Growing]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="indejmfp" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="kboejpkh" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Dan Rojas feels at home when he drives on the Illinois Tollway system because his asphalt paving company has done so much work as a subcontractor on Tollway reconstruction projects over the last few years.</p><p>His small business, Metromex Contractors Inc., worked on the interchange that will link the new I-490 Tollway with the Jane Addams Tollway (I-90) in the Northwest suburbs. It’s working on the final stage of a new interchange that will connect the Tri-State Tollway (I-294) with I-57 in the Southwest suburbs. Metromex also is working on project to rebuild Ogden Avenue over I-294 as part of the Tollway’s Central Tri-State Tollway Project.</p><p>“We’re all over the place on the Tollway system,” said Rojas, president of Metromex, a company based in southwest suburban McCook that was started by his father, Fred, who remains at the helm of the growing family business and whom his son credits for their continuing success. “But we don’t mind—we like to do Tollway work. It’s helped us to become more financially stable.”</p><p>The firm has worked as a subcontractor on more than a dozen Tollway contracts since 2018, while also working on road projects for other transportation agencies in Illinois. It’s grown rapidly, graduating in 2021 from the Tollway’s Small Business Initiative because it exceed the maximum amount of annual revenue that allowed it to qualify for that program. </p><p>His company notched a new achievement last year when for the first time it won a bid to become the prime contractor on a resurfacing project related to the construction of a new interchange that will link I-490 to the Illinois Route 390 Tollway near O’Hare International Airport. </p><p>Metromex, which specializes in doing road-related asphalt paving work, is expected to begin work this summer on the project to resurface and repair York Road at Thorndale Avenue adjacent to the location of the new interchange. </p><p>Some of his success in working on Tollway projects, Rojas said, is a result of his participation in the Tollway’s Technical Assistance Program, which is designed to help small, diverse firms like his gain the knowledge and support needed to better compete for work on agency construction projects. His business joined the program in 2019.</p><p>All emerging firms are eligible to join the program, including disadvantaged, minority- and women-owned business enterprises (D/M/WBE) veteran-owned small businesses (VOSB) and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses (SDVOSB).</p><p>The program helped Metromex obtain the bonding and insurance required to handle larger projects.</p><p>“Bonding was something fairly new to us, so assistance with that helped us a lot,” he said. “The help we received with obtaining insurance was one of the biggest benefits we received from the program.”</p><p>Rojas also participated in the Tollway’s Rolling Owner Controlled Insurance Program, or ROCIP, which provides up to $25 million in liability coverage for on-site work to contractors working in the agency’s Small Business Initiative.</p><p>While contractors are still required to maintain their own liability coverage for off-site activities, participating in ROCIP helped his company save money on insurance coverage and use that savings to invest in other vital parts of his business, Rojas said.</p><p>“We’ve been able to put more money towards upgrading our equipment. That has been helpful, for sure,” said Rojas, whose business has grown to about 25 employees.<br /> <br />Now, when he’s driving with his family on the Tollway system, he frequently mentions to his three children the work his company has done on the roads they’re using.</p><p>“I point out to my kids the work we’ve done. I say, ‘we built this road,’” Rojas said. “There’s definitely a sense of pride. We’re an important part of a bigger picture that a lot of people use every day and depend on.”</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="vcqkhpil" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2022-07-20]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Paving Company Gets Guidance from Illinois Tollway Technical Assistance Program As It Repairs Roads and Continues Growing
Display date: 2022-07-20
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="bxxfkzgx" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Aurora Maintenance Site Goes the Extra Mile for Safety","name":"M8-GoingtheExtraMile-blog_0622.png","width":"","description":"Aurora Maintenance Site Goes the Extra Mile for Safety","title":"M8-GoingtheExtraMile-blog_0622.png","type":"document","uuid":"c4b1247a-b1df-1c5d-8f1d-d5cecc6b4b37","fileEntryId":"1265593","resourcePrimKey":"1265713","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/M8-GoingtheExtraMile-blog_0622.png/c4b1247a-b1df-1c5d-8f1d-d5cecc6b4b37?t=1657837621188","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="ennesnto" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Aurora Maintenance Site Goes the Extra Mile for Safety","name":"M8-GoingtheExtraMile-blog_0622.png","width":"","description":"Aurora Maintenance Site Goes the Extra Mile for Safety","title":"M8-GoingtheExtraMile-blog_0622.png","type":"document","uuid":"c4b1247a-b1df-1c5d-8f1d-d5cecc6b4b37","fileEntryId":"1265593","resourcePrimKey":"1265713","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/M8-GoingtheExtraMile-blog_0622.png/c4b1247a-b1df-1c5d-8f1d-d5cecc6b4b37?t=1657837621188","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="kzthgthp" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Aurora Maintenance Site Goes the Extra Mile for Safety]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="fhuxlvjo" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="mzpkehgf" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The crew at the Illinois Tollway’s Aurora (M-8) maintenance facility doesn’t start each day with a morning meeting; they call it “church” because it’s where they preach about the importance of safety. </p><p>“We call it ‘church,’ but it’s more like a pre-game pep talk for our team,” says M-8 Manager Brian Fuqua, a former high school football and wrestling coach. “We try to make them feel good before they go out, make sure they have their heads in the game.”</p><p>Fuqua preaches the importance of taking ownership, being prepared and having fun while making it a priority to keep their section of the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), from Sugar Grove to Oak Brook, safe and clean for Illinois Tollway customers. </p><p>Fuqua takes great pride that others notice how clean the roadway is, but really appreciates when his staff says, “Our section is looking really good.” It shows they have bought in to his philosophy of taking ownership. </p><p>It’s this doctrine of ownership that helped M-8 earn the 2021 Go the Extra Mile for Safety Award. The annual safety performance award is presented to one of the Tollway’s 12 maintenance facilities that achieves the highest cumulative score based on three safety criteria: incident rate, Toolbox Safety Talks and positive feedback from managers and supervisors who observe and document outstanding safety practices. </p><p>M-8 was one of three maintenance facilities that went through the year without a single injury, joining Marengo (M-6) and Bensenville (M-16) in achieving that feat for the first time in the Tollway’s history. But what put M-8 over the top was that this team conducted 75 Toolbox Safety Talks, more than twice the required number of 36 talks and a dozen more than the maintenance facility with the next highest number of Toolbox Safety Talks. </p><p>Toolbox Safety Talks are training resources available to maintenance facilities. Each month, the Tollway safety department recommends three safety topics for discussion. Topics include the three-contact rule for entering or exiting vehicles, back safety and proper equipment and materials handling. It also includes watching and discussing the Protect Your Assets series of safety videos, which cover topics including roadway debris removal, proper lifting techniques and moving equipment. </p><p>Last year, M-8 started conducting training sessions every Friday as a matter of course to cover the operation and maintenance of various tools and equipment, as well as situations maintenance crews might encounter on the roadway. Everyone is encouraged to provide input and ask questions that might lead to new and better ways of doing things.</p><p>Fuqua says that training was emphasized to keep workers safe doing a wide variety of work, usually in close proximity to live traffic, and most of the 22 maintenance workers at M-8 also have fewer than three years experience. Much of the work maintenance crews do is out on the road – helping to clear incidents, removing debris and plowing snow. They also mow grass, fill potholes, clear drainage structures, repair electrical equipment and fix guardrails. They work with chainsaws, wood chippers, lawnmowers, jackhammers, concrete saws and blow torches. </p><p>Interim Executive Director Lanyea Griffin called in via Zoom to congratulate the M-8 team. Griffin was among several Tollway leaders who participated in an awards celebration on May 3 to recognize the safety achievements at the Aurora maintenance facility led by Fuqua and Supervisor Michael Altobelli and present the traveling trophy. </p><p>“I hope this trophy serves as a constant reminder that your work and your efforts to create and maintain a safe work environment are recognized and appreciated,” said Griffin. </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="evacwovi" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2022-07-19]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Aurora Maintenance Site Goes the Extra Mile for Safety
Display date: 2022-07-19
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<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="jxjpbkba" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Chicago Tax Club Shows Interest in I-294 Project","name":"CTC-294-blog.png","width":"","description":"Chicago Tax Club Shows Interest in I-294 Project","title":"CTC-294-blog.png","type":"document","uuid":"89aee1a4-ebf6-e666-7893-32a99765a41a","fileEntryId":"1265559","resourcePrimKey":"1265579","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/CTC-294-blog.png/89aee1a4-ebf6-e666-7893-32a99765a41a?t=1657837300875","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="ismgwaei" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Chicago Tax Club Shows Interest in I-294 Project","name":"CTC-294-blog.png","width":"","description":"Chicago Tax Club Shows Interest in I-294 Project","title":"CTC-294-blog.png","type":"document","uuid":"89aee1a4-ebf6-e666-7893-32a99765a41a","fileEntryId":"1265559","resourcePrimKey":"1265579","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/CTC-294-blog.png/89aee1a4-ebf6-e666-7893-32a99765a41a?t=1657837300875","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="niruphrn" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Chicago Tax Club Shows Interest in I-294 Project]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="ueumjyht" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="rcelhrfd" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>With tax season over, a group of more than 100 Chicago-area tax professionals turned their attention from 1040s to 294 in May – as in Interstate 294. </p><p>The Chicago Tax Club recently invited the Illinois Tollway to provide an in-depth look at the $4 billion Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Project during its annual joint meeting with the Council on State Taxation in Rolling Meadows. </p><p>Deputy Chief of Program Implementation Peter Foernssler, who is responsible for leading the I-294 Project, provided an overview, highlighted key features and discussed its benefits for Tollway customers and the region. </p><p>Of particular interest was how the Tollway manages to keep traffic moving through the 22-mile I-294 corridor from 95th Street to Balmoral Avenue with minimal inconvenience to motorists. </p><p>Foernssler explained how the Tollway minimizes disruptions for customers by maintaining four lanes of traffic in each direction throughout construction, using shoulder closures and lane shifts to safely accommodate traffic while providing room for a work zone, and by scheduling work to take place on different segments of the roadway at different times. Work on the project started in 2018 and is scheduled to be completed in 2026. </p><p>One of the largest and most complex transportation infrastructure projects in the history of the Illinois Tollway, the I-294 Project is providing congestion relief, reconstructing old infrastructure to meet current and future transportation demand and addressing regional needs.</p><p>The project includes reconfiguring the I-290/I-88 Interchange at I-294, rebuilding the Mile Long Bridge and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway Bridge, as well as integrating Flex Lanes and SmartRoad technology.</p><p>More information about the I-294 Project can be found <a target="_blank" href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/projects/tri-state/central-tri-state-reconstruction">here</a>.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="oyqdnhrf" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2022-07-12]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Chicago Tax Club Shows Interest in I-294 Project
Display date: 2022-07-12
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<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="fftbedmk" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Tollway Interim Executive Director & Transportation Leaders Gather to Discuss Project Funding, Minority Challenges","name":"202207_NFBPA_Blog_LG.png","width":"","description":"Tollway Interim Executive Director & Transportation Leaders Gather to Discuss Project Funding, Minority Challenges","title":"202207_NFBPA_Blog_LG.png","type":"document","uuid":"7af13de4-f116-8cc7-95ef-ebcfa05eddc3","fileEntryId":"1264603","resourcePrimKey":"1264623","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/202207_NFBPA_Blog_LG.png/7af13de4-f116-8cc7-95ef-ebcfa05eddc3?t=1657574834031","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="qpbajdhq" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Tollway Interim Executive Director & Transportation Leaders Gather to Discuss Project Funding, Minority Challenges","name":"202207_NFBPA_Blog_LG.png","width":"","description":"Tollway Interim Executive Director & Transportation Leaders Gather to Discuss Project Funding, Minority Challenges","title":"202207_NFBPA_Blog_LG.png","type":"document","uuid":"7af13de4-f116-8cc7-95ef-ebcfa05eddc3","fileEntryId":"1264603","resourcePrimKey":"1264623","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/202207_NFBPA_Blog_LG.png/7af13de4-f116-8cc7-95ef-ebcfa05eddc3?t=1657574834031","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="mkmebjcj" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Tollway Interim Executive Director & Transportation Leaders Gather to Discuss Project Funding, Minority Challenges]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="dimsicsp" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="affheiej" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Black leaders in local and state government gathered recently to hear from area transportation officials about funding plans for infrastructure projects and opportunities for diverse firms and individuals to participate in those projects, as well as in leadership positions at those agencies. </p><p>The National Forum for Black Public Administrators, Chicago Chapter, hosted an Executives in Transportation and Infrastructure panel discussion attracting more than 80 NFBPA members to the June 28 event in downtown Chicago. </p><p>The panel included Illinois Tollway Interim Executive Director Lanyea Griffin, Chicago Transit Authority Chief Operating Officer Veronica Alanis, Chicago Department of Transportation Commissioner Gia Biagi, Illinois Department of Transportation Secretary Omer Osman and Chicago Department of Aviation Commissioner Jamie Rhee. </p><p>Asked about the financial outlook for the Illinois Tollway, Griffin responded that the Tollway is in a strong financial position to deliver the remainder of its 15-year, $14 billion Move Illinois capital program and keep its 294-mile system of roadways in a state of good repair. When Move Illinois is completed by the end of 2026, the entire Tollway system will have been rebuilt, she said. </p><p>Other transportation agency officials were asked how they were planning to use federal funds from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act or the American Rescue Plan Act, both signed into law in 2021. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act provides $1.2 trillion in federal funding over eight years to modernize roads, bridges, transit, rail, airports and other transportation-related infrastructure, while the American Rescue Plan includes $30.5 billion to support public transportation systems. </p><p>Being self-sustaining, the Illinois Tollway stands ready to serve as a good partner with other local and state transportation agencies putting federal funds to use on transportation infrastructure improvements across the region. The Tollway has a history of working in collaboration with other agencies to deliver transportation infrastructure improvements throughout the region. </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="zdjlljzw" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2022-07-11]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Tollway Interim Executive Director & Transportation Leaders Gather to Discuss Project Funding, Minority Challenges
Display date: 2022-07-11
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<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="esokfeto" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Military and Transportation Agency Officials Discuss Impact of Federal Stimulus","name":"SAME-blog_0622.png","width":"","description":"Military and Transportation Agency Officials Discuss Impact of Federal Stimulus","title":"SAME-blog_0622.png","type":"document","uuid":"8a1d67e1-82d0-e1a0-5e2e-2a230d61e1e3","fileEntryId":"1262773","resourcePrimKey":"1262823","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/SAME-blog_0622.png/8a1d67e1-82d0-e1a0-5e2e-2a230d61e1e3?t=1657045627188","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="buqffnvd" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"","name":"SAME-blog_0622.png","width":"","description":"","title":"SAME-blog_0622.png","type":"document","uuid":"8a1d67e1-82d0-e1a0-5e2e-2a230d61e1e3","fileEntryId":"1262773","resourcePrimKey":"1262823","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/SAME-blog_0622.png/8a1d67e1-82d0-e1a0-5e2e-2a230d61e1e3?t=1657045627188","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="kqkfxtst" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Military and Transportation Agency Officials Discuss Impact of Federal Stimulus]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="bjpjnjua" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="pyuomlyb" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Society of American Military Engineers, Lake Michigan Post, brought together a broad range of government agency officials to discuss the impact of the federal stimulus on the regional transportation network and the highway construction industry. </p><p>About 75 military and civilian engineering and construction industry professionals attended the 15th annual SAME LMP Industry Day event recently in Lake Forest to hear from officials from federal, state and local agencies. </p><p>The lineup for the federal agency panel discussion featured speakers from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Naval Station Great Lakes. </p><p>State and local panels included speakers from the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, Regional Transportation Authority, Lake County Stormwater Management Commission, Illinois Department of Transportation, Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways and the Illinois Tollway. </p><p>The keynote speaker was Congressman Brad Schneider, who serves on the House Committee on Ways and Means and the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. </p><p>Illinois Tollway Acting Chief Engineering Officer Manar Nashif served on a panel with IDOT Region 1 Engineer Jose Rios and Cook County DoTH Superintendent Jennifer “Sis” Killen. </p><p>Nashif provided an update on the Tollway’s Move Illinois capital program, highlighting major projects including the I-490 Tollway and Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Project, as well as opportunities for veteran-owned firms to pursue contract opportunities with the Tollway through the Veterans Business Program. </p><p>The Society of American Military Engineers, Lake Michigan Post, is part of a national organization that unites public and private-sector individuals and organizations from across the architecture, engineering, construction, environmental and facility management, cyber security, project planning, contracting and acquisition and related disciplines in support of national security. Many of its members are active or discharged service members. </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="gaeqsfru" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2022-07-05]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Military and Transportation Agency Officials Discuss Impact of Federal Stimulus
Display date: 2022-07-05
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<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="zqmpddjv" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Urges Safe Driving In Work Zones This Fourth of July Holiday","name":"July4-release-blog_0622.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway Urges Safe Driving In Work Zones This Fourth of July Holiday","title":"July4-release-blog_0622.png","type":"document","uuid":"415f8def-df5c-0c9b-8163-0a495aa4d425","fileEntryId":"1260964","resourcePrimKey":"1260988","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/July4-release-blog_0622.png/415f8def-df5c-0c9b-8163-0a495aa4d425?t=1656444498401","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="ztctuevs" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"","name":"July4-release-blog_0622.png","width":"","description":"","title":"July4-release-blog_0622.png","type":"document","uuid":"415f8def-df5c-0c9b-8163-0a495aa4d425","fileEntryId":"1260964","resourcePrimKey":"1260988","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/July4-release-blog_0622.png/415f8def-df5c-0c9b-8163-0a495aa4d425?t=1656444498401","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="eambuadr" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Urges Safe Driving In Work Zones This Fourth of July Holiday]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="faqdqerw" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="jqivyptj" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway is urging drivers to slow down in construction work zones and avoid distracted driving when traveling this Fourth of July holiday. </p><p>The Tollway expects 9.6 million vehicles to travel the Tollway system over the long Fourth of July holiday weekend. The heaviest travel is expected on Thursday, June 30, and Friday, July 1, when 1.9 million vehicles are projected to use the 294-mile Tollway system each day. On an average day, more than 1.6 million vehicles use the Illinois Tollway. </p><p>“Construction is underway in many locations on the Tollway system from ongoing project to short-term repairs, so it’s vitally important for drivers entering any work zone to slow down, eliminate distractions and focus on safety,” said Illinois Tollway Interim Executive Director Lanyea Griffin. “Safety is everyone’s responsibility and we encourage drivers to take a break at one of our oases to send text messages and make phone calls to prevent accidents and save lives.”</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/projects"><b>Holiday Work Zones</b></a><br />To accommodate holiday travel on the Illinois Tollway, construction activity will be restricted to better serve Tollway customers. Most temporary maintenance and construction lane closures will be suspended from noon on Friday, July 1, through 9 a.m. on Tuesday, July 5. Some work may continue behind barriers to keep work on schedule. All work is weather-dependent.</p><p><strong>Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80)</strong></p><ul><li>On I-94, traffic in both directions between Half Day Road and Atkinson Road is shifted.</li><li>On I-294 between the O’Hare Oasis and 95th Street, traffic is shifted in both directions. Counterflow lanes are in place throughout the Central Tri-State corridor. Watch for signage indicating changing traffic patterns. </li><li>On I-294, the ramp from eastbound Archer Avenue to southbound I-294 is closed and a detour is posted.</li><li>On I-294, the ramps from northbound I-294 to Wolf Rd and southbound I-55 are closed and detours are posted.</li></ul><p><strong><a target="_blank" href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/about/state-police">Illinois State Police Urges Responsible Driving</a> </strong><br />Construction zone speed limits are in effect in all construction zones 24/7 and drivers should continue to watch for changing traffic patterns and use caution, especially when workers are present. </p><p>The Illinois Tollway and Illinois State Police District 15 remind motorists that the “Move Over Law” requires motorists to change lanes or to slow down and proceed with caution when passing any vehicle on the side of the road with hazard lights activated. If you see flashing lights ahead, please move over or slow down.</p><p>Illinois State Police have zero tolerance for drivers speeding in work zones or failure to comply with the Move Over Law. The minimum penalty for speeding in a work zone is $250 with up to a $25,000 fine and a 14-year jail sentence for hitting a roadway worker. Penalties for failure to slow down or move over for a vehicle on the shoulder with flashing lights includes up to a $10,000 fine, 2-year suspension of driving privileges and jail time, in extreme cases.</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/travel-information/oases"><strong>A convenient place to take a break</strong></a><br />Oases located along the Tollway system provide drivers an opportunity to stop for calls and texts or simply take a break. The oases provide a variety of food, beverage and retail offerings, as well as 7-Eleven stores and fuel stations.</p><p>On the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80), there are two oases with over-the-road pavilions at Lake Forest and the Chicago Southland Lincoln in South Holland and 7-Eleven stores and fuel stations at Hinsdale and O’Hare. There are also oases with pavilions on the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88) in DeKalb and on the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) in Belvidere.</p><p><strong>About the Illinois Tollway</strong><br />The Illinois Tollway is a user-fee system that receives no state or federal funds for maintenance and operations. The agency maintains and operates 294 miles of roadways in 12 counties in Northern Illinois, including the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355), the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80) and the Illinois Route 390 Tollway.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="wmetbytr" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2022-06-28]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Urges Safe Driving In Work Zones This Fourth of July Holiday
Display date: 2022-06-28
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="yyksbluf" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Tollway engages small and diverse firms on certification requirements needed to compete for work","name":"BCOE-blog_0622.png","width":"","description":"Tollway engages small and diverse firms on certification requirements needed to compete for work","title":"BCOE-blog_0622.png","type":"document","uuid":"969ce0bf-9e8c-3f8e-76b4-b9cc2171e4f1","fileEntryId":"1260288","resourcePrimKey":"1260608","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/BCOE-blog_0622.png/969ce0bf-9e8c-3f8e-76b4-b9cc2171e4f1?t=1656343378397","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="sizobozn" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"","name":"BCOE-blog_0622.png","width":"","description":"","title":"BCOE-blog_0622.png","type":"document","uuid":"969ce0bf-9e8c-3f8e-76b4-b9cc2171e4f1","fileEntryId":"1260288","resourcePrimKey":"1260608","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/BCOE-blog_0622.png/969ce0bf-9e8c-3f8e-76b4-b9cc2171e4f1?t=1656343378397","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="uecjqtye" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Tollway engages small and diverse firms on certification requirements needed to compete for work]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="xrctnkvz" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="ntvqbtze" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>A better understanding of the various types of certifications accepted for different types of Tollway contracts – construction, professional engineering services and goods and services – can be a game-changer for small and diverse firms, opening up contract opportunities that they may not have known they could pursue. </p><p>Tollway Chief of the Department of Diversity and Strategic Development Terry Miller, Chief of Contract Compliance Angela Arrington-Jones and Deputy Chief of Contract Compliance Sainey Jobe met with about 50 construction industry professionals at the Black Contractors, Owners and Executives monthly meeting in May on the South Side of Chicago. </p><p>Discussion highlighted the certifications that the Tollway accepts for the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program and also for the state’s Business Enterprise Program and Veterans Business Program. In addition, business owners were encouraged to take advantage of the Tollway’s host of resources available, including the Technical Assistance Program and Partnering for Growth agreements open to all small businesses looking to gain insight into the industry. </p><p>Information about the types of certifications accepted for the different types of Tollway contracts can be found <a target="_blank" href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/contract-compliance">here</a> on the Tollway website under Doing Business, Contract Compliance. Information on Tollway diversity programs and resources is also available on the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/doing-business">Doing Business page</a>. <br /> </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="wdkbrfvo" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2022-06-28]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Tollway engages small and diverse firms on certification requirements needed to compete for work
Display date: 2022-06-28
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="qwedjtae" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"I-PASS Assist","name":"IPASS-Assist-blog_0622.png","width":"","description":"I-PASS Assist","title":"IPASS-Assist-blog_0622.png","type":"document","uuid":"d661ab6c-0d67-2009-b26b-1eb9549e3814","fileEntryId":"1259899","resourcePrimKey":"1256469","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/IPASS-Assist-blog_0622.png/d661ab6c-0d67-2009-b26b-1eb9549e3814?t=1656081098424","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="bdhxwndr" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"","name":"IPASS-Assist-blog_0622.png","width":"","description":"","title":"IPASS-Assist-blog_0622.png","type":"document","uuid":"d661ab6c-0d67-2009-b26b-1eb9549e3814","fileEntryId":"1259899","resourcePrimKey":"1256469","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/IPASS-Assist-blog_0622.png/d661ab6c-0d67-2009-b26b-1eb9549e3814?t=1656081098424","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="uclzycia" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[I-PASS Assist continues to expand relief for working individuals and families]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="byrefcte" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="lmzlgbpd" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway has further expanded its I-PASS Assist program to include additional fee dismissal for low-wage working families. </p><p>“Over the last several years, the Tollway has reworked its entire model to improve the disparate impact fines and fees have on working families,” said Illinois Tollway Interim Executive Director Lanyea Griffin. “The changes we’re advancing today will help prevent working families from carrying the burden of fines and fees that too often affects those who can least afford it.” </p><p>In May, the Tollway’s Board of Directors green-lighted enhanced relief for I-PASS Assist through retroactive fee dismissal for qualified customers, as well as expanded partnerships with state agencies to maximize enrollment in the program. These benefits, in addition to the Tollway’s two-year amnesty efforts, stands to ensure the agency’s progress towards equity and fairness continues. </p><p>To qualify for I-PASS Assist, customers must apply through the Illinois Tollway, which verifies the customer’s income eligibility with the Illinois Department of Revenue. Moving forward, the Tollway aims to partner with additional agencies to promote enrollment and ensure benefits are realized by all who qualify</p><p>Thanks to previous expansion efforts, enrollees of the program also qualify for a $20 incentive (while supplies last) and a free I-PASS transponder. To date, more than 5,000 customers have enrolled in the program. </p><p>In 2020, the Illinois Tollway advanced critical reforms through the Tolling 2020 relief program, which advanced sweeping amnesty and fine reductions for all Tollway customers with outstanding fines, while drastically reducing the initial costs associated with unpaid tolls for passenger vehicles. Since then, the Tollway’s amnesty efforts provided millions in relief to customers through the drastic reduction in fines.</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/assist">Learn more and see if you qualify today</a></p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="bwwspbqk" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2022-06-24]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
I-PASS Assist continues to expand relief for working individuals and families
Display date: 2022-06-24
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="gjshxjbb" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"1256008","groupId":"20184","name":"202206 KISS-sm.png","alt":"Families turn out for first of four Kids Identification and Safety Seat events set for 2022","title":"202206 KISS-sm.png","type":"journal","uuid":"23c6fd7b-3e60-5516-dd13-78ba642c869d","fileEntryId":"1256032","resourcePrimKey":"1256030"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="njytezfr" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"1256018","groupId":"20184","name":"202206 KISS-sm (1).png","alt":"","title":"202206 KISS-sm (1).png","type":"journal","uuid":"24b0c8fb-693a-c538-def4-6d40a89e8ac2","fileEntryId":"1256041","resourcePrimKey":"1256030"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="febvmmxc" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Families turn out for first of four Kids Identification and Safety Seat events set for 2022]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="uhaphzvh" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="kyhqwpmj" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Cloudy skies and rain showers couldn’t keep families from flocking to the first Kids Identification and Safety Seat (K.I.S.S.) event hosted by the Illinois Tollway and Illinois State Police since the COVID-19 pandemic forced a two-year pause in the popular summer safety program.</p><p>The June 4 event at Kohl Children’s Museum in Glenview allowed parents to obtain free ID cards for their young children and have the child safety seats in their vehicles installed or inspected to ensure they are properly placed.</p><p>Despite scattered rain showers, dozens of families turned out for the event, with 70 kids’ ID cards being issued and more than a dozen child safety seats inspected or properly installed.</p><p>“We’re pleased that families were able to come out for the first time since the start of the COVID pandemic to take these important steps to help protect their children,” said Trooper Duane Chappell, who manages the K.I.S.S. program for Illinois State Police District 15. “Properly installed safety seats protect children when they’re riding in a car or truck, but we find that as many as 90 percent of the seats we inspect are not correctly installed.”</p><p>Providing parents with ID cards containing their child’s photo and other specific information, including their height and weight—can help authorities more quickly locate and identify a lost or missing child, Chappell said.</p><p>This year, the Tollway and District 15 plan to hold three additional outdoor K.I.S.S. events through September as part of their Operation Kid 2022 safety program.</p><p>The events also feature fun activities for youngsters, including:</p><ul><li>Touch-a-truck display featuring hands-on exploration of a Tollway H.E.L.P. truck, snowplow and local emergency vehicles.</li><li>Trooper Cooper, a talking, child-sized Illinois State Police car that offers simple safety tips to toddlers and young children</li></ul><p>“We’re happy we have the opportunity to return to our education and safety initiatives that help keep children safe and parents worry-free, every trip, every time,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Lanyea Griffin. “Safety is always our highest priority and reaching out to families through Operation Kid allows us to help parents protect their children when they’re on the road and out in their communities.” <br /> <br />Illinois law requires that all children under age 8 must be properly secured in an appropriate child restraint system when riding in a vehicle with family or other caregivers. In addition, as of January 1, 2019, children under age 2 years are required by Illinois law to ride rear-facing, unless the child weighs 40 or more pounds or is 40 or more inches tall, to protect their developing muscles and bones.</p><p>The remaining three K.I.S.S. events are scheduled for: </p><ul><li>July 23 - Bartlett Police Department (8 a.m. to noon) </li><li>August 27 - Children’s Museum in Oak Lawn (10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Families attending receive voucher for one free admission)</li><li>September 24 - Family Safety Fair at Itasca Fire Protection District (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.)</li></ul>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="onzujwww" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2022-06-13]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Families turn out for first of four Kids Identification and Safety Seat events set for 2022
Display date: 2022-06-13
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<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="hoehbxhh" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Construction set to begin on long-awaited Justice interchange at 88th/Cork Avenue on the Tri-State Tollway (I-294)","name":"20220601 88th Cork Presser-1200px.png","width":"","description":"Construction set to begin on long-awaited Justice interchange at 88th/Cork Avenue on the Tri-State Tollway (I-294)","title":"20220601 88th Cork Presser-1200px.png","type":"document","uuid":"9614d1ea-3404-ea61-5448-ae74bcc0590d","fileEntryId":"1252653","resourcePrimKey":"1252673","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/20220601%2088th%20Cork%20Presser-1200px.png/9614d1ea-3404-ea61-5448-ae74bcc0590d?t=1654107851657","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="jrkbzrfh" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"","name":"20220601 88th Cork Presser-1200px.png","width":"","description":"","title":"20220601 88th Cork Presser-1200px.png","type":"document","uuid":"9614d1ea-3404-ea61-5448-ae74bcc0590d","fileEntryId":"1252653","resourcePrimKey":"1252673","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/20220601%2088th%20Cork%20Presser-1200px.png/9614d1ea-3404-ea61-5448-ae74bcc0590d?t=1654107851657","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="egqhvois" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Construction set to begin on long-awaited Justice interchange at 88th/Cork Avenue on the Tri-State Tollway (I-294)]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="nnrvmqsi" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="nsenrhka" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>New access poised to fuel economic development and congestion relief in Justice and neighboring communities </p><p>State and local leaders met today to highlight the long-awaited start of construction on the 88th Cork Avenue Interchange on the Tri-State Tollway (I-294), one of the top projects in the state’s Competitive Freight Program aimed at improving the movement of freight and delivering congestion relief and economic benefits across the state. </p><p>“Connecting communities and providing improved access to our region’s transportation network is a top priority of the Illinois Department of Transportation under Gov. JB Pritzker,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman. “We are proud of the partnership that has made this project possible, but even more excited for the enhanced safety and mobility it will bring to an important part of the state.” </p><p>The project is a culmination of years of planning between the Illinois Tollway, the Village of Justice, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways (DoTH) and the Southwest Conference of Mayors. </p><p>The $39 million infrastructure investment includes construction of new ramps connecting 88th/Cork Avenue to the Tri-State Tollway (I-294) along with other local roadway improvements to both accommodate for the larger Central Tri-State construction project as well as to improve local traffic circulation and provide congestion relief. </p><p>Reconstruction of the 88th/Cork Avenue Bridge over I-294 and construction on the new ramps, which is being led by the Tollway, is set to start in June, while construction on the mainline Central Tri-State Tollway surrounding the area is in full swing. The interchange project is scheduled to be complete by the end of 2024. </p><p>“This new interchange is going to be more than access improvements – it’s going to be a game changer for the Chicago Southland in terms of providing congestion relief and economic opportunities,” <br />said Illinois Tollway interim Executive Director Lanyea Griffin who kicked off the event. “Our agency’s innovative Interchange and Roadway Cost Sharing Policy is providing communities like Justice new opportunities and is opening doors for economic success, and as you will hear those doors are wide open.” </p><p>As part of the project, the Tollway will construct a new ramp connecting northbound I-294 to 88th/Cork Avenue and a new ramp connecting 88th/Cork Avenue to southbound I-294. In addition, the Tollway will widen the 88th/Cork Avenue Bridge over I-294 to provide a southbound left turn lane, as well as additional pedestrian and bicycle access, noisewalls and drainage and lighting improvements. </p><p>The new interchange is designed to be compatible with a new ramp connecting southbound Archer Avenue to northbound I-294, which is being constructed by the Illinois Tollway as part of the Central TriState Tollway (I-294) Project. </p><p>The 88th/Cork Avenue Interchange Project is in alignment with Cook County’s long-range transportation plan, Connecting Cook County, to encourage business development and growth by improving freight and traffic connections across the county. </p><p>“This project aligns with Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle’s goal that all communities throughout the County are ensured equitable access to safe, modern and efficient roadways,” said <br />DoTH Superintendent Jennifer “Sis” Killen. “Transportation investment is the backbone to supporting economic potential in our region. We are proud to partner with the Tollway and the Village of Justice on this critical freight project to provide improved mobility and reduced congestion for those traveling within the Village and surrounding Southland communities.” </p><p>The new interchange is located within an enterprise zone created by the Village of Justice and will encourage new construction and support job creation in the village, as well as opening up an entryway to Justice and other surrounding communities to relieve traffic congestion and provide easier access to destinations including freight related businesses and SeatGeek Stadium. In addition, the continued efficient movement of goods and services is central to what makes Illinois the transportation hub of North America.</p><p>“The project will facilitate investment in and redevelopment of the Village of Justice and several surrounding communities while improving efficiencies for freight related companies for more cost-effective shipping and logistics and will create employment opportunities and mobility for the region,” said Justice Mayor Krzysztof Wasowicz. </p><p>According to the Village, benefits include creating much improved truck access to a CSX Railroad intermodal yard in Bedford Park, reducing out of direction travel and impact on adjacent communities, reducing congestion, and fostering economic development and job creation in the southwest region. Currently, the area has approximately 85 freight related firms which employ 22,000 workers. The new access will create even more jobs, while increasing accessibility and mobility for the 21 surrounding communities. </p><p>In addition, the impacts of the anticipated interchange are already driving economic development. <br />Current new area developments include: </p><ul><li>A newly completed 10,000-square-foot shopping center </li><li>An under construction 2,700-square-foot commercial retail building </li><li>Four new residential four-unit townhomes currently under construction </li><li>A new five-acre development that will include a name brand hotel and two additional commercial buildings, an anticipated $20 million investment currently in the permitting phase </li></ul><p>Information on the 88th/Cork Avenue Interchange Project, including comprehensive information and map overviews can be found here in the Projects section on the Tollway’s website. </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="velbxhau" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2022-06-01]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Construction set to begin on long-awaited Justice interchange at 88th/Cork Avenue on the Tri-State Tollway (I-294)
Display date: 2022-06-01
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<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="vzqwgsdk" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Tollway provides travel tips to make summer road trips more enjoyable","name":"MemorialDayTraffic_0568_37-blog_0522.jpg","width":"","description":"Tollway provides travel tips to make summer road trips more enjoyable","title":"MemorialDayTraffic_0568_37-blog_0522.jpg","type":"document","uuid":"14061526-0394-75ae-b358-b3d00ef8e5ca","fileEntryId":"1250296","resourcePrimKey":"1250318","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/MemorialDayTraffic_0568_37-blog_0522.jpg/14061526-0394-75ae-b358-b3d00ef8e5ca?t=1653494689092","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="shmlelip" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"","name":"MemorialDayTraffic_0568_37-blog_0522.jpg","width":"","description":"","title":"MemorialDayTraffic_0568_37-blog_0522.jpg","type":"document","uuid":"14061526-0394-75ae-b358-b3d00ef8e5ca","fileEntryId":"1250296","resourcePrimKey":"1250318","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/MemorialDayTraffic_0568_37-blog_0522.jpg/14061526-0394-75ae-b358-b3d00ef8e5ca?t=1653494689092","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="zphcbhth" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Expects More Than 7 Million Vehicles on its System This Memorial Day Weekend]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="jvyikowa" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="wjitxhcc" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway expects 7.7 million vehicles to kick off summer with a trip on the Tollway system this Memorial Day weekend between Friday, May 27, and Tuesday, May 31 – a nearly 2 percent increase over last year.<br /> <br />“As people begin their summer travels, starting with this Memorial Day holiday weekend, we want to remind drivers to keep their focus on the road and slow down in work zones,” said Illinois Tollway Interim Executive Director Lanyea Griffin. “As a reminder, non-I-PASS customer have 14 days to pay with our Pay By Plate service, so they can focus on driving and easily pay online when their trip is complete. There’s no better time than now to get an I-PASS, particularly if you’re traveling the Tollway system frequently.”</p><p>Illinois Tollway drivers continue to have the option to pay tolls with I-PASS, E-ZPass or pay online with the Tollway’s Pay By Plate service. And for those in need of assistance, the Tollway has enhanced it’s I-PASS Assist program.<br /> <br />Here’s what customers need to know:</p><ul><li>Take your transponder. I-PASS can be used to pay tolls on the Illinois Tollway system and in other states that accept E-ZPass, including 19 other states that are part of the E-ZPass network. </li><li>Pay tolls online. All drivers have a 14-day grace period to pay unpaid tolls. The Pay By Plate service allows customers to simply provide a license plate, dates of travel, and a payment method and then the Illinois Tollway will take care of the rest. </li><li>Get assistance to join I-PASS. Customers unable to use I-PASS for financial reasons have more benefits than ever with the Tollway’s I-PASS Assist program, including no deposit, lower pre-paid balance requirements and dismissal of invoice fees for accounts in good standing.</li></ul><p> <br />Holiday Work Zones<br />To accommodate holiday travel on the Illinois Tollway, construction activity will be restricted to better serve Tollway customers. Most temporary maintenance and construction lane closures will be suspended from noon on Friday, May 27, through 9 a.m. on Tuesday, May 31. Some work may continue behind barriers to keep work on schedule. All work is weather-dependent. <br /> <br />Areas where ongoing work zones may impact traffic include: <br />Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80)</p><ul><li>On I-94, traffic shifts in both directions between Half Day Road and Atkinson Road.</li><li>On I-294 between the O’Hare Oasis and 95th Street, traffic shifts in both directions with counterflow lanes throughout the Central Tri-State corridor. Watch for signage indicating changing traffic patterns. </li><li>On I-294, the ramp from eastbound Archer Avenue to southbound I-294 is closed and a detour is posted.</li><li>On I-294, the ramps from northbound I-294 to Wolf Rd and to southbound I-55 are closed and detours are posted.</li></ul><p> <br /><strong>Dial *999 for Roadway Assistance</strong><br />Drivers should call *999 to get help from Tollway roadway maintenance crews or from Illinois State Police District 15 who patrol the Tollway system 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Motorist aid patrols stand ready to help stranded customers change tires, jump-start batteries, add coolant, dispense fuel, transport customers, move vehicles away from traffic and call for a tow truck. <br /> <br /><strong>Illinois State Police Out in Full Force</strong><br />The Illinois State Police District 15 will be conducting several roadside safety details and special Traffic Enforcement Patrols over the Memorial Day weekend throughout the Tollway system. Troopers patrolling the Tollway will also focus on enforcing fatal four violations, including driving under the influence, speeding, distracted driving and not wearing seat belts. In addition, they will be stepping up enforcement of the Move Over Law, also known as Scott’s Law, which requires motorists to change lanes or slow down and proceed with caution when passing any vehicle on the side of the road with hazard lights activated<br /> <br /><strong>About the Illinois Tollway</strong><br />The Illinois Tollway is a user-fee system that receives no state or federal funds for maintenance and operations. The agency maintains and operates 294 miles of roadways in 12 counties in Northern Illinois, including the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355), the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80) and the Illinois Route 390 Tollway.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="jcqjzrlm" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2022-05-25]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Expects More Than 7 Million Vehicles on its System This Memorial Day Weekend
Display date: 2022-05-25
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="rtypxmbn" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"202205 IRTBA Presentation","name":"202205-IRTBA-LG.png","width":"","description":"202205 IRTBA Presentation","title":"202205-IRTBA-LG.png","type":"document","uuid":"e05e2634-bb7f-2b50-1d2a-5c70ebd225df","fileEntryId":"1248936","resourcePrimKey":"1248956","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/202205-IRTBA-LG.png/e05e2634-bb7f-2b50-1d2a-5c70ebd225df?t=1653330622248","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="qrldylix" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"","name":"202205-IRTBA-LG.png","width":"","description":"","title":"202205-IRTBA-LG.png","type":"document","uuid":"e05e2634-bb7f-2b50-1d2a-5c70ebd225df","fileEntryId":"1248936","resourcePrimKey":"1248956","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/202205-IRTBA-LG.png/e05e2634-bb7f-2b50-1d2a-5c70ebd225df?t=1653330622248","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="mnlbpzsr" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[New Illinois Tollway Leaders Engage Illinois Road Builders Membership]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="umghjbrf" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="lktliyqo" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Nearly 300 transportation industry professionals took the opportunity to meet with the Illinois Tollway’s new leadership duo recently to hear about the Tollway’s priorities and coming projects.</p><p>Illinois Tollway Chairwoman Dorothy Abreu and Interim Executive Director Lanyea Griffin met for the first time with members of the Illinois Road and Transportation Builders Association at the IRTBA General Membership Meeting in Lombard. </p><p>Abreu and Griffin shared their vision for the Tollway, including: </p><ul><li>Building on the accomplishments of the Move Illinois capital program. </li><li>Working in collaboration with the industry to successfully deliver projects on time and within budget. </li><li>Conducting business with transparency, integrity and accountability. </li><li>Increasing opportunities for small, diverse and veteran-owned firms to participate on Tollway projects. </li><li>Encouraging the industry to bring creativity and innovation to its work on Tollway projects. </li></ul><p>Both Tollway leaders emphasized the need to set clear expectations, and are committed to working in partnership to deliver the benefits of its infrastructure investments to the public. <br /> </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="oypmjzoj" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2022-05-23]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
New Illinois Tollway Leaders Engage Illinois Road Builders Membership
Display date: 2022-05-23
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="wxzulvza" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollways 2022 construction grabbing headlines","name":"20220510 Dan 490 Photo-forweb.png","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollways 2022 construction grabbing headlines","title":"20220510 Dan 490 Photo-forweb.png","type":"document","uuid":"0036d22d-0d80-98fc-8145-283885152bf9","fileEntryId":"1244329","resourcePrimKey":"1244380","url":"/documents/20184/1212222/20220510%20Dan%20490%20Photo-forweb.png/0036d22d-0d80-98fc-8145-283885152bf9?t=1652202230726","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="uaktajdj" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"","name":"20220510 Dan 490 Photo-forweb.png","width":"","description":"","title":"20220510 Dan 490 Photo-forweb.png","type":"document","uuid":"0036d22d-0d80-98fc-8145-283885152bf9","fileEntryId":"1244329","resourcePrimKey":"1244380","url":"/documents/20184/1212222/20220510%20Dan%20490%20Photo-forweb.png/0036d22d-0d80-98fc-8145-283885152bf9?t=1652202230726","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="smhriiud" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway’s 2022 construction grabbing headlines]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="szziptou" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="puofjuoj" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Sprawling construction along the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) and on the new I-490 Tollway is drawing the attention of drivers and media outlets.</p><p>It’s hard to miss—towering cranes and massive backhoes are common sights for drivers as the Illinois Tollway invests nearly $1.5 billion in 2022 to improve and expand its system, with much of that work occurring along I-294, where the agency is widening and reconstructing 22 miles of roadway between Rosemont and Oak Lawn.</p><p>More work is underway to continue constructing I-490, a new Tollway that will skirt O’Hare Airport and, when completed, provide new access to the airport while also creating new links to existing highways.</p><p>Construction during what Interim Executive Director Lanyea Griffin has dubbed the Tollway’s “busiest year” was highlighted by The Daily Herald in its annual overview of Chicago area road work that driver can expect to see.</p><p>The Herald story noted that “the rising star on the Tollway’s roster is I-490, a road on O’Hare International Airport’s western flank that will connect with the Jane Addams (I-9) and Tri-State (I-294) tollways to the north and south, and to Route 390 in the center.”</p><p>Read the Herald story <a target="_blank" href="https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20220502/work-ahead-your-guide-to-2022-roadwork-and-where-the-traffic-will-be">here</a>.</p><p>In its story, the Chicago Tribune also focused on the large-scale, multi-year projects the Tollway is undertaking to relieve congestion and create greater access to local communities and to O’Hare Airport.</p><p>“Work will continue this spring and summer on ongoing highway projects like the Tri-State Tollway construction and widening, (and) creation of a new tollway near O'Hare International Airport,” the Tribune story noted.</p><p>The Chicago Tribune story is available <a target="_blank" href="https://app2.cision.com/#/articles/47483137403?userId=304e29545f6ed20ef68fd9ccb7bcdd1b">here</a>.</p><p>The Journal & Topics Newspapers focused on the construction and economic impact of the new I-490 Tollway in a story featured prominently in its annual Progress edition, a special 56-page supplement describing infrastructure projects occurring across the Northwest suburbs.</p><p>The story noted that while I-490 will provide new access to O’Hare Airport, there also will be related improvements made to nearby local roads like Touhy Avenue that will assist suburbs and businesses located near O’Hare.</p><p>“Local municipal officials see a greater benefit to easing traffic congestion in the Northwest suburbs that the new roads, and associated ramp and feeder projects, are expected to bring,” the story said.</p><p>The Journal & Topics story is available <a target="_blank" href="https://www.journal-topics.com/pageview/viewer/Progress-2022-04-27">here</a>. </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="unnbdbwl" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2022-05-10]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway 2022 construction grabbing headlines
Display date: 2022-05-10
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<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="znauduzs" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Edens Spur Tollway (I-94) Project Selected for 2022 ACEC National Award","name":"20220427 Edens Spur.png","width":"","description":"Edens Spur Tollway (I-94) Project Selected for 2022 ACEC National Award","title":"20220427 Edens Spur.png","type":"journal","uuid":"333374c0-383d-958d-f63e-4ae5a560632b","fileEntryId":"1239833","resourcePrimKey":"1239831","url":"/documents/924058/1239832/20220427%20Edens%20Spur.png/333374c0-383d-958d-f63e-4ae5a560632b?t=1651068202945","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="pncaxhgw" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"","name":"20220427 Edens Spur (1).png","width":"","description":"","title":"20220427 Edens Spur (1).png","type":"journal","uuid":"42523980-a59b-45cf-9139-0998fd9879f8","fileEntryId":"1239842","resourcePrimKey":"1239831","url":"/documents/924058/1239832/20220427%20Edens%20Spur%20%281%29.png/42523980-a59b-45cf-9139-0998fd9879f8?t=1651068203022","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="sxrgkafp" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Edens Spur Tollway (I-94) Project Selected for 2022 ACEC National Award]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="wsjtliuq" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="fxtjmtco" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway Edens Spur Tollway (I-94) Project will be recognized nationally by the American Council of Engineering Companies for exemplary engineering achievement in 2022.</p><p>The Edens Spur Project will receive a Special Recognition Award from ACEC National. The project was eligible for the national award after receiving a 2022 Honor Award from ACEC Illinois.</p><p>The Illinois Tollway completed reconstructing the Edens Spur from Pfingsten Road to the Edens Expressway in November 2020. The $109.1 million project removed and replaced all existing mainline asphalt pavement and included replacing mainline bridges. Additional work included replacing the Pfingsten Road Bridge, repairing the Waukegan Road Bridge over the Edens Spur, constructing the barrier-separated median with stormwater improvements and upgrading ITS and roadway lighting. </p><p>In all, ACEC received 195 entries representing engineering excellence from throughout the nation and the world. The awards will be presented at the 55th Annual Engineering Excellence Awards Gala in Washington, DC, on May 24.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="lkasvjzv" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2022-04-27]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Edens Spur Tollway Project Selected for 2022 ACEC National Award
Display date: 2022-04-27
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<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="prbbaymz" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"APWA Selects TIMS2GO for 2022 Technical Innovation Award","name":"202204-APWA-TIMS2GO.png","width":"","description":"APWA Selects TIMS2GO for 2022 Technical Innovation Award","title":"202204-APWA-TIMS2GO.png","type":"document","uuid":"a8d28348-a4a4-8d57-a78b-bd4615826a2e","fileEntryId":"1236954","resourcePrimKey":"1236974","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/202204-APWA-TIMS2GO.png/a8d28348-a4a4-8d57-a78b-bd4615826a2e?t=1650384922577","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="sdmdtalt" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"","name":"202204-APWA-TIMS2GO.png","width":"","description":"","title":"202204-APWA-TIMS2GO.png","type":"document","uuid":"a8d28348-a4a4-8d57-a78b-bd4615826a2e","fileEntryId":"1236954","resourcePrimKey":"1236974","url":"/documents/20184/1213686/202204-APWA-TIMS2GO.png/a8d28348-a4a4-8d57-a78b-bd4615826a2e?t=1650384922577","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="hmldwjlb" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[APWA Selects TIMS2GO for 2022 Technical Innovation Award]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="uzdnubru" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="odpebmkv" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway’s TIMS2GO mobile incident response tool has earned the American Public Works Association’s 2022 Technical Innovation Award. </p><p>The national award recognizes the development, management and implementation of a creative idea, program, process or system that enhances the delivery of public works services to the public. </p><p>TIMS2GO measures up to those standards. </p><p>The unique mobile app puts all the intelligent transportation system resources of the Illinois Tollway Traffic Operations Center, including its Traffic and Incident Management System (TIMS), in the palms of the hands of traffic managers.</p><p>TIMS2GO gives traffic managers the ability to gather real-time incident information and make better-informed decisions when directing the appropriate resources to respond to incidents anytime from anywhere using any smartphone, tablet or laptop.</p><p>The app provides instant access to livestreaming video, incident details and response status updates. Traffic managers can efficiently share information with Illinois State Police District 15, which is responsible for patrolling the Illinois Tollway system, as well as other emergency responders and roadway maintenance personnel.</p><p>Intelligent transportation system technologies are vital to Illinois Tollway efforts to provide safe and efficient travel for its more than 1.5 million daily drivers. The Tollway has more than 2,200 ITS devices deployed across its 294-mile system in Northern Illinois, providing comprehensive coverage of its five roadways. ITS assets include 1,340 CCTV cameras, 417 vehicle detection systems, 51 dynamic message signs and 21 roadway weather information systems, among other technologies. </p><p>These ITS components are integrated into TIMS, the Tollway’s advanced traffic management system used to detect, monitor and confirm details of traffic and roadway conditions in real time from the Traffic Operations Center at the agency’s headquarters in Downers Grove. Traffic operations technicians use TIMS to communicate those details to roadway operations and maintenance personnel, emergency responders, other traffic management centers in the region, the media and directly motorists using computer-aided dispatch, roadway message signs and internet-based services such as Twitter and Waze.</p><p>The TIMS2GO Mobile Incident Response Tool puts all those ITS resources in the palms of the hands of Illinois Tollway traffic incident managers.</p><p>As a result, the Tollway’s traffic and incident managers can be called upon at any given moment day or night to make informed decisions to effectively guide emergency responders. By quickly receiving all the details of any given incident, emergency responders can take appropriate action and minimize the potential for further injuries or property damage.</p><p>Making traffic and incident management possible anytime from anywhere, the TIMS2GO mobile incident response tool furthers the Tollway’s mission to provide and promote a safe and efficient system of highways while ensuring the highest possible level of service to its customers.</p><p>The Illinois Tollway will be recognized for this achievement at the APWA national conference in August. </p><p>See TIMS2GO in action <a target="_blank" href="https://youtu.be/DCzhn9RdjS4">here</a>.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="nvqjbtxa" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2022-04-19]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
APWA Selects TIMS2GO for 2022 Technical Innovation Award
Display date: 2022-04-19
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<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="xiddvjay" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Garden","name":"CA Garden.png","width":"","description":"Garden","title":"CA Garden.png","type":"document","uuid":"4b2b9d5e-8bf6-4319-bf2a-89a784b5d9be","fileEntryId":"842570","resourcePrimKey":"1234770","url":"/documents/20184/841693/CA%20Garden.png/4b2b9d5e-8bf6-4319-bf2a-89a784b5d9be?t=1587561146844","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="znjeavts" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="nirbnvpx" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Ways to Contribute or Engage in Earth Day This Year]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="szxjoyfi" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="bhrmzakp" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Looking for ways to contribute or engage in this year’s Earth Day? Here are some ideas from across the region. Also, take a moment to read about the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/-/illinois-tollway-surpasses-milestone-of-planting-58-000-trees">Tollway’s fulfillment of our commitment to plant 58,000 trees</a> as a part of our Move Illinois landscape master plan, as well as our <a target="_blank" href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/media-center/inside-the-tollway">significant investments in the region’s wetlands</a>. </p><p>Find an event a get engaged! </p><p>Chicago<br /><a target="_blank" href="https://www.chicagoparent.com/events/rotary-earth-day-cleanup-at-grant-park-in-chicago/">Rotary Earth Day Cleanup at Grant Park in Chicago - Chicago Parent</a></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-insect-asylum-earth-day-celebration-tickets-298915964697?aff=ebdssbdestsearch">The Insect Asylum- Earth Day Celebration Tickets, Fri, Apr 22, 2022 at 11:00 AM | Eventbrite</a></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/an-earth-day-celebration-tickets-295855781607?aff=ebdssbdestsearch">An Earth Day Celebration! Tickets, Sat, Apr 23, 2022 at 1:00 PM | Eventbrite</a></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.chicagoparent.com/events/earth-day-celebration-at-gately-james-park-in-chicago/">Earth Day Celebration at Gately (James) Park in Chicago - Chicago Parent</a></p><p><br />Winnetka <br /><a target="_blank" href="https://www.chicagoparent.com/events/earth-day-celebration-with-the-backyard-nature-center/">Earth Day Celebration with the BackYard Nature Center - Chicago Parent</a></p><p>Lemont<br /><a target="_blank" href="https://www.theforge.gives/">Ecological Conservation And Restoration | The Forge Charitable Adventures</a></p><p>Naperville<br /><a target="_blank" href="http://www.napervilleparks.org/earthweek">www.Napervilleparks.org/earthweek</a></p><p>Wheaton<br /><a target="_blank" href="https://www.chicagoparent.com/events/earth-day-play-date-at-lincoln-marsh-prairie-patch-play-area-in-wheaton/">Earth Day Play Date at Lincoln Marsh- Prairie Patch Play Area in Wheaton - Chicago Parent</a></p><p>South Chicago Heights <br /><a target="_blank" href="https://www.chicagoparent.com/events/earth-day-at-sauk-trail-woods-central-in-south-chicago-heights/">Earth Day at Sauk Trail Woods-Central in South Chicago Heights - Chicago Parent</a></p><p>Willow Springs<br /><a target="_blank" href="https://www.chicagoparent.com/events/earth-day-appreciation-walk-at-little-red-schoolhouse-nature-center-in-willow-springs/">Earth Day Appreciation Walk at Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center in Willow Springs - Chicago Parent</a></p><p>Rockford<br /><a target="_blank" href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/arbor-day-walking-tour-registration-311353445537?aff=ebdssbdestsearch">Arbor Day Walking Tour Registration, Fri, Apr 29, 2022 at 10:00 AM | Eventbrite</a></p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="uxtfuzaj" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2022-04-16]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Ways to Contribute or Engage in Earth Day This Year
Display date: 2022-04-16
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<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="vohbhaeb" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Illinois Tollway Relaunching Expanded Technical Assistance Program","name":"TA-logo-blog_0721-01.jpg","width":"","description":"Illinois Tollway Relaunching Expanded Technical Assistance Program","title":"TA-logo-blog_0721-01.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"0dd524c1-e963-e211-341f-ef01853bfbb1","fileEntryId":"1234738","resourcePrimKey":"1234561","url":"/documents/924058/1234562/TA-logo-blog_0721-01.jpg/0dd524c1-e963-e211-341f-ef01853bfbb1?t=1649874973192","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="rnigmwkf" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="vhvswapn" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Relaunching Expanded Technical Assistance Program]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="slsekfpw" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="xjvnzxie" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>In partnership with Inner-City Underwriting Agency Inc. and the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Illinois Tollway is relaunching its Technical Assistance Program to help small, diverse and veteran-owned firms learn how to succeed in doing business with the Tollway.</p><p>The Tollway will host a series of events for local businesses and community leaders to network with representatives from the Technical Assistance providers and the Tollway at several locations throughout the Chicago area and in Rockford, Aurora and Waukegan. </p><p>“The Illinois Tollway plays a vital role in economic development and job creation throughout Northern Illinois, offering significant opportunities for a diverse range of firms to grow, thrive and make greater contributions to their local communities,” said Interim Illinois Tollway Executive Director Lanyea Griffin. “This event is designed to introduce contractors and consultants to the guidance and tools the Tollway can offer firms to effectively bid on Tollway contracts.” </p><p>The first event is scheduled for April 14, from 3 to 4 p.m., at the Lawndale Christian Health Center, 3750 W. Ogden Avenue in Chicago. To see the Technical Assistance calendar of upcoming events and access online registration, please visit <a target="_blank" href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/technicalassistance">Technical Assistance – Illinois Tollway on the Illinois Tollway’s website</a>. Businesses interested in participating are encouraged to register in advance. </p><p>These events will provide an opportunity for emerging and established transportation-related firms to learn about upcoming Tollway contracts and services available to help prepare to bid. The Tollway’s Technical Assistance Program provides services to both construction and professional engineering services firms.</p><p>“The Illinois Tollway is committed to reaching out to new firms in the Chicago area to share information and promote opportunities to work with the Tollway,” said Tollway Chief of Diversity and Strategic Development Terry Miller. “This event is a great way for Chicago-area companies to learn how to take advantage of business opportunities with the Illinois Tollway.” <br /> <br />The Illinois Tollway’s Technical Assistance Program is intended to increase the pool of small and diverse businesses that are qualified to compete for contracts as prime contractors and subcontractors in the Tollway’s 15-year, $14 billion Move Illinois capital program. The technical assistance services will be provided at no charge to businesses participating in the program, which is open to businesses located in the 12 Northern Illinois counties served by the Tollway.</p><p>Visit the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/technicalassistance">Illinois Tollway Technical Assistance Program web page</a> for details about the program and how it benefits small, diverse and veteran-owned businesses.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="itqqrglw" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2022-04-13]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Relaunching Expanded Technical Assistance Program
Display date: 2022-04-13
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<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="fqnrchdk" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Work Zones are a Sign to Slow Down","name":"WZS-8353-blog_0422.png","width":"","description":"Work Zones are a Sign to Slow Down","title":"WZS-8353-blog_0422.png","type":"journal","uuid":"5aac1408-85d1-3212-39a6-cd2ba6eae20b","fileEntryId":"1234224","resourcePrimKey":"1233735","url":"/documents/924058/1233736/WZS-8353-blog_0422.png/5aac1408-85d1-3212-39a6-cd2ba6eae20b?t=1649789473650","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="kweifsdz" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="kczltrzm" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Work Zones Are a Sign to Slow Down]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="hqupxsma" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="nskdpsmo" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Another historic year of construction means extra attention required at all times.<br /> <br />With construction season ramping up across the state, the Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois State Police, Illinois Tollway, industry partners and frontline construction workers joined forces today for National Work Zone Awareness Week. During another historic year of construction in Illinois, the public is urged to put down the devices, keep their eyes on the road at all times and remember that “Work Zones Are a Sign to Slow Down.” </p><p>“Entering Year Four of Gov. JB Pritzker’s Rebuild Illinois capital program, with a boost from the new federal infrastructure package, you will be seeing active projects all across the state,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman. “Whatever your mode of transportation, if you are traveling in Illinois this year, you will be passing through work zones. The people behind the cones and barricades are someone’s father, mother, son, daughter, friend or neighbor. Please slow down and give them room to work, for your safety and ours.” <br /> <br />The year’s theme for National Work Zone Awareness Week is “Work Zones Are a Sign to Slow Down,” reinforcing the message that the sight of signs alerting you to upcoming construction means decrease your speed and proceed with caution. To call attention to the potential dangers of work zones, Gov. Pritzker has proclaimed April 11-15 as “Work Zone Safety Awareness Week” in Illinois. <br /> <br />At all times, the public should be ready for lane closures, changes in traffic patterns, reduced speed limits and the presence of workers and equipment. To promote safety in the field this week, IDOT is once again promoting “tailgate talks” among its staff to give workers refreshers on work zone protocol. <br /> <br />“As we head into road construction season, the Illinois State Police urges people to slow down, pay attention and be cautious when driving through construction zones,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. “Speeding and being careless while in work zones puts your life, the lives of your passengers, and the lives of workers at risk. Be responsible and slow down.”</p><p>Each year, more than 6,700 motor vehicle crashes on average occur in Illinois work zones, resulting in more than 1,600 injuries. In 2021, 25 people died in work zones in Illinois, none of which were workers, the first time that’s happened since 2015.</p><p>“Safety is always our top priority and we’re constantly looking for ways we can make work zones on our roads safer for everyone, but we need partners to join us in these efforts,” said Illinois Tollway Interim Executive Director Lanyea Griffin. “Our customers can assist us by taking extra precautions in work zones, including slowing down and staying alert for workers and emergency responders. Help them make it safely home to their families.”</p><p>The following guidelines for traveling through work zones should be followed at all times: </p><ul><li>Drop it and drive. Phones and electronic devices down at all times – it’s the law. </li><li>Obey the signs. They will help you safely navigate work zones – and sometimes avoid delays. </li><li>Slow down. The posted speed limits are there for the safety of workers and you. </li><li>Be on the lookout for slowed or stopped traffic. </li><li>Consider the limitations of heavy equipment, trucks and commercial vehicles. Provide them extra distance to come to a complete stop if they are behind you.</li></ul><p>A work zone can take many forms: A maintenance crew patching potholes or collecting litter, a major interstate reconstruction, a minor repair on a neighborhood street or a utility company out in the field. If you see orange, slow down and save lives. </p><p>For additional facts, printable materials and information on projects this year in Illinois, click here or visit <a target="_blank" href="https://idot.illinois.gov/travel-information/roadway-information/Work-Zones/index">idot.click/work-zones</a>. <br /> <br />Work zone safety will be another element of IDOT’s comprehensive multimedia campaign, “It’s Not a Game,” highlighting the fact that there are no extra lives, no respawns and no second chances to get it right with safety on the roads. Visit <a target="_blank" href="https://itsnotagameillinois.com/">itsnotagameillinois.com</a> for more information. </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="jbxttzpx" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2022-04-12]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Work Zones Are a Sign to Slow Down
Display date: 2022-04-12
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="sofwxztg" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Pine Dunes","name":"PineDunes-0264-blog_0422.png","width":"","description":"Pine Dunes","title":"PineDunes-0264-blog_0422.png","type":"journal","uuid":"fd7122a6-d389-9dbb-79b1-e90e1846c714","fileEntryId":"1232571","resourcePrimKey":"1232511","url":"/documents/924058/1232512/PineDunes-0264-blog_0422.png/fd7122a6-d389-9dbb-79b1-e90e1846c714?t=1649438137710","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="gbvrisvt" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"","name":"PineDunes-0264-blog_0422 (1).png","width":"","description":"","title":"PineDunes-0264-blog_0422 (1).png","type":"journal","uuid":"6f13804c-1d0b-7b4e-9339-776106ad82bf","fileEntryId":"1232580","resourcePrimKey":"1232511","url":"/documents/924058/1232512/PineDunes-0264-blog_0422%20%281%29.png/6f13804c-1d0b-7b4e-9339-776106ad82bf?t=1649438137763","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="bwjxmezz" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Projects Creating Wetlands and Preserving the Environment along with Infrastructure]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="ftibqyit" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="keukyhmq" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Illinois Tollway projects aren’t always about roads and bridges; some Tollway projects are about wetlands, woodlands and recreational trails. </p><p>When infrastructure projects intersect with nature, however, transportation agencies are required to mitigate the impact on the local environment and in many cases restore and replace any impacted waters and wetlands affected by a project. </p><p>The Tollway’s investment in the Lake County Forest Preserves’ Pine Dunes serves as an excellent example of how the agency approaches wetland mitigation, providing regional ecological preservation with expanded access for recreational activities to the 315-acre Pine Dunes Forest Preserve near north suburban Wadsworth. </p><p>The Pine Dunes project successfully delivered 58 acres of new wetland creation, 32 acres of wetland enhancement and 3,300 feet of stream restoration, as well as 235 acres of woodland restoration and improvements and conversion of upland farmland to wet prairie, mesic-prairie and oak savanna areas. </p><p>Work at Pine Dunes also included site improvements for the preserve, including nearly 3 miles of new bike and pedestrian trails, three boardwalks, overlook areas, a drinking water well, restroom facilities, parking lot and new entrance road. </p><p>While purchasing mitigation bank credits is one way to fulfill wetland mitigation requirements, the Tollway made it a priority to go beyond its financial responsibilities to forge partnerships with local forest preserve districts, communities and environmental groups and apply its funds to creating and improving wetlands and forest preserves and to delivering additional recreational benefits to forest preserve users. </p><p>Wetland restoration and woodland enhancements included the removal of old agricultural drain tile to re-establish the natural hydrology and water flow, removal of non-native species, control of invasive plants and the planting and seeding of diverse native prairie species. In addition, approximately 4,800 native trees and shrubs were planted in the upland areas.</p><p>It’s often ideal to perform mitigation close to the immediate project area. But for roadway projects in highly developed urban areas like construction of the Illinois Route 390 Tollway and the new I-490 Tollway, location can be a challenge – especially when construction is in and around one of the nation’s busiest airports. The Federal Aviation Administration prohibits the construction of any wetland mitigation project that might attract waterfowl and other birds near an airport. </p><p>So, the Tollway’s goal is to find the next best location keeping environmental priorities in mind. For wetland mitigation projects, that can mean looking for a location within the larger regional watershed to maintain ecological balance and avoid disrupting natural aquatic resources that support plant and animal species within that same region. </p><p>While the Pine Dunes Forest Preserve is in Lake County and the Tollway’s work on the new toll roads is in DuPage and Cook counties – they are all part of the Des Plaines Watershed, which stretches from southeast Wisconsin, through Northeast Illinois and as far south as Will County. </p><p>The site was selected in coordination with federal and state regulators to mitigate construction impacts associated with construction of the Illinois Route 390 Tollway and the new I-490 Tollway. </p><p>The Pine Dunes Forest Preserve features numerous streams, marshes, sedge meadows, ponds and other wetlands, as well as a mix of prairie, savanna and oak-hickory woodlands. These habitats have been identified by the Illinois Wildlife Action Plan, Chicago Wilderness and the Max McGraw Wildlife Foundation as critical nesting and foraging areas for a variety of birds and other wildlife species including European goldfinches, bobolinks, and sandhill cranes.</p><p>The Tollway started its work on the Pine Dunes Mitigation Project began in 2014, the same time construction was starting on the new Illinois Route 390 Tollway. <br />Improvements were completed and opened to the public in 2018. </p><p>After monitoring was completed, the overall mitigation work received sign-off from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in summer 2020 and now an established ecosystem, the site has been turned over to the Lake County Forest Preserve District.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="evvukopp" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2022-04-08]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Projects Creating Wetlands and Preserving the Environment along with Infrastructure
Display date: 2022-04-08
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<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="axta" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"M8-Diversity-3496-blog (1).png","name":"M8-Diversity-3496-blog (1).png","width":"","description":"M8-Diversity-3496-blog (1).png","title":"M8-Diversity-3496-blog (1).png","type":"journal","uuid":"922e0526-87fc-fdd7-1ac9-ce84b21c3f93","fileEntryId":"1219841","resourcePrimKey":"1223084","url":"/documents/883951/989581/M8-Diversity-3496-blog%20%281%29.png/922e0526-87fc-fdd7-1ac9-ce84b21c3f93?t=1647012211059","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="5Ev0r1Xw" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="qzri" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Ensures Small and Diverse Businesses Engaged as Tollway Leads Industry in 3-D Design and Engineering]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="jsjtNQUR" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="asom" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p><img alt="" align="right" style="padding-top: 20px; padding-right: 20px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 20px" src="/documents/20184/1212222/M8-Diversity-3567-blog.png/37c414ee-e4e9-969c-7db4-43fb51d016ec?t=1647012380950" />The Illinois Tollway has been at the forefront of developing Building Information Modeling – or BIM – and the use of digital files for deliverables in design and construction. </p><p>BIM enables engineers to create 3-D models of projects and then integrate the digital files through planning, design, construction and asset management processes. Benefits from using the digital files include not only time and cost savings, but also increased accuracy during to deliver better construction projects. </p><p>As part of its ongoing adoption of this advancing technology, the Tollway’s Department of Diversity and Strategic Development and Engineering Department partnered to offer several opportunities in February for small contractors to expand their knowledge of model-based construction software and equipment and learn how the new technology is being incorporated into Tollway construction contracts.<br /> <br /><img alt="" align="right" style="padding-top: 20px; padding-right: 20px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 20px" src="/documents/20184/1212222/M8-Diversity-03539-blog_0322.jpg/3ece90d3-dca0-4f4c-db9b-f01ef577c142?t=1647012381106" />Focusing on Automated Machine Guidance (AMG) technology for grading, the Tollway offered a Building For Success Webinar offering construction firms an introduction to the technology to increase awareness and encourage adoption of this technology by small and diverse businesses. The webinar also provided a snapshot of upcoming small business contract opportunities that will incorporate AMG and information on Partnering for Growth short-term relationships for advancing technologies. <br /> <br />For firms interested in learning more, the Tollway followed up with two workshops including one day of virtual classroom training and a one day “in the field” demonstration to experience first-hand how AMG works with assistance from contractors already using the technology and equipment vendors. </p><p><img alt="" align="right" style="padding-top: 20px; padding-right: 20px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 20px" src="/documents/20184/1212222/M8-Diversity-0153-blog.png/81c68c64-7cf8-00eb-585d-f214c74f759d?t=1647012380807" />During the virtual classroom training small contractors were able to walk through the basic interface of the software and equipment and then hear from larger firms that have already adopted AMG technology to learn how they as a contractor utilize the models and the benefits that result from adoption of the technology.</p><p>The hands-on demonstration allowed equipment vendors to walk the small firms through the process of taking digital files provided by a designer and integrating them into GPS-based equipment to transmit the model data to construction grading machinery on site including a bulldozer and a hydraulic excavator. Then they were able to discuss how on actual construction site the model data would feed the contractors’ construction equipment, automating the blade to improve the accuracy of the machine performing earthwork. </p><p>The training and demonstrations not only served to introduce participating firms with the benefits and capabilities of model-based construction software, but also provided a better understanding of how the use of digital models increases efficiency and accuracy to build the project to the lines and grades of the contract. The GPS based technology increases the efficiency and accuracy of the equipment, ultimately benefitting a contractors labor and cost to perform the work.</p><p>Participants from 20 different small firms, attended the virtual classroom training that included assistance from Curran Contracting and Plote Construction on February 22, and then nine small firms participated in the February 24 hands-on field demonstration with vendors including Topcon Solutions, Roland Machinery and Sitech Midway and contractors. </p><p>The Illinois Tollway understands the benefits of digital files and the associated AMG technology can bring to the transportation industry and has made accommodations for this in future construction bid packages. By taking this initiative to offer training and access, the Tollway is helping small and diverse contractors stay current with industry trends and ensuring small businesses remain competitive on future contracting opportunities. </p><p>These events are part of the Illinois Tollway's efforts to increase the pool of firms participating in the 15-year, $14 billion Move Illinois capital program and is open to construction and professional engineering services firms, including disadvantaged, minority- and women-owned businesses as well as small and veteran-owned firms.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="ikga" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2022-03-11]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Ensures Small and Diverse Businesses Engaged as Tollway Leads Industry in 3-D Design and Engineering
Display date: 2022-03-11
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<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="gmdf" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"ProfSvcsInternship-blog-0322 (2).jpg","name":"ProfSvcsInternship-blog-0322 (2).jpg","width":"","description":"ProfSvcsInternship-blog-0322 (2).jpg","title":"ProfSvcsInternship-blog-0322 (2).jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"e7722937-27e8-fe06-1787-d4e097605d76","fileEntryId":"1219401","resourcePrimKey":"1223097","url":"/documents/883951/989581/ProfSvcsInternship-blog-0322%20%282%29.jpg/e7722937-27e8-fe06-1787-d4e097605d76?t=1646928572205","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="8ObYRicB" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="piya" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway offering internships to students pursuing engineering, transportation careers]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="2FdEQP23" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="airb" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Along with its annual summer Professional Services Internship Program, the Illinois Tollway is offering a unique, year-long Engineering Cooperative Education Program to enable college students to gain hands-on experience in the transportation industry.</p><p>Interested students can learn more about these opportunities on March 16 when the Tollway will offer two webinars outlining details of the paid programs.</p><p>“We’re offering this intensive, year-long Engineering Cooperative Education Program for engineering students to provide the training and mentoring that will assist them in launching their professional careers,” said Jyoti Rao, pipeline partnership liaison for the Tollway human resources department. “This initiative, along with ongoing summer internship program, is designed to help develop the next generation of leaders in the transportation industry.”</p><p>Through its March 31 deadline, the Illinois Tollway is accepting applications for its year-long engineering co-op program, as well as its 10-week summer Professional Services Internship Program for various internships throughout agency departments including Administration, Internal Audit, Finance, Toll Operations, Planning and Traffic and Incident Management.</p><p>The engineering co-op program will provide instruction in different aspects of the profession, including a planning segment that will include work on bridges and traffic, as well as preparing intergovernmental agreements, a design phase that will include drafting and 3D modeling and a construction phase that will focus on inspection for environmental impacts and drainage, electrical and lighting work and maintenance of traffic.</p><p>It begins May 16 and runs through May 2023.</p><p>The internships – scheduled to run from May 31 through August 5 – offer students real-world experience in different segments of the transportation industry, as well as providing access to leadership and professional growth activities to help further their careers.</p><p>Students selected for both programs also will receive supportive mentoring to help them gain the skills that will enable them to become leaders in their chosen professions.</p><p>Engineering students and other interns participating in these initiatives will have opportunities to contribute to the development and administration of Tollway programs and support the agency on a variety of ongoing projects, including work related to the agency’s 15-year, $14 billion Move Illinois capital program.</p><p>The engineering co-op and summer internships will take place both virtually and onsite at Tollway headquarters in Downers Grove. Some departments will also offer fieldwork experiences and all students will visit two Tollway construction projects to promote a better understanding of the breadth and depth of the agency’s day-to-day operations. </p><p>The Tollway will host a capstone presentation event at the conclusion of the summer Professional Services Internship Program and a networking event to give students the opportunity to connect with other professionals in the regional transportation industry. </p><p>To qualify for the Engineering Cooperative Education Program and Professional Services Internship Program, students must be currently enrolled at an accredited technical/vocational program, college or university.</p><p>Students who are interested in learning more about the opportunities offered by these programs can sign up for the webinars here:</p><p>• Wednesday, March 16th, 12:00PM – 1:00PM CT - <a target="_blank" href="https://illinois2.webex.com/illinois2/j.php?RGID=rbeb03e48ca4c564a9af31681e6062bab">Register Here</a> <br />• Wednesday, March 16th 5:00PM – 6:00PM CT - <a target="_blank" href="https://illinois2.webex.com/illinois2/j.php?RGID=r72baec05712cca4060dc322ec85edacd">Register Here</a></p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="umcg" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2022-03-10]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway offering internships to students pursuing engineering, transportation careers
Display date: 2022-03-10
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<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="vkia" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"THE-2022-blog_0322.png","name":"THE-2022-blog_0322.png","width":"","description":"THE-2022-blog_0322.png","title":"THE-2022-blog_0322.png","type":"journal","uuid":"3ca78ce7-79cf-ae76-c37d-0f97cd260ad4","fileEntryId":"1214009","resourcePrimKey":"1226910","url":"/documents/883951/989581/THE-2022-blog_0322.png/3ca78ce7-79cf-ae76-c37d-0f97cd260ad4?t=1646759387931","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="URwMpk5k" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="jmqh" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Highlights Improvements to the Multimodal Transportation Network in Northern Illinois ]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="M5Wc4odQ" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="tmer" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway is doing its part to advance the state’s reputation as the nation’s most important transportation hub. </p><p>At the annual Illinois Transportation and Highway Engineering Conference in Champaign, Tollway staff highlighted continued investments in strengthening a multimodal transportation network in Northern Illinois and the use of technology and innovation to deliver improvements. </p><p>The conference, hosted by the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, attracts more than 1,000 transportation engineers, officials, technicians and academics from the region. </p><p>Tollway projects serve the many ways people and goods move through Illinois. The Tollway works in collaboration with other transportation and transit agencies and private industry to improve access to airports, meet growing demands in rail freight, accommodate transit and improve recreational trails that connect people and communities. </p><p>Work highlighted by Tollway staff included the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway Bridge over the Tri-State Tollway (I-294), the Prairie Path Underpass on the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), as well as the partnership between the Tollway and Pace Suburban Bus to accommodate transit on the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90).</p><p>Tollway presentations emphasized how the agency uses innovation and technology to improve efficiencies, reduce costs and improve safety. </p><p>The Tollway featured prominently in a workshop on 3D Plan Development/Paperless Document Delivery to talk about how it’s implementing building information modeling – or BIM – technologies to create 3D models of projects and then integrating the digital files through the entire lifecycle of a project, from planning, design and construction to asset management processes.</p><p>The Tollway also demonstrated how innovation extends throughout the agency with a presentation on its Roadway Electric Training System, which was designed by veteran roadway lighting technicians to provide a more efficient, effective way to train probationary technicians. The system was named one of the winners of the Federal Highway Administration’s 2021 Build a Better Mousetrap Competition – the first time an Illinois project has been selected as a winner since the competition began in 2009. </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="grsv" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2022-03-08]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Highlights Improvements to the Multimodal Transportation Network in Northern Illinois
Display date: 2022-03-08
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="aely" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"ChairAbreu-blog_0322.png","name":"ChairAbreu-blog_0322.png","width":"","description":"ChairAbreu-blog_0322.png","title":"ChairAbreu-blog_0322.png","type":"journal","uuid":"cda16874-f153-a614-6000-e7d5ee3081e8","fileEntryId":"1212084","resourcePrimKey":"1226923","url":"/documents/883951/989581/ChairAbreu-blog_0322.png/cda16874-f153-a614-6000-e7d5ee3081e8?t=1646254767177","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="quPO5ArH" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="iqyo" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[New Board Chairwoman Dorothy Abreu Brings Wealth of Experience in Financial Services and Leadership ]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="VY23sjA4" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="rngv" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p><img alt="" align="right" style="padding-top: 20px; padding-right: 20px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 20px" src="/documents/20184/1212222/PNC+Bank-Dorothy+Abreu+Headshot-glasses-for-blog.png/fec4a2c2-8cc6-f643-2838-b9e38ecbaae9?t=1646261850090" /><br />As Dorothy Abreu prepares to take her seat for her first meeting in March, the Illinois Tollway’s new<br />Board Chairwoman brings with her with more than 20 years of experience in financial services, significant public sector experience and an active track record of community service. </p><p>Appointed to the Tollway Board post by Governor JB Pritzker, Abreu, a senior vice president at PNC Bank, will be just the second female to lead the board in the Tollway’s nearly 70 years and the agency’s first Latino chairperson.<br /> <br />“I am honored to serve as the next Tollway Board Chairwoman and CEO and am committed to building on the strong progress made over the past several years,” said Abreu, noting the Tollway’s successful delivery of the 15-year, $14 billion Move Illinois Program on schedule and within budget and the agency’s efforts to bring more diversity in the types and sizes of businesses helping to deliver the capital improvements systemwide. <br /> <br />Most recently, Abreu has worked with PNC’s clients to manage challenges related to COVID-19 pandemic-related disruptions and operational funding needs. <br /> <br />She has also led financing for high-impact projects focused on driving economic development and affordable housing in Illinois’ low- to moderate-income communities - critical skills as the Tollway enters year 11 of the largest capital program in the agency’s history at a point where its projects are having the largest impact on neighboring communities as well as customers.<br /> <br />“The Tollway is a state-of-the-art system with hundreds of miles of roadways connecting millions of customers to work, family and their daily lives,” said Abreu. “With an eye towards strengthening collaboration, equity and transparency, I am eager to get to work to provide our customers with the experience they deserve.” <br /> <br />Abreu has enjoyed a long and successful career in the Illinois banking sector, with responsibilities spanning commercial lending, community development banking and asset management. She is currently a senior vice president for PNC’s Corporate and Institutional Banking group, where she leads the delivery of financial solutions and banking advisory services to public institutions and non-profit organizations in the state. <br /> <br />A graduate of North Park University, Abreu has extensive experience serving on boards of several high-profile organizations. She is the current president of the Latino Policy Forum and serves on the boards of the Chicago Community Loan Fund, Chicago Commons and Chicago Habitat for Humanity.</p><p> </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="xfri" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2022-03-02]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
New Board Chairwoman Dorothy Abreu Brings Wealth of Experience in Financial Services and Leadership
Display date: 2022-03-02
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<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="dhda" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"STEMExpo_2022-blog_0222.png","name":"STEMExpo_2022-blog_0222.png","width":"","description":"STEMExpo_2022-blog_0222.png","title":"STEMExpo_2022-blog_0222.png","type":"journal","uuid":"566973c1-3c6f-a211-e8dd-8fa7e5364e44","fileEntryId":"1209794","resourcePrimKey":"1226936","url":"/documents/883951/989581/STEMExpo_2022-blog_0222.png/566973c1-3c6f-a211-e8dd-8fa7e5364e44?t=1645557220895","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="G7oMM04G" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="kgxy" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Celebrates Engineers Week ]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="n9LnePRq" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="azkq" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway is celebrating Engineers Week by participating in activities that set the groundwork to get students interested in engineering careers, help recruit new talent to positions at the Tollway and support contractors and engineers that do business with the agency. <br /> <br />Engineers Week 2022, February 20-26, is dedicated to ensuring a diverse and well-educated future engineering workforce by increasing understanding of and interest in engineering and technology careers. <br /> <br />“From roadways and bridges to skyscrapers and stadiums, engineers play a central role in driving the economy through science, technology and innovation, so we’re always looking for talented professional engineers to join our team,” said Illinois Tollway Chief Engineering Officer Manar Nashif. <br /> <br />Throughout the year, the Tollway looks for ways to reach out to new, established and potential future engineers, including efforts during this year’s Engineers Week. <br /> <br />To engage students in science and engineering, <a target="_blank" href="https://youtu.be/niTQCRDUKHQ">environmental planners from the Tollway are sharing a hands-on lesson on how to build a Monarch butterfly “puddling station,”</a> a kind of rest area for butterflies to land and sip mineralized water, as part of this week’s DuPage County STEM Expo a virtual exhibition of science, technology, engineering and math activities. <br /> <br />The Tollway’s environmental team has a role to play in every roadway construction and maintenance project – including advancing the agency’s pollinator program to enhance and create habitat for monarch butterflies and other important pollinators along tollway roadsides throughout the 12 counties the Tollway serves. <br /> <br />From the environmental planners to IT specialists, operating the Illinois Tollway requires a variety of professionals with specialties that many job-seekers might not realize, and the Tollway is always looking for the best and brightest to join its team. <br /> <br />Recognizing the challenge, the agency looks for opportunities to showcase what the Tollway has to offer, such as this week’s Black Women in Science and Engineering “Be Seen Career Fair” for engineering and IT professionals. The virtual job fair will feature a chat room where job seekers can talk with Tollway recruiters to learn more about working at the Tollway or <a target="_blank" href="https://youtu.be/ispP-j-n7jQ">check out a video featuring Tollway employees</a>. <br /> <br />Outreach to the heavy highway engineering community is also a key component to the Tollway’s successful delivery of service to customers along with roadway maintenance and improvements. <br /> <br />Events like this week’s meeting with the Federation of Women Contractors offer the Tollway the opportunity to talk about upcoming construction and professional engineering services contracts and discuss questions that construction and engineering firms might have. <br /> <br />“Engineers are instrumental in making the world a better place,” said Nashif. “As we look to the future, engineers are more important than ever as we look to overcome challenges and continue improving the world in which we live.”<br /> </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="ftll" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2022-02-22]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Celebrates Engineers Week
Display date: 2022-02-22
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<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="rojs" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"thumbnail_Blog_1.jpg","name":"thumbnail_Blog_1.jpg","width":"","description":"thumbnail_Blog_1.jpg","title":"thumbnail_Blog_1.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"b18fef70-2df3-5c70-8006-953174510397","fileEntryId":"1208831","resourcePrimKey":"1226949","url":"/documents/883951/989581/thumbnail_Blog_1.jpg/b18fef70-2df3-5c70-8006-953174510397?t=1645211717324","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="8AIxPChH" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="mgyv" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Approves Key Agreement With City of Chicago As New I-490 Tollway Continues to Progress]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="ZDojtUk1" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="epzo" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p><em><strong>Agreement includes land and design parameters necessary to protect airport and ensure access during construction.</strong></em><br /> <br />The Illinois Tollway Board of Directors announced a key agreement with the City of Chicago necessary to construct the new I-490 Tollway – and complete the $3.4 billion Elgin O’Hare Western Access Project investment in the region’s transportation infrastructure. The agreement approved during the February Board meeting positions the Tollway to build and operate a completely new roadway in the shadow of one of the nation’s largest airports, guiding the design efforts and providing land access needed for completion. <br /> <br />“My administration is proud to mark yet another milestone in enhancing transportation in the Chicago metropolitan region, paving the way for additional access to O’Hare," said Governor JB Pritzker. “When complete, this project will enhance access for countless Illinoisans to not only one of the world’s busiest airports, but additional highways, transit centers, businesses and communities throughout the region. I thank our City of Chicago partners for working alongside the Illinois Tollway to see this project through.” <br /> <br />As a result of the recent, historic agreements with the Union Pacific and Canadian Pacific railroads that were necessary for the new I-490 Tollway to cross the Canadian Pacific Railway Bensenville Intermodal Yard, the final design required additional negotiations with the City of Chicago.<br /> <br />This agreement provides additional land, while defining a process by which the design of the southern portion of the new road will be managed and coordinated in complete cooperation with the Chicago Department of Aviation, which owns and operates O’Hare International Airport on behalf of the City of Chicago.<br /> <br />"The amended agreement with the Illinois Tollway, which I will introduce to City Council next week, provides a clear path forward toward the jobs, minority contracting opportunities, and improved airport access offered by the I-490 plan," said Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot. "I thank Commissioner Rhee and her staff for their stewardship in making these negotiations possible, as well as Executive Director Alvarez and the entire Tollway team for their continued partnership in the years ahead."<br /> <br />Currently, this portion of the new I-490 Tollway is still under design, and the agreement provides the Illinois Tollway with a clear framework for the land and construction parameters that are necessary to ensure the continuity of the critical transportation network that operates in the area. A final design is expected later this year, with additional details presented to the Elgin O’Hare Western Access Local Corridor Advisory Committee, as well as local and regional stakeholders, and the public at large this summer. <br /> <br />“The level of partnership required between the Tollway, City of Chicago, Chicago Department of Aviation and the railroads to achieve our mutual goals on this complex project cannot be understated,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “I’d like to thank Mayor Lori Lightfoot, Commissioner Rhee and her entire team, and reiterate our thanks to the railroad leadership, as well as local, state and federal stakeholders for their continued support.” <br /> <br />The agreement approved by the Tollway will be introduced to the Chicago City Council by Mayor Lightfoot and referred to the City Council Committee on Aviation for its review and consideration.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="poyo" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2022-02-18]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Approves Key Agreement With City of Chicago As New I-490 Tollway Continues to Progress
Display date: 2022-02-18
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<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="taiv" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Snowplo_5621-blog_0222.jpg","name":"Snowplo_5621-blog_0222.jpg","width":"","description":"Snowplo_5621-blog_0222.jpg","title":"Snowplo_5621-blog_0222.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"9da576aa-948e-4524-94c4-61da4ff1a4cc","fileEntryId":"1208545","resourcePrimKey":"1226962","url":"/documents/883951/989581/Snowplo_5621-blog_0222.jpg/9da576aa-948e-4524-94c4-61da4ff1a4cc?t=1645132102262","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="LiEz7Skt" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="msyh" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Responding to Winter Storm]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="zO6zc3BE" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="ldpx" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Drivers reminded to reduce speed and move over for vehicles stopped along the road. </p><p>The Illinois Tollway is deploying its full fleet of 196 snowplows in response to freezing rain, sleet and snow expected to move into the area early Thursday, possibly creating changing pavement conditions and scattered icy patches that could affect drivers during their morning and evening commutes. The Tollway’s Snow Operations Center is open to manage the agency’s systemwide response.</p><p>“Our crews will be working throughout this storm to keep the roads clear and our customers safe, but we are asking drivers to help us by giving plows and emergency vehicles the extra room they need to safely do their work,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “We are reminding drivers to please slow down and allow extra time to complete their trips, and to be alert for areas where blowing snow could reduce visibility.” To respond to this weather event, the Illinois Tollway has a full complement of more than 200 staff and supervisors working per shift to ensure that roadways are kept clear of snow and ice. </p><p>Drivers whose vehicles become disabled should activate their hazard lights and dial *999 from a cellphone for assistance from Illinois State Police District 15. Drivers should note the roadway they are using, as well as the direction of travel and nearest milepost or crossroad. For crashes involving property damage only, drivers should report the incident to 630-241-6800 ext. 5042 and continue driving.</p><p>To receive real-time information on pavement conditions and roadway incidents, drivers should up for Tollway Trip Tweets at twitter.com from the Tollway’s website at illinoistollway.com. Tweeters can follow all five Tollway Trips or just the roadways that interest them. The five are: @94_294_Tollway, @I_90_Tollway, @I_88_Tollway, @I_355_Tollway and @IL_390_Tollway. </p><p><strong>Before traveling, customers can access live camera feeds that offer “bird’s-eye” views from more than 20 different locations along the Tollway system.</strong> The camera feeds are easily accessible on the “Interactive Tollway Map” at illinoistollway.com. The Illinois Tollway reminds motorists the state’s “Move Over Law” requires motorists to change lanes or to slow down and proceed with caution when passing any vehicle on the side of the road with hazard lights activated.</p><p><strong>Drivers also should use caution when passing snowplows. </strong>During heavy snowfall, snowplows often work in tandem to remove as much ice, slush and snow as possible from all lanes at once. When it is safe to pass, the plows spread out and allow traffic to flow around them.</p><p><strong>Tollway Travel Tips</strong><br />The Tollway offers the following tips for winter weather events</p><ul><li>Slow down and leave enough time to reach your destination.</li><li>Do not make sudden lane changes and always use your turn signal.</li><li>Don't follow too closely and increase your intervals between vehicles.</li><li>Remember to always wear your safety belt and ensure children under the age of 8 are securely restrained in child safety seats.</li><li>Clear snow from your vehicle before driving to ensure adequate visibility.</li><li>Drop It and Drive. Don't text or use a hand-held cellphone while driving. Both are illegal.</li></ul><p><strong>About the Illinois Tollway</strong><br />The Illinois Tollway is a user-fee system that receives no state or federal funds for maintenance and operations. The agency maintains and operates 294 miles of roadways in 12 counties in Northern Illinois, including the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355), the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80) and the Illinois Route 390 Tollway.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="xanb" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2022-02-17]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Responding to Winter Storm
Display date: 2022-02-17
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<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="endr" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"SinglePlow-blog_9073.png","name":"SinglePlow-blog_9073.png","width":"","description":"SinglePlow-blog_9073.png","title":"SinglePlow-blog_9073.png","type":"journal","uuid":"859036c8-4f1d-a6b4-c37d-a41543fac9e0","fileEntryId":"1204248","resourcePrimKey":"1226975","url":"/documents/883951/989581/SinglePlow-blog_9073.png/859036c8-4f1d-a6b4-c37d-a41543fac9e0?t=1643744868440","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="JvqElMc3" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="jxiz" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Prepared for Overnight Winter Storm]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="IFir9rTV" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="irxa" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p><strong>Drivers reminded to slow down, allow extra room for plows and emergency vehicles.</strong></p><p>The Illinois Tollway is mobilizing its full fleet of 196 snowplows in response to sleet and snow moving into the area tonight and continuing through Wednesday, possibly causing variable pavement conditions in some areas that could affect drivers during their morning and evening commutes. The Tollway’s Snow Operations Center is open to manage the agency’s systemwide response to the storm.<br /> <br />“We’re focused on keeping our customers safe throughout this storm by quickly removing snow and ice from our roads and by rapidly responding to any drivers who need assistance,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “We’re asking drivers to please help us by slowing down, allowing extra time to safely reach their destinations and by giving our snowplows the extra room they need to keep the roads clear.”</p><p>To respond to this weather event, the Illinois Tollway has a full complement of more than 200 staff and supervisors working per shift to ensure that roadways are kept clear of snow and ice. </p><p>Drivers whose vehicles become disabled should activate their hazard lights and dial *999 from a cellphone for assistance from Illinois State Police District 15. Drivers should note the roadway they are using, as well as the direction of travel and nearest milepost or crossroad. For crashes involving property damage only, drivers should report the incident to 630-241-6800 ext. 5042 and continue driving.</p><p>To receive real-time information on pavement conditions and roadway incidents, drivers should up for Tollway Trip Tweets at <a target="_blank" href="http://www.twitter.com">twitter.com</a> from the Tollway’s website at <a target="_blank" href="http://www.illinoistollway.com">illinoistollway.com</a>. Tweeters can follow all five Tollway Trips or just the roadways that interest them. The five are: @94_294_Tollway, @I_90_Tollway, @I_88_Tollway, @I_355_Tollway and @IL_390_Tollway.<br /> <br />The Illinois Tollway reminds motorists the state’s “Move Over Law” requires motorists to change lanes or to slow down and proceed with caution when passing any vehicle on the side of the road with hazard lights activated.</p><p>Drivers also should use caution when passing snowplows. During heavy snowfall, snowplows often work in tandem to remove as much ice, slush and snow as possible from all lanes at once. When it is safe to pass, the plows spread out and allow traffic to flow around them.</p><p><strong>Winter Weather Travel Tips</strong><br />The Tollway offers the following travel tips to keep safe during dangerously cold weather:<br />• <strong>Be sure your cell phone is fully charged</strong> before heading out. <br />• <strong>Be sure tires are properly inflated</strong> during cold weather. Tires lose a pound of pressure for every 10 degrees the temperature drops. <br />• <strong>Keep your gas tank at least half full</strong> to avoid gas line freeze-up and ensure that you have extra to account for additional driving time if the weather is unfavorable. <br />• <strong>Keep a cold weather safety kit</strong> in your car that includes gloves, boots, blankets, road flares, water and a flashlight with fresh batteries. <br />• Stranded motorists should <strong>turn on their emergency lights and remain in their vehicles</strong> until help arrives. <br />• Cell phone users should <strong>call *999 motorist assistance</strong> for roadway assistance and note the roadway and direction of travel and nearest milepost or crossroad.</p><p><strong>About the Illinois Tollway</strong><br />The Illinois Tollway is a user-fee system that receives no state or federal funds for maintenance and operations. The agency maintains and operates 294 miles of roadways in 12 counties in Northern Illinois, including the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355), the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80) and the Illinois Route 390 Tollway.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="ujst" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2022-02-01]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Prepared for Overnight Winter Storm
Display date: 2022-02-01
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<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="mkcq" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"ACEC-JAlvarez-blog_0122.png","name":"ACEC-JAlvarez-blog_0122.png","width":"","description":"ACEC-JAlvarez-blog_0122.png","title":"ACEC-JAlvarez-blog_0122.png","type":"journal","uuid":"23d84eef-21e1-65e2-e223-6842c7dd7e67","fileEntryId":"1202375","resourcePrimKey":"1226988","url":"/documents/883951/989581/ACEC-JAlvarez-blog_0122.png/23d84eef-21e1-65e2-e223-6842c7dd7e67?t=1643217302741","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="0a7V7EAA" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="upod" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Kicks Off 2022 With a Look Back, and Ahead for ACEC Members]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="q44tCD8g" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="tyhk" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The beginning of the new year was a chance for the Illinois Tollway to not only share future priorities, but also recognize the contributions of Illinois’ engineering community towards the progress made across the region on the Tollway system. </p><p>Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez met this week with members of the American Council of Engineering Companies of Illinois at the ACEC Illinois Regional Luncheon for the first opportunity of 2022 to connect with engineers from throughout Northern Illinois. There he laid out the Tollway’s coming year with regard to professional services, while highlighting the collaboration that’s led to significant progress as the 15-year, $14 billion Move Illinois Program enters its 11th year. </p><p>The Tollway relies upon professional engineering services firms to provide their knowledge and expertise in the planning, design and management of capital improvement projects. The Tollway is counting on the engineering community to continue its great work to keep Move Illinois on track and at the forefront of the tolling and transportation industry in the years ahead.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="zifv" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2022-01-26]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Kicks Off 2022 With a Look Back, and Ahead for ACEC Members
Display date: 2022-01-26
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="vxjx" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"ACEC-Zucchero-4-blog.png","name":"ACEC-Zucchero-4-blog.png","width":"","description":"ACEC-Zucchero-4-blog.png","title":"ACEC-Zucchero-4-blog.png","type":"journal","uuid":"babd54cd-dd24-52d7-fe27-a581fe4629ff","fileEntryId":"1201033","resourcePrimKey":"1227001","url":"/documents/883951/989581/ACEC-Zucchero-4-blog.png/babd54cd-dd24-52d7-fe27-a581fe4629ff?t=1642790908434","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="bSoDFLT8" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="atzr" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway provides emerging leaders with insights into how it works for local improvements]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="j6OCIg7H" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="qdtq" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway provided up-and-coming engineering professionals with an in-depth look at the various ways transportation agencies can work in collaboration with local municipalities and other agencies to address regional transportation challenges. <br /> <br />The American Council of Engineering Companies of Illinois Emerging Leadership Program hosted a presentation by Illinois Tollway Chief Planning Officer Rocco Zucchero, who shared his insights on the planning process and resources available to fund transportation projects. <br /> <br />“It’s all about upfront coordination,” Zucchero said. “If someone wants something, this is how it gets done – by working together to identify opportunities to improve mobility and accessibility and make the most of the limited financial resources available.” <br /> <br />Zucchero detailed the variety of resources available in planning transportation projects, including the Illinois Tollway Roadway and Interchange Cost Sharing Policy and planning studies to assess future travel demand and determine the most appropriate types of transportation improvements needed. <br /> <br />He also discussed the Tollway’s planning and design process, which can include establishing corridor planning councils made up of local elected officials, communities, regional agencies and others, as well as how to leverage funding such as federal Congestion and Mitigation Air-Quality grants. <br /> <br />Zucchero highlighted several real-world examples of roadway and interchange improvements that have been successfully delivered or are currently underway using this collaborative approach. <br /> <br />For example, the Tollway Roadway and Interchange Cost Sharing Policy served as a guide to working with the City of Marengo, McHenry County and IDOT to make improvements to the Illinois Route 23 Interchange. The policy establishes a framework for infrastructure improvements, requiring local communities to take the lead in demonstrating the need, soliciting support and covering no less than half the project costs. <br /> <br />On a larger scale, the Tollway established the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Corridor Planning Council to help develop a common understanding of the issues and concerns needed to be addressed in the reconstruction of the I-294 corridor. The council played a key role in developing a regional solution that maximizes the value of investments in the I-294 corridor to provide congestion relief, meet current and future travel needs, address several quality-of-life concerns, accommodate transit and freight needs, implement cutting-edge technologies and improve regional stormwater management. </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="nbek" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2022-01-20]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway provides emerging leaders with insights into how it works for local improvements
Display date: 2022-01-20
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="cmix" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"WinterRoad-blog_0328 (1).jpg","name":"WinterRoad-blog_0328 (1).jpg","width":"","description":"WinterRoad-blog_0328 (1).jpg","title":"WinterRoad-blog_0328 (1).jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"1ba852de-94e6-38c7-ddb6-27fdb10f255d","fileEntryId":"1199390","resourcePrimKey":"1227014","url":"/documents/883951/989581/WinterRoad-blog_0328%20%281%29.jpg/1ba852de-94e6-38c7-ddb6-27fdb10f255d?t=1642541239432","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="qLQOkB7S" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="ovzy" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[During dangerously cold weather, Zero Weather Road Patrols provide extra help to Illinois Tollway customers ]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="Z8NZNMju" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="vgml" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>When winter temperatures plunge and wind chills fall dangerously low, the Illinois Tollway steps up to provide extra roadside help to customers who are stranded or need assistance on the Tollway system.<br /> <br />The extra help comes from special Zero Weather Road Patrols the Tollway operates around the clock during winter cold spells to more rapidly find and assist drivers whose vehicles have become disabled along the road <br /> <br />The patrols typically run whenever temperatures or sustained wind chills fall below zero degrees to bolster the roadway assistance already provided by the Tollway’s Highway Emergency Lane Patrol (H.E.L.P.) trucks and the Illinois State Police.<br /> <br />“Safety is always our top priority and it is especially critical during dangerously cold weather that we quickly locate and assist customers on our roads who need help,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “Operating these patrols puts extra crews on the road to better protect our customers and provide an extra layer of safety for drivers who are stranded or need assistance.”<br /> <br />In early January, during the first cold spell of 2022, Zero Weather Road Patrols operated for five days and stopped to assist or check on more than 500 drivers traveling on the Tollway system. Roadway maintenance workers operating the patrols assisted drivers with numerous issues, including flat tires, overheated engines or arranging a tow.<br /> <br />“Our Zero Patrol crews help drivers quickly resolve their situations and then safely get them back to their travels,” said Darrion Robinson, Illinois Tollway deputy chief of maintenance and traffic. “Customers frequently thank us for the assistance and the service we provide during these patrols.”<br /> <br />The 24-hour Zero Weather Road Patrols search for drivers stranded in disabled vehicles and also respond to calls that come in to *999 motorist assistance, Illinois Tollway dispatch or Illinois State Police District 15.<br /> <br />Drivers who becomes stranded along the Tollway system should dial *999 for assistance and remain in their vehicle until help arrives.<br /> <br />While Tollway H.E.L.P. trucks sponsored by State Farm run from 4 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday, a minimum of 12 Zero Weather Road Patrols provide additional coverage throughout the day and night, including weekends. Additionally, Illinois State Police District 15 patrol the Tollway system 24 hours a day, seven days a week.<br /> <br />The Zero Weather Road Patrols consist of crew cab trucks equipped with arrow boards for directing traffic around accidents or stranded vehicles and accommodate passengers if motorists need to be transported to a Tollway maintenance garage, toll plaza or Tollway oasis while service is obtained.<br /> <br />As a precaution against the spread of COVID-19, glass partitions have been installed between the front and rear seats in motorist aid trucks and H.E.L.P. trucks to protect customers and Tollway workers operating the vehicles. Those vehicles also carry masks and hand sanitizer as additional precautions against COVID-19.<br /> <br />Drivers planning to use the Tollway system can obtain real-time roadway incident information and weather conditions are available via Tollway Trip Tweets at <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/I_90_Tollway">Tollway Trip 90</a>, <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/I_88_Tollway">Tollway Trip 88</a>, <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/I_355_Tollway">Tollway Trip 355</a>, <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/94_294_Tollway">Tollway Trip 94/294</a> and <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/IL_390_Tollway">Tollway Trip 390</a> or via the Traveler Quick Links on the Tollway’s website.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="xshc" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2022-01-18]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
During dangerously cold weather, Zero Weather Road Patrols provide extra help to Illinois Tollway customers
Display date: 2022-01-18
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="thoi" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"HELP-winter-blog-0383.jpg","name":"HELP-winter-blog-0383.jpg","width":"","description":"HELP-winter-blog-0383.jpg","title":"HELP-winter-blog-0383.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"71a56c31-5389-43a7-893c-965c980de15e","fileEntryId":"1195549","resourcePrimKey":"1227027","url":"/documents/883951/989581/HELP-winter-blog-0383.jpg/71a56c31-5389-43a7-893c-965c980de15e?t=1641498274577","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="tmKxGo9X" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="fhzg" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Begins Zero Weather Road Patrols To Assist Customers During Dangerous Cold And Wind Chills]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="60EN2rJm" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="eava" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway is deploying around-the-clock Zero Weather Road Patrols to more quickly locate and assist customers who become stranded on the Tollway system during the cold weather and dangerous wind chills forecast to continue into the weekend.<br /> <br />The Illinois Tollway typically operates Zero Weather Road Patrols whenever temperatures or sustained wind chills fall below zero degrees to bolster the roadway assistance already provided by the Illinois Tollway’s Highway Emergency Lane Patrol (H.E.L.P.) trucks and the Illinois State Police.</p><p>The 24-hour Zero Weather Road Patrols search for drivers stranded in disabled vehicles and also respond to calls that come in to *999 motorist assistance, Illinois Tollway dispatch or Illinois State Police District 15.<br /> <br />“We’re putting additional crews out on our roads during this dangerously cold weather to more rapidly assist and better protect customers who become stranded or need help,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “Safety is our highest priority, and during these extreme conditions we are taking this step to provide an additional layer of safety for drivers traveling on our system.”</p><p>Drivers who becomes stranded along the Tollway system should dial *999 for assistance and remain in their vehicle until help arrives.<br /> <br />While Tollway H.E.L.P. trucks sponsored by State Farm run from 4 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday, a minimum of 12 Zero Weather Road Patrols provide additional coverage throughout the day and night, including weekends.</p><p>Additionally, Illinois State Police District 15 patrol the Tollway system 24 hours a day, seven days a week.<br /> <br />The Zero Weather Road Patrols consist of crew cab trucks equipped with arrow boards for directing traffic around accidents or stranded vehicles and accommodate passengers if motorists need to be transported to a Tollway maintenance garage, toll plaza or Tollway oasis while service is obtained.</p><p>As a precaution against the spread of COVID-19, glass partitions have been installed between the front and rear seats in motorist aid trucks and H.E.L.P. trucks to protect customers and Tollway workers operating the vehicles. Those vehicles also carry masks and hand sanitizer as additional precautions against COVID-19.<br /> <br />Cars or trucks with empty fuel tanks, flat tires, batteries needing a boost, or overheated radiators are just some of the most frequent problems reported among drivers needing help.</p><p>The Illinois Tollway reminds motorists that real-time roadway incident information and weather conditions are available via Tollway Trip Tweets at Tollway Trip 90, Tollway Trip 88, Tollway Trip 355, Tollway Trip 94/294 and Tollway Trip 390 or via the Traveler Quick Links on the Tollway’s website.</p><p><strong>Winter Weather Travel Tips</strong><br />The Tollway offers the following travel tips to keep safe during dangerously cold weather:</p><ul><li>Cell phone users should <strong>call *999 motorist assistance</strong> for roadway assistance and note the roadway and direction of travel and nearest milepost or crossroad.</li><li><strong>Be sure your cell phone is fully charged</strong> before heading out. </li><li><strong>Be sure tires are properly inflated</strong> during cold weather. Tires lose a pound of pressure for every 10 degrees the temperature drops. </li><li><strong>Keep your gas tank at least half full</strong> to avoid gas line freeze-up and ensure that you have extra to account for additional driving time if the weather is unfavorable. </li><li><strong>Keep a cold weather safety kit</strong> in your car that includes gloves, boots, blankets, road flares, water and a flashlight with fresh batteries. </li><li>Stranded motorists should <strong>turn on their emergency lights and remain in their vehicles</strong> until help arrives. </li></ul><p> <br /><strong>About the Illinois Tollway</strong><br />The Illinois Tollway is a user-fee system that receives no state or federal funds for maintenance and operations. The agency maintains and operates 294 miles of roadways in 12 counties in Northern Illinois, including the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355), the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80) and the Illinois Route 390 Tollway.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="jenm" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2022-01-06]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Begins Zero Weather Road Patrols To Assist Customers During Dangerous Cold And Wind Chills
Display date: 2022-01-06
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="jjnf" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Sample_1.jpg","name":"Sample_1.jpg","width":"","description":"Sample_1.jpg","title":"Sample_1.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"f4c1642d-1b58-e374-865b-2cb51b0c1af0","fileEntryId":"1191622","resourcePrimKey":"1227040","url":"/documents/883951/989581/Sample_1.jpg/f4c1642d-1b58-e374-865b-2cb51b0c1af0?t=1640109997563","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="FwkbyNup" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="jlyi" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway working to make holiday travel convenient for customers]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="mCgVWyOp" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="hdev" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p><em>For gift giving, out-of-town visitors or rental cars – I-PASS has it covered.</em></p><p>The Illinois Tollway is working to help customers take some of the stress out of holiday travel over the upcoming Christmas and New Year’s weekends.</p><p>“The Illinois Tollway wishes a safe and happy holiday season to all of our customers,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “From us to you, we’ll continue working to help make travel easier and convenient.”</p><p>Nearly 1.3 million vehicles are expected to travel on the Tollway system on Friday, December 24, and 1.1 million on Christmas Day. Approximately 1.3 million vehicles are expected on the Tollway system on Friday, December 31, and 1.1 million on New Year’s Day. On an average day, just under 1.6 million vehicles use the Illinois Tollway.</p><p>Ongoing construction activity will be restricted to better serve Tollway customers during holiday travel with any temporary maintenance and construction lane closures suspended from noon on Thursday, December 23, through 9 a.m. on Monday, December 27, and again from noon on Thursday, December 30, through 9 a.m. on Monday, January 3. Some construction work zones may remain in place, so drivers are reminded to slow down and obey work zone speed limits.</p><p><strong>Welcoming out-of-town visitors?</strong><br />Tollway customers can share the convenience of I-PASS by temporarily adding license plates of out-of-town family and friends to their I-PASS accounts. Account holders can update their accounts online at <a target="_blank" href="http://www.getipass.com">www.getipass.com</a> or by calling 800-UCI-PASS.</p><p><strong>Last minute gift giving?</strong><br />I-PASS is available for purchase at any Jewel-Osco customer service counter in Northern Illinois, at select locations in Northwest Indiana or at any Illinois Tollway Customer Service Center. With I-PASS, passenger vehicle customers pay 50 percent less in tolls, while enjoying all the benefits of I-PASS.</p><p><strong>Renting a car?</strong><br />Before you hit the road, be sure to add the rental plate as well as the start and end dates for the rental period to your I-PASS account. I-PASS is accepted in 19 states and within more than 35 tolling agencies. As a member of the E-ZPass IAG consortium, you have the luxury of traveling worry free.</p><p><strong>Need roadside assistance?</strong><br />Drivers should call *999 to get help from Tollway roadway maintenance crews or from Illinois State Police District 15 who patrol the Tollway system 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Motorist aid patrols stand ready to help stranded customers change tires, jump-start batteries, add coolant, dispense fuel, transport customers, move vehicles away from traffic and call for a tow truck.</p><p><strong>About the Illinois Tollway</strong><br />The Illinois Tollway is a user-fee system that receives no state or federal funds for maintenance and operations. The agency maintains and operates 294 miles of roadways in 12 counties in Northern Illinois, including the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355), the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80) and the Illinois Route 390 Tollway.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="dmyy" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-12-21]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway working to make holiday travel convenient for customers
Display date: 2021-12-21
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="utvo" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"ITE-Tollway-blog_1121.png","name":"ITE-Tollway-blog_1121.png","width":"","description":"ITE-Tollway-blog_1121.png","title":"ITE-Tollway-blog_1121.png","type":"journal","uuid":"e752c211-59d8-43cc-ad00-bebee17d2011","fileEntryId":"1181172","resourcePrimKey":"1227066","url":"/documents/883951/989581/ITE-Tollway-blog_1121.png/e752c211-59d8-43cc-ad00-bebee17d2011?t=1637610753394","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="xFLs8XAi" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="vbsf" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Updates Area Engineers on Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Project]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="OLtrauwG" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="qexc" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway detailed technical aspects and the status of the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Project to area engineers at a virtual luncheon hosted recently by the Institute of Technical Engineers, Illinois Section. </p><p>Lanyea Griffin, deputy chief of program implementation for the Tollway, spoke to the group of more than 40 transportation professionals from area professional engineering services firms and public agencies at the ITE Illinois event.</p><p>“Anyone driving the Central Tri-State corridor today will see the ongoing work as we approach major milestones in 2022,” said Griffin, who is responsible for the implementation of the I-294 Project. </p><p>Griffin detailed for the engineering group the significant progress that the Tollway has made so far and provided an update on ongoing work on the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway Bridge, the new southbound Mile Long Bridge structure and mainline work on the southern section of I-294 between I-55 and 95th Street. </p><p>Griffin also spotlighted other key projects that are of great interest to engineers: the 87th Street/Roberts Road Bridge, mainline reconstruction between I-55 and I-290 and reconfiguration of the I-290/I-88 Interchange. These projects will deliver significant benefits to drivers and local communities. </p><p>For more information on the I-294 Project, visit the Projects & Initiatives page of the Tollway website. </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="jzoq" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-11-22]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Updates Area Engineers on Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Project
Display date: 2021-11-22
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="rooi" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"I-355-Drainage-Marking-blog_1121.png","name":"I-355-Drainage-Marking-blog_1121.png","width":"","description":"I-355-Drainage-Marking-blog_1121.png","title":"I-355-Drainage-Marking-blog_1121.png","type":"journal","uuid":"0cdf1516-dcf6-d888-dd13-62378485046e","fileEntryId":"1181265","resourcePrimKey":"1227053","url":"/documents/883951/989581/I-355-Drainage-Marking-blog_1121.png/0cdf1516-dcf6-d888-dd13-62378485046e?t=1637611641523","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="9B1TLs5w" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="jqtr" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[As Seen on the Illinois Tollway: Yellow Drainage Markings]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="TvFSuVKl" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="igal" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Illinois Tollway customers may wonder what those vertical yellow markings are they see on concrete median barriers throughout the Tollway system. </p><p>With winter rapidly approaching, now is a good time to provide an answer. </p><p>Those yellow markings indicate where catch basins are located, much in the way that underground utilities such as sewers, gas and electric are marked by colored flags, stakes or paint by J.U.L.I.E., the Joint Utility Locating Information for Excavators service. </p><p>The yellow markings let Tollway snowplow operators know where these drainage structures are located so they can be sure to clear them when there’s heavy snow or ice storms. Roadway Maintenance keeps an eye on these catch basins year-round – especially during heavy rainfall – to make sure they don’t get clogged up, which could result in flooding on the roadways. </p><p>There are more than 24,000 catch basins on the Tollway system, mostly in urban and suburban areas where concrete median barriers are installed. So, it’s not unusual to see the yellow markings about every couple hundred feet apart in some segments of the Tollway system. </p><p>Catch basins are installed in the median so that water doesn’t have to cross all lanes of the roadway, clearing water off the road faster and giving it less time to freeze in winter conditions. Instead, the water flows into the median drainage facilities and passes through pipes that generally cross perpendicularly under the roadway to allow water to continue to flow from one side of the roadway to the other. </p><p>In rural areas, stormwater is allowed to run off onto grassy medians. </p><p>The yellow markings also help Tollway traffic technicians in the Traffic Operations Center use CCTV cameras to quickly identify the location of catch basins in the event there’s an incident on the roadway that involves an oil or gas spill. Roadway maintenance crews on the scene can be directed to make sure the spills don’t make it to the basins. Though the markings aren’t reflective, the bright yellow color makes them easy to see under the LED lighting throughout the Tollway system. </p><p>An effective drainage system is vital to preventing flooding and minimizing the environmental impact of stormwater runoff on surrounding waterways. These drainage facilities are part of an extensive network of stormwater facilities that include culverts, detention ponds, wetlands, bioswales and other natural or man-made structures. </p><p>Together, this system helps to intercept stormwater runoff, store it and slowly release it farther away from the roadway. Tollway drainage structures are designed handle a 50-year flood event, which is defined as a rainfall event that has a 2 percent chance of happening in a given year. </p><p>The Tollway uses best management practices in the design of its drainage facilities to ensure stormwater quality as part of its overall environmental efforts. The drainage facilities capture harmful pollutants such as heavy metals from tires, brakes and engine wear; hydrocarbons from exhaust or lubricating fluids; and chlorides from winter roadway maintenance operations before they reach area waterways. These pollutants stay in the pipes until they deteriorate and become less of an environmental threat. </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="atyb" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-11-22]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
As Seen on the Illinois Tollway: Yellow Drainage Markings
Display date: 2021-11-22
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="mktv" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"WinterWeatherEvent-3052-blog_1121.png","name":"WinterWeatherEvent-3052-blog_1121.png","width":"","description":"WinterWeatherEvent-3052-blog_1121.png","title":"WinterWeatherEvent-3052-blog_1121.png","type":"journal","uuid":"d6dca2f3-d8e1-7da1-84c9-16a151c2fc6e","fileEntryId":"1179034","resourcePrimKey":"1227079","url":"/documents/883951/989581/WinterWeatherEvent-3052-blog_1121.png/d6dca2f3-d8e1-7da1-84c9-16a151c2fc6e?t=1637171546127","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="Pik3kfK9" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="cyxo" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway reminds customers to be prepared for winter driving]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="szQZZaOF" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="jcvh" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway is ready for winter, but are you?</p><p>When winter storms strike, the Tollway moves rapidly to clear its roads but drivers still need to be prepared to deal with snow, sleet, freezing rain and other difficult weather when they get behind the wheel.</p><p>“Winter can be a challenging time for drivers but we’re committed to providing whatever equipment and staffing required to keep our roads clear and safe for our customers this winter,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “But we’re urging our customers to take a few simple precautions when driving this winter to help us protect them, as well as our roadway workers and emergency responders, so that we can all safely reach our destinations.”</p><p>To stay safe while driving this winter remember to:</p><ul><li>Slow down and leave enough time to reach your destination.</li><li>Steer clear of other vehicles by increasing your distance from them, particularly plows and other emergency vehicles. Tollway trucks have been struck by other vehicles 21 times so far this year, endangering our roadway workers and the drivers themselves.</li><li>Avoid sudden lane changes and always use your turn signal.</li><li>Always wear your safety belt and ensure children under the age of 8 are securely restrained in child safety seats.</li><li>Dial *999 if you need roadside assistance. Stay inside your vehicle if it becomes disabled, turn on your hazard lights, and if possible, park safely on the shoulder. Dial *999 and help will be dispatched to your location.</li><li>Drop It and Drive. Don't text or use a hand-held cellphone while driving. Both are illegal. </li><li>Give Them Distance. The Move Over Law requires drivers to slow down and, if possible, safely change lanes whenever they approach a stopped vehicle that has its hazard lights flashing.</li></ul>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="vlpn" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-11-17]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway reminds customers to be prepared for winter driving
Display date: 2021-11-17
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<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="gvsm" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"1177281","groupId":"20184","name":"54955","alt":"Blog_Image_Veterans.jpg","title":"Blog_Image_Veterans.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"00f2c02d-a66a-bcbb-8383-202c5dc240db","fileEntryId":"1177321","resourcePrimKey":"1227092"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="yLka1pxu" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="xado" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Tollway Takes Time to Recognize Veterans]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="kurcW9hS" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="fpme" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway salutes the military veterans who help fill our ranks and bring a wealth of experience, dedication and service to our agency and our customers.</p><p>The Tollway is proud to count more than 50 military veterans among its full-time staff and relies on the skills and knowledge they began developing during their military careers to help the agency operate efficiently and safely.</p><p>“We are honored to count so many military veterans as members of our team and our Tollway family,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “We thank them—and all veterans for their service—and are grateful that the experience and skills they bring with them from their military careers makes our agency stronger.”</p><p>To commemorate Veterans Day, the Tollway asked some of the veterans who work at the agency to talk about their military careers and describe the lessons and skills they gained from their service</p><p>A common theme was that military service helped strengthen their sense of duty and their dedication to completing the jobs assigned to them, while learning to quickly adapt to new situations and circumstances - and of gaining self-confidence as they learned how to succeed under those conditions. </p><p>To watch the Tollway’s tribute to our veterans, click the video below to see how veterans are serving our customers, and what their service, and the service of all veterans, means to our team. </p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://youtu.be/tQnLKXpy80c"><strong>WATCH THE VIDEO</strong></a></p><table border="0" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="10" style="width:50%"><tbody><tr><td><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tQnLKXpy80c?rel=0" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="btyi" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-11-10]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Tollway Takes Time to Recognize Veterans
Display date: 2021-11-10
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<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="divq" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"TrooperCooper-blog_1121.png","name":"TrooperCooper-blog_1121.png","width":"","description":"TrooperCooper-blog_1121.png","title":"TrooperCooper-blog_1121.png","type":"journal","uuid":"4efbedd8-5ffe-3c07-5f77-1d45d7b4d0fd","fileEntryId":"1175415","resourcePrimKey":"1227105","url":"/documents/883951/989581/TrooperCooper-blog_1121.png/4efbedd8-5ffe-3c07-5f77-1d45d7b4d0fd?t=1635957882746","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="C4vR9Kws" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="leje" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Kid-sized, talking Illinois State Police car offers safety messages to youngsters]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="LJwcg8rF" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="zcfj" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Kids don’t always listen to adults, but they seem to hang on every word uttered by a child-sized, talking Illinois State Police car named Trooper Cooper.</p><p>Maybe it’s Trooper Cooper’s outsized, blinking eyes that grab their attention, or the flashing red-and-blue emergency lights or the cartoon-style voice.</p><p>Whatever it is, kids flock to Trooper Cooper to hear what he has to say—which is the whole idea behind the 34-inch-tall, 100-pound talking robotic car unveiled earlier this year by Illinois State Police District 15, which patrols the Illinois Tollway system.</p><p>“We thought it would be a great way to reach a younger audience with the safety messages we want to share,” said District 15 Safety Education Officer Duane Chappell. “It’s a new way to interact with younger kids. The feedback so far has been amazing.”</p><p>Trooper Cooper made his debut this summer at a safety event in suburban Lake Zurich—and drew a crowd of toddlers and younger children, who gathered around him as he rolled slowly around the event, with Chappell directing his trip using wireless remote control.</p><p>Chappell also used a microphone to “speak” as Trooper Cooper, providing short reminders about topics that included staying safe while crossing streets and using playground equipment, the importance of riding in safety or booster seats in vehicles, and avoiding Stranger-Danger situations. His voice was digitally altered to sound similar to a cartoon character and was broadcast from Trooper Cooper’s loudspeaker.</p><p>“The kids were fascinated with him, which is the idea,” Chappell said. “This is a different approach than having an adult sit down with the kids to give them a lecture.”</p><p>One other feature about Trooper Cooper that kids like? The little police car can shoot a stream of water a few feet to surprise youngsters and keep their attention if they start to lose interest in his safety messages. </p><p>“They loved it,” Chappell said, describing how children reacted to the water spray at the Lake Zurich safety event. “The interaction they had with him during the event was just fantastic.”</p><p>An ISP video introducing Trooper Cooper—who is decorated with special logos and design features to mark the agency’s 100th anniversary in 2022—includes footage from that event and already has garnered more than 15,000 views on YouTube, already raising public interest in the mini-police car and its message. </p><p>Chappell sees more starring roles ahead for Trooper Cooper—he plans to bring his robotic sidekick with him when he attends school safety events or local public safety fairs, as well as the regular Kids Identification and Safety Seat events that ISP hosts annually across the Chicago area every summer.</p><p>“It’s another tool in the tool belt that we didn’t have before,” Chappell said. “It’s exciting because this is just a whole different approach we can use.”</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="nckj" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-11-02]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Kid-sized, talking Illinois State Police car offers safety messages to youngsters
Display date: 2021-11-02
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<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="joqi" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"58kTrees-027262-blog_1021.png","name":"58kTrees-027262-blog_1021.png","width":"","description":"58kTrees-027262-blog_1021.png","title":"58kTrees-027262-blog_1021.png","type":"journal","uuid":"550d96e6-d3b1-1fc0-8b60-107f2f04f549","fileEntryId":"1172146","resourcePrimKey":"1227118","url":"/documents/883951/989581/58kTrees-027262-blog_1021.png/550d96e6-d3b1-1fc0-8b60-107f2f04f549?t=1635357456242","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="306Poye5" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="umsc" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway surpasses milestone of planting 58,000 trees]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="xbgJriOS" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="imvt" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>In October, the Illinois Tollway surpassed its goal to plant 58,000 new trees along its system of roadways crossing 12 counties, and planting is ongoing. </p><p>The milestone tree is among new trees and shrubs being planted recently along the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355). </p><p>“It’s exciting to be part of this effort to expand the regional tree canopy, which will greatly benefit our customers and communities for generations,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. </p><p>Within The Morton Arboretum, the Center for Tree Science and the Chicago Region Trees Initiative have been focused on increasing the region’s tree canopy. The Tollway has partnered with these groups to develop and implement a comprehensive program that advances the region’s tree canopy across the Tollway’s landscape.</p><p>As part of its Landscape Master Plan adopted in 2016, the Tollway mapped out a plan to enhance its right-of-way space with new trees, shrubs and native grasses and flowers. To meet the 58,000-goal included in the plan, the Tollway counted the planting of five shrubs as the equivalent of one tree. </p><p>In simple terms, adding 58,000 trees and shrubs would have required adding a new planting every 27 feet along the 294-mile Tollway system if all the new plantings were evenly spaced. But according to Bryan Wagner, the Tollway’s environmental policy and program manager, the plan wasn’t that simple.</p><p>The Tollway’s Environmental staff, led by senior landscape architect Jeff Schneberg, first looked at the more rural and open areas along the Tollway system. As they got started, staff quickly realized that what at first glance appeared to be wide open land in reality included drainage systems, underground fiber optics, overhead power lines and sometimes bike trails running alongside the roadways. </p><p>“There’s much more to our system than just pavement that we needed to take into consideration when determining where to plant tens of thousands of trees,” said Wagner. </p><p>In the end, the Tollway identified locations around interchanges and along the mainline on every one of the five roadways that make up the Tollway system, including the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80), the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355) and the Illinois Route 390 Tollway. </p><p>While planting tens of thousands of trees over a relatively short period can be considered a success on its own merits, the Tollway also has taken steps to ensure the program is a success over the long haul. </p><p>As part of the planning process the Tollway’s staff also had to determine which tree species are most appropriate in urban, suburban and rural locations and distributed where they would be functional and improve aesthetics.</p><p>The Tollway worked with The Morton Arboretum to more than double its list of approved tree and shrub species. Species were selected for their resiliency to salt spray and harsh roadway conditions and being native to the region. The list includes a wide variety of shade trees such as ginkgo, honey locust, coffee trees, elm, maples, lilacs, as well as evergreens and nearly a dozen varieties of shrubs. </p><p>“Diversity in the species of trees and shrubs, as well as their size and ages, is vital to the successful implementation and sustainability of this effort,” said senior environmental planner Kelsey Musich. </p><p>The Tollway is focused on planting young, one to 3-year-old trees, which have shown to be more adaptable than older ones during their critical establishment period, based on information and research provided by The Morton Arboretum. </p><p>This approach, accompanied with a high diversity in tree species, aided in minimizing impacts to the regional tree market, as local growers and Tollway contractors were able to work closely together to better ensure availability of desired tree species.</p><p>In urban areas, the Tollway planted small, young and hearty trees, which can take root more quickly and develop faster, such as maples, hawthorns and honey locusts. </p><p>In suburban and rural areas, primarily west of the Fox River, the Tollway planted more slow-growing and desirable species of oaks and hickories. Oaks also were placed in the center of dense planting areas, surrounding by bigger trees that could provide protection. </p><p>Short, mid-term and ongoing maintenance is essential to the survival of the 58,000 trees and shrubs planted by the Tollway. Considerable attention will be given to tree care, maintenance and critical watering during the first two to three years after planting to increase success. </p><p>While the Tollway is celebrating this milestone achievement, there are plans for additional trees to be planted as part of the reconstruction of the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) and the new I-490 Tollway. </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="rnvv" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-10-27]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway surpasses milestone of planting 58,000 trees
Display date: 2021-10-27
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<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="oihv" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"2022TentativeBudget_1021.png","name":"2022TentativeBudget_1021.png","width":"","description":"2022TentativeBudget_1021.png","title":"2022TentativeBudget_1021.png","type":"journal","uuid":"145c8df9-10a1-b907-c177-1c45604d0436","fileEntryId":"1175951","resourcePrimKey":"1227131","url":"/documents/883951/989581/2022TentativeBudget_1021.png/145c8df9-10a1-b907-c177-1c45604d0436?t=1636042204940","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="BkEcLiIk" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="fqnz" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Invites Public to Comment on Tentative 2022 Budget]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="oBTGoB3n" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="pvmd" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p><strong>Balanced spending plan allocates more than $1.49 billion in annual revenue <br />and supports more than $1.49 billion for capital program</strong></p><p>The Illinois Tollway introduced a balanced Tentative 2022 Budget with $1.49 billion of revenue today that includes $411 million for annual maintenance and operations on the 294-mile system and provides funds to support $1.49 billion in capital spending, including funding for the 11th year of the agency’s 15-year, $14 billion capital program, <em>Move Illinois: The Illinois Tollway Driving the Future.</em></p><p>“Today we are introducing a Tentative 2022 Budget that is the product of our agency’s strong fiscal management and accommodates expenditures needed to maintain our roadways and day-to-day operations that serve communities and drivers throughout Northern Illinois,” said Illinois Tollway Board Chairman and CEO Will Evans. “We encourage the public to view the tentative budget and share their comments.”</p><p>As part of the Illinois Tollway’s 2022 Budget process, the general public is invited to visit the Illinois Tollway’s website www.illinoistollway.com to review the Tentative 2022 Budget book, view a recording of the presentation to the board or attend a live virtual public hearing on Monday, November 8, at noon and again at 6 p.m.</p><p>Members of the public who wish to make public comments during the either of the public hearings may participate via audio conference call by calling 877-336-4440 and with the passcode “295-5165.”</p><p>In addition, written public comments also may be submitted online via the Tollway’s website www.illinoistollway.com, emailed to info@getipass.com or mailed to Communications Department, 2700 Ogden Avenue, Downers Grove, IL 60515 by November 12. After the Board of Directors has reviewed the public comments and any changes have been incorporated, a final budget will be presented for approval by the Board at its December meeting.</p><p><strong>Tentative 2022 Budget</strong><br />The Tentative 2022 Budget presented to the Tollway’s Board of Directors outlines a balanced spending plan to support new technology costs, better internal controls, Illinois State Police District 15, security and safety initiatives, as well as the implementation of the largest capital program in the agency’s history. The proposed spending plan allocates nearly $1.08 billion for direct funding and debt service on capital investments, as well as $411 million for maintenance and operations.<br /><br />“This Tentative 2022 Budget is a balanced spending plan that will allow us to continue providing the highest-quality roadways and infrastructure, improving service to our customers and further advancing the diversity of our consultants, contractors and workers,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez.</p><p>To support Tollway spending, the Tentative 2022 Budget includes a total $1.49 billion in projected revenue, an increase of 5.4 percent over 2021. This includes $1.48 billion from evasion recovery and tolls, including an annual commercial truck toll rate increase previously approved by the Tollway Board in 2008. There is no toll increase planned for passenger vehicles.</p><p>The 2022 estimated revenues also include $3 million from investment income and $11 million from concessions and miscellaneous revenue. The Tollway also plans to issue $500 million in new bonds in 2022 to provide funding for new and future capital program investments.</p><p>The Tentative 2022 Budget provides funding for annual maintenance and operations activities including an Information Technology budget of $37.5 million, $39.8 million for State Police and security services, as well as $102.3 million for Operations and Business Systems to providing customer service, support and enhancements.</p><p>The Tollway’s 2022 Capital Program calls for investing $1.49 billion in 2021 with $296.8 million budgeted for systemwide roadway and bridge repairs to keep the existing Tollway system in good repair, as well as along with funding for key projects including:</p><p>• $439.9 million to continue planning and construction for the new I-490 Tollway and new interchanges connecting to the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), Tri-State Tollway (I-294), the Illinois Route 390 Tollway, as well as providing direct access in and out of O’Hare International Airport as part of the Elgin O’Hare Western Access Project. <br />• $690.1 million to continue design and reconstruction work for the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Project.<br />• $46.2 million to complete construction of the I-294/I-57 Interchange.</p><p><strong>About Move Illinois</strong><br />The Illinois Tollway’s 15-year, $14 billion Move Illinois capital program is improving mobility, relieving congestion, reducing pollution, creating as many as 120,000 jobs and linking economies throughout the region. The first 10 years of Move Illinois are on schedule and within budget, delivering the new Illinois Route 390 Tollway and a rebuilt and widened Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) with its new SmartRoad corridor, as well as opening a new interchange connecting the Tri-State Tollway (I-294) to I-57. Progress continues on projects addressing the remaining needs of the existing Tollway system, delivering the new I-490 Tollway Project and reconstruction of the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294).</p><p><strong>About the Illinois Tollway</strong><br />The Illinois Tollway is a user-fee system that receives no state or federal funds for maintenance and operations. The agency maintains and operates 294 miles of roadways in 12 counties in Northern Illinois, including the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355), the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80) and the Illinois Route 390 Tollway.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="vmtx" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-10-25]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Invites Public to Comment on Tentative 2022 Budget
Display date: 2021-10-25
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<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="hsrq" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Foernssler-TESConf-blog_1021.jpg","name":"Foernssler-TESConf-blog_1021.jpg","width":"","description":"Foernssler-TESConf-blog_1021.jpg","title":"Foernssler-TESConf-blog_1021.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"32386f6c-d575-74bf-b8bf-e82f8f290372","fileEntryId":"1171063","resourcePrimKey":"1227144","url":"/documents/883951/989581/Foernssler-TESConf-blog_1021.jpg/32386f6c-d575-74bf-b8bf-e82f8f290372?t=1634932683275","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="Fg5rQVxQ" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="cdpk" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway highlights its safety innovations at annual TES Conference]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="F8KjDCYk" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="apui" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway highlighted its commitment to safety and innovation at the annual Illinois Traffic and Engineering Safety Conference this month. </p><p>Each year, Tollway staff help organize and participate in the event, which is hosted by the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The conference attracts transportation officials, industry professionals and academics from across the state.</p><p>This year, Tollway staff presented on how the agency responded to changes brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic and provided an update on the Move Illinois capital program, featuring new initiatives to continue keeping customers and workers safe. </p><p>“Everything we did before COVID as part of our roadway traffic and incident management still applied during the pandemic,” said Steven Mednis, general manager of Traffic and Incident Management. “We just had to get more creative.”</p><p>While most businesses and workers stayed home during the pandemic, the Tollway quickly stepped up efforts to protect customers and workers. The agency put a halt to cash collection, shifted to all-electronic tolling and mobilized crews to put up signage to inform customers of the switch to electronic toll collection.</p><p>The Tollway adopted an alternate schedule with social distancing restrictions and additional responsibilities for its traffic operations technicians and Dispatch operators who continued coming in to Tollway headquarters every day. On the roadway, workers were provided with appropriate personal protection equipment and plexiglass shields were installed in H.E.L.P. trucks to separate operators and customers. </p><p>Working in a more remote operational environment, the Tollway accelerated efforts to develop its TIMS2GO mobile incident response tool. This app puts all the ITS resources of the Tollway’s Traffic Operations Center, including the Traffic Incident Management System, in the palms of the hands of traffic managers to let them gather real-time incident information and direct the appropriate resources to respond anytime from anywhere using any smartphone, tablet or laptop. </p><p>“We are always looking for ways to keep our roadways safe,” said Peter Foernssler, deputy chief of program implementation, who detailed a variety of additional Tollway safety initiatives.</p><p>One of the ways the Tollway is looking out for motorists is through its wrong-way driver pilot program. Through this effort, the agency is exploring various physical and technological enhancements to identify, measure, assess and counter wrong-way drivers. </p><p>The agency is also protecting its investments in its roadways by upgrading weigh-in-motion sites at key entry points along the system to identify overweight trucks and vehicles with tire anomalies such as mismatched, underinflated or missing tires. </p><p>One of the latest innovations is a mobile roadway weather information system that allows snow plows and other Tollway vehicles to collect real-time weather and pavement conditions to provide a clear, accurate picture of a specific location that may not be available through stationary roadside RWIS stations. <br /> </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="imhc" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-10-22]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway highlights its safety innovations at annual TES Conference
Display date: 2021-10-22
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<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="dcia" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"1164475","groupId":"20184","name":"54689","alt":"StearnsBridge_5436-blog_1021.jpg","title":"StearnsBridge_5436-blog_1021.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"047c8eb9-b8eb-8c65-fee8-f8781b2ae3a1","fileEntryId":"1164479","resourcePrimKey":"1227157"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="UxHsP4gU" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="nydb" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Village, County and Tollway Come Together to Deliver New Lake County Bridge Ahead of Schedule]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="zErnc3Rg" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="idrv" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>While construction is not without inconvenience, the Illinois Tollway takes on every project committed to reducing that impact on its customers and communities, along with the goal of delivering new and improved roads and bridges on scheduled and within budget. </p><p>So, when reopening of the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/projects/tri-state/stearns-school-road-bridge">Stearns School Road Bridge</a> carrying traffic over the Tri-State Tollway (I-94) in Gurnee took place just ahead of Labor Day weekend, well ahead of schedule, there was good reason for everyone to call it a job well done.</p><p>“We were excited that the project was completed two months ahead of schedule, and now we are looking forward to seeing the improvement benefit our residents and motorists for decades to come,” said Kevin Carrier, Director of Planning and Programming at the Lake County Division of Transportation.</p><p>The Tollway, Village of Gurnee and Lake County Division of Transportation coordinated on the project to replace the 70-year-old Stearns School Road Bridge. The new bridge structure has been designed to provide for three lanes of tra¿c, wider shoulders, as well as additional bicycle and pedestrian access. Currently, up to 15,900 vehicles use the Stearns School Road Bridge daily.</p><p>"Joint meetings held early on in the planning process with Gurnee, Lake County and the Tollway helped to make this project a collective success,” said Heather L. Galan, Public Works Director/Village Engineer in Gurnee. “We all agreed that a full shut down of the bridge over a shorter duration was the best course of action. This decision proved to be beneficial to everyone, especially since the contractor completed the project even earlier than expected.” </p><p>The project team was able to start construction about two weeks earlier than originally intended due to close coordination with local partners and IDOT. In addition, there was a strong push to complete the project prior to any holiday shopping season, so the project’s local partners allowed the detour to start earlier than planned once construction neared.</p><p>Led by general contractor Dunnet Bay Construction Co., the project include the work of other companies including Hard Rock Concrete Cutters to remove the existing bridge, Metropolitan Steel Inc. to fabricate the new bridge beams, MA Rebar Services Inc. to provide the rebar, Peter Baker & Sons Co. Inc. to perform asphalt pavement work, Logistics Corp to provide trucking services, as well as Hecker and Company Inc. for electrical, lighting, and ITS work and Northern Contracting Inc for guardrail and right-of-way fence installation.</p><p>Because the Illinois Tollway typically constructs new bridges with a 75-year service life, the new bridge was built to accommodate future local roadway improvements anticipated by the village and the county, so the $12 million project includes $5.4 million in local cost participation from Village of Gurnee and Lake County for the extra improvements.</p><p>“Stearns School Road is a vital part of the Lake County transportation system,” Carrier said. “This project is a great example of how agencies can work together to ensure everything runs smoothly from start to finish and deliver a project that fits the needs of the community.” </p><p>Galan added that the Village was able to use REBUILD IL funds for its portion of the project at a time when COVID-19 saw many other local capital projects stall. “We are very pleased with this intergovernmental success,” she said.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="kaer" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-10-05]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Village, County and Tollway Come Together to Deliver New Lake County Bridge Ahead of Schedule
Display date: 2021-10-05
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="pqln" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"craig lundt photos.png","name":"craig lundt photos.png","width":"","description":"craig lundt photos.png","title":"craig lundt photos.png","type":"journal","uuid":"b2a75ff0-19fa-8a56-56b6-5aa086433a38","fileEntryId":"1160361","resourcePrimKey":"1227170","url":"/documents/883951/989581/craig%20lundt%20photos.png/b2a75ff0-19fa-8a56-56b6-5aa086433a38?t=1633102154918","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="RWUHNS2z" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="tyta" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Tollway Dispatch Manager Wins Public Safety Leadership Award]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="aeTbVCj4" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="sujv" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Illinois Tollway Dispatch Manager Craig Lundt not only headed back to college this year for advanced public safety management training, he finished at the top of his class.<br /> <br />His classmates at Northwestern University’s Center for Public Safety selected him as the winner of the Franklin M. Kreml Leadership Award, which goes to the student who best displays “the dedication, devotion, ethics, sense of justice, and other attributes that exemplify the kind of leadership” needed in law enforcement, according to a statement from the university.<br /> <br />Lundt, who has worked in public safety for 34 years—including the last 5 years with the Tollway—said he was especially pleased to earn the honor because he was chosen by fellow professionals, including police chiefs and other law enforcement leaders, who participated in the 10-week Staff and Command program.<br /> <br />“These are accomplished professionals and I was honored that they respected the work I did there,” said Lundt, 54, who is the first Tollway manager to go through the program. “This was a good chance to represent the Tollway in a positive way.”<br /> <br />The School of Police Staff and Command provides upper-level college instruction related to topics that include leadership, employee relations, organizational behavior, applied statistics, planning and policy development, and budgeting. <br /> <br />Students tackle not only classroom discussions and work, but have written examinations, projects, presentations and quizzes, as well as a staff study paper. Completing the course earns students a total of six units of undergraduate credit from Northwestern University. <br /> <br />“It was intense. With statistics, it felt like we had a semester crammed into three days,” Lundt said. “But it’s well-worth the time and effort.”<br /> <br />Lundt jumped at the chance to go—both to advance his skills and to make sure he and his team were following the most up-to-date practices in processing and handling emergency responses and other calls for service.<br /> <br />“It’s part of our philosophy here that we want to continue our advancement and keep up with industry standards,” said Lundt, who leads a team of more than 20 call takers and telecommunicators. “Nothing is static in our field, everything keeps changing and a program like this helps us stay current with the best practices in this industry.”<br /> <br />Tollway telecommunicators and call takers are on-duty around the clock to handle all 911 emergency calls on the Tollway system and *999 calls for roadside assistance. They dispatch Illinois State Police troopers and Tollway maintenance staff to incident scenes and to other locations where drivers need help.<br /> <br />“We’re pleased that Craig was recognized for his outstanding work at Northwestern University, given the skill and dedication that he displays at the Illinois Tollway in managing a vital part of our emergency response system,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “We’re always encouraging our staff to continue their professional training because we believe that advancement helps us provide better service to our customers.”<br /> <br />The Center for Public Safety was established at Northwestern University in 1936 with the specific goal of expanding university-based education and training for the law enforcement community. More recently, the Center started providing a variety of courses and programs in the area of police training, management training and executive development. <br /> <br />This program, which was implemented by the Center for Public Safety in 1983, has graduated over 25,000 students both nationally and internationally.<br /> <br />More students will be enrolling in the program from the Tollway; Lundt plans to send all three supervisors on his team to take the course.<br /> <br />“I think it’s a great opportunity for us to stay at the leading edge of our field,” he said.<br /> </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="cnya" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-10-01]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Tollway Dispatch Manager Wins Public Safety Leadership Award
Display date: 2021-10-01
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<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="aono" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"B_M8_Sustainability_1200.jpg","name":"B_M8_Sustainability_1200.jpg","width":"","description":"B_M8_Sustainability_1200.jpg","title":"B_M8_Sustainability_1200.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"575f0ffd-be24-6227-50de-269e47e069cf","fileEntryId":"1155942","resourcePrimKey":"1227196","url":"/documents/883951/989581/B_M8_Sustainability_1200.jpg/575f0ffd-be24-6227-50de-269e47e069cf?t=1632158237412","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="XCXZEoo1" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="phdz" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[American Society of Civil Engineers Recognizes Illinois Tollway for Innovations in Sustainability]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="AzxO5PV6" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="gayq" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Scheduled to open this fall, the Illinois Tollway’s new maintenance facility in Aurora is already earning accolades from the statewide engineering community for its numerous sustainable features. </p><p>The American Society of Civil Engineers, Illinois Section, selected the Tollway’s new Aurora maintenance facility as the winner of its Sustainability in Civil Engineering Achievement Award. The Tollway’s $40.5 million, 95,000-square-foot maintenance facility was built to meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification standards for sustainable design and construction. </p><p>“The Aurora maintenance facility is an excellent example of innovative in sustainable planning, design, construction and operations,” said ASCE Illinois President Brian Pawula. “ASCE Illinois applauds the Illinois Tollway for taking a bold approach to building its new maintenance facilities, applying a wide range of sustainable elements that can be applied to future civil engineering projects.” </p><p>ASCE Illinois presents the Sustainability in Civil Engineering Achievement Award annually for civil engineering projects that exhibit the greatest innovations in sustainability and demonstrate adherence to the principles of economic, social and environmental sustainability. The award recognizes engineering innovations that extend future developments in sustainability and projects that extend the public understanding of sustainability in design and construction.</p><p>The new Aurora maintenance facility is located on a 19-acre site adjacent to the Aurora Toll Plaza and operates 24/7 to serve the roadway needs of the eastern segment of the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), from a little west of Aurora to the Tri-State Tollway (I-294). The new facility replaces the original facility in Naperville, which had exceeded its life expectancy since it was built in 1958 and could no longer support the services required for modern roadway maintenance operations.</p><p>The Illinois Tollway is taking advantage of this opportunity to apply best practices in design and construction to build more efficient, sustainable and environmentally responsible maintenance facilities across its system in Northern Illinois. </p><p>The new Aurora maintenance facility is designed to more efficiently and effectively deliver critical roadway services to the motoring public and features numerous sustainable features to achieve LEED status, including:<br />• Refueling equipment for low-emitting and fuel-efficient vehicles, as well as electric vehicle charging stations <br />• Installation of white thermoplastic polyolefin roofing and low-reflectivity concrete pavement to reduce the “heat island” effect<br />• LED electronically programed exterior lighting and self-adjusting interior occupancy lighting to reduce light pollution <br />• Geofoam installation for ground stabilization and reduced loading<br />• Photovoltaic panels to feed power back into the grid, making the Aurora maintenance facility approximately 44 percent more efficient than a facility of similar size and function <br />• Skylights and punched openings in the pre-cast wall panels use translucent, insulating glass and polycarbonate panels to provide abundant natural lighting and reduce the need for interior lighting during daylight hours. <br />• In-floor hydronic radiant heat and overhead natural gas radiant heat, along with installation of low-flow fixtures, further reduce energy and water costs</p><p>The Aurora maintenance facility includes the Tollway’s first permanent, high-production brine-making equipment to assist with snow and ice control. It also features a storm water management system to improve the quality of storm water discharge before it reaches nearby waterways, including the Fox River, which is located half a mile west of the site and serves as a source of drinking water for residents and businesses in major cities such as Aurora and Elgin and many other communities in Kane and Cook counties.</p><p>“The Illinois Tollway applied numerous sustainable innovations to deliver this new, environmentally friendly and aesthetically pleasing maintenance facility to meet the current and future needs of our customers for the next 50 years,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “Like all our newly reconstructed or rehabilitated maintenance sites, the Aurora facility meets LEED certification standards for sustainable design and construction, demonstrating the Tollway’s commitment to delivering innovations in sustainability.” </p><p>More details about the new Aurora maintenance facility can be found <a target="_blank" href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/projects/reagan/aurora-maintenance-facility-m-8">here</a>. </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="lidn" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-09-23]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
American Society of Civil Engineers Recognizes Illinois Tollway for Innovations in Sustainability
Display date: 2021-09-23
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="yzrr" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"ACEC_BlogUpdate.jpg","name":"ACEC_BlogUpdate.jpg","width":"","description":"ACEC_BlogUpdate.jpg","title":"ACEC_BlogUpdate.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"de5cbd8d-71e3-275b-f672-48c24edbb7f0","fileEntryId":"1156848","resourcePrimKey":"1227183","url":"/documents/883951/989581/ACEC_BlogUpdate.jpg/de5cbd8d-71e3-275b-f672-48c24edbb7f0?t=1632413859888","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="yaSkmv91" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="klvc" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Updates ACEC on Projects, Upcoming Opportunities]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="gNTWMjOz" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="lygd" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway provided regional engineers a look at the agency’s projects and upcoming opportunities at an early fall meeting of the American Council of Engineering Companies of Illinois, with a view ahead of upcoming contract opportunities and long-term capital planning activities. </p><p>Acting Chief Engineering Officer Manar Nashif kicked off the luncheon by detailing the magnitude of the remaining projects within the Tollway’s Move Illinois capital program with an outline of the and the next five years for the 15-year, $14 billion capital program. </p><p>Through June 2021, the Tollway has spent more than $8 billion, with nearly 43% percent of the program remaining. </p><p>Within, Nashif provided an update on major Tollway projects, including the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Project, the I-490 Tollway Project and the I-294/I-57 Interchange Project. He highlighted major bridge projects on I-294 – the Mile Long Bridge and Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway Bridge Project – as well as the interchanges on the I-490 Tollway Project at the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), the Illinois Route 390 Tollway and I-294. </p><p>Nashif and Chief Planning Officer Rocco Zucchero engaged the group of over 130 engineers and planners, thanking them for their crucial role in the successful delivery of the projects. The keys, he said, were communication, commitment and quality. They also noted the sta</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="txtk" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-09-23]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Updates ACEC on Projects, Upcoming Opportunities
Display date: 2021-09-23
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="inyz" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"IBCC_Blog.jpg","name":"IBCC_Blog.jpg","width":"","description":"IBCC_Blog.jpg","title":"IBCC_Blog.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"0b897781-98d8-023d-b534-c70136d078a2","fileEntryId":"1158008","resourcePrimKey":"1227209","url":"/documents/883951/989581/IBCC_Blog.jpg/0b897781-98d8-023d-b534-c70136d078a2?t=1632755635956","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="l6VP1b7p" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="prvi" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Black Chamber Invites Illinois Tollway to Help Guide Firms on Doing Business]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="jOJQs7vD" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="hduv" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Black Chamber of Commerce called upon the Illinois Tollway to participate in its annual convention to help African American firms take their business to the next level. </p><p>On Thursday, September 16, Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez served on a panel of state and City of Chicago government leaders to discuss “Doing Business with State Agencies.” </p><p>Alvarez provided an overview of the various ways that professional engineering services and construction firms, as well as goods and services providers, could pursue contract opportunities with the Tollway – including contract opportunities on major Tollway projects, the I-490 Tollway and Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) projects. </p><p>He also talked about the Tollway’s commitment to diversity and the wealth of programs and resources available to help small, diverse and veteran-owned firms do business with the agency. </p><p>Tollway efforts that help eliminate barriers to participation include the Small Business Initiative, unbundling contracts and the Rolling Owner-Controlled Insurance Program that provides liability coverage for firms enrolled in the Small Business Initiative. </p><p>Illinois Tollway staff from Engineering and Procurement also participated in a series of one-on-one matchmaking sessions with entrepreneurs and executives from African American-owned firms. </p><p>The sessions provided firms the opportunity to present their capabilities statements and gain insights into contract opportunities for their particular firms. Tollway staff met with more than a dozen African American firms over the course of the four-day convention. <br /> </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="vili" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-09-22]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Black Chamber Invites Illinois Tollway to Help Guide Firms on Doing Business
Display date: 2021-09-22
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="dpbo" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Blog_Safety_Seat-2.jpg","name":"Blog_Safety_Seat-2.jpg","width":"","description":"Blog_Safety_Seat-2.jpg","title":"Blog_Safety_Seat-2.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"53c7a2b7-45a8-4271-9a91-09e52082fa1e","fileEntryId":"1155569","resourcePrimKey":"1227222","url":"/documents/883951/989581/Blog_Safety_Seat-2.jpg/53c7a2b7-45a8-4271-9a91-09e52082fa1e?t=1632148204444","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="xjtAOzcS" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="vzut" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway and Illinois State Police Remind Parents and Caregivers About Important Child Safety Seat Laws]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="EuJWderF" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="jxfj" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Since January 1, 2019, Illinois law has required children under age 2 years to ride in vehicles rear-facing, unless the child weighs 40 or more pounds or is 40 or more inches tall. </p><p>And, yet, Illinois State Police District 15 troopers are finding that many children aren’t properly secured in a rear-facing child safety seat, according to Trooper Duane Chappell.</p><p>“Many parents and caregivers still aren’t aware of this law,” said Chappell, the safety education officer for District 15. “In fact, we recommend keeping child seats rear-facing for as long as possible because it’s the safest way for children to ride. Rear-facing child safety seats protect a growing baby’s head, neck and back in a crash.”</p><p>Parents of infants aren’t alone in not knowing the proper way to install a child safety seat. </p><p>Even though it is well known that child safety seats save lives and significantly reduce injuries in the event of a crash, Illinois State Police find that more than 90 percent of child safety seats they inspect are improperly installed. </p><p>Some of the more common problems District 15 inspectors pinpoint include not only the child facing the wrong direction, but also too much slack in harness straps, not properly securing the car seat, improper child restraint for the child’s weight and the need for booster seats for older children.</p><p>Illinois law requires that all children under age 8 must be properly secured in an appropriate child restraint system when riding in a vehicle with family or other caregivers. For young children, a booster seat is the most effective way to position a safety belt properly on the child's body. Until age 8, most children have not developed strong hip bones and their legs and bodies are too short for the adult safety belt to fit correctly without use of a booster seat.</p><p>Another challenge facing parents and caregivers these days is finding somewhere to get their child safety seat inspected and installed due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. </p><p>This week, parents are in luck. </p><p>During Child Passenger Safety Week (September 19-25) and National Seat Check Saturday, Illinois State Police certified safety seat technicians will be participating in child passenger safety events throughout the region. </p><p>Chappell said he plans to be at the event with the Gurnee Police Department on Saturday, September 25, while other District 15 technicians are being asked to staff more than 24 other events throughout the region to inspect child safety seats and help parents and caregivers with proper installation. </p><p>Visit the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.buckleupillinois.org/default.asp">Buckle Up Illinois website</a> to find local car seat inspection stations. </p><p>While it’s best to get child seats inspected by a certified technician, the Illinois State Police provides parents of infants with some tips on how to properly install a rear-facing seat <a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=3dJAWvDweNI&feature=youtu.be">here</a>. </p><p>Beyond this week, parents and caregivers can call District 15 to schedule a car seat inspection by calling 630-241-6800 ext. 5009. <br /> </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="rppq" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-09-20]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway and Illinois State Police Remind Parents and Caregivers About Important Child Safety Seat Laws
Display date: 2021-09-20
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="snvi" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Hinsdale-aerial-GoogleEarth-blog_0921.png","name":"Hinsdale-aerial-GoogleEarth-blog_0921.png","width":"","description":"Hinsdale-aerial-GoogleEarth-blog_0921.png","title":"Hinsdale-aerial-GoogleEarth-blog_0921.png","type":"journal","uuid":"b162d6e3-b42f-d812-00b7-14c35c2e4fd6","fileEntryId":"1150359","resourcePrimKey":"1227235","url":"/documents/883951/989581/Hinsdale-aerial-GoogleEarth-blog_0921.png/b162d6e3-b42f-d812-00b7-14c35c2e4fd6?t=1631113599197","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="ybWcJbMD" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="atvb" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Over-the-Road Hinsdale Oasis Pavilion Soon Closing as Part of Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Project ]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="gpRekQX6" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="qtkk" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>In 2017, the Illinois Tollway expanded the <em>Move Illinois</em> capital program to include the widening of the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294). At that time, the Tollway announced the project would require closing and removing the Hinsdale Oasis over-the-road pavilion and bridge structures to allow for the roadway reconstruction and widening.</p><p>This month, the Illinois Tollway expects the Hinsdale Oasis pavilion to close as part of that plan. The two adjoining fuel stations and convenience stores operated by 7-Eleven will remain open and continue to provide services for both northbound and southbound travelers along I-294.</p><p>The Illinois Tollway’s oases with over-the-road pavilions were first constructed in 1959 at Belvidere, Des Plaines, Hinsdale, O’Hare and Lake Forest by the Tollway and leased to Standard Oil Co. of Indiana. The Fred Harvey Co. operated full-service restaurants and gift shops in the over-the-road pavilions, and Standard Oil operated fuel stations adjacent to the oases. Additional oases were added, including an over-the-road pavilion at the Chicago Southland Lincoln Oasis and a roadside pavilion at the DeKalb Oasis. <br /> <br />In 2002, private partners, Wilton Partners and ExxonMobil, invested $100 million to renovate the Tollway’s seven oases, entering into a 25-year lease ending in 2027. These partnerships reinvigorated the aging pavilions and fuel stations, while serving customers on the increasingly accessible Tollway system, coming entirely at the expense of the investors. <br /> <br />In 2011, the Tollway embarked on the <em>Move Illinois</em> Program aimed at completing the reconstruction and expansion of the Tollway system. As a part of these plans, the Des Plaines Oasis on the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) was closed and removed to accommodate reconstruction and widening of I-90 completed in 2017 and construction of a new interchange to serve the new I-490 Tollway scheduled to be complete by the end of 2026. </p><p>Also as part of the program, the O’Hare Oasis pavilion was closed to the public in September 2018. At that time, the Tollway terminated the lease at the O’Hare Oasis for a determined value of $8.7 million along with an additional $500,000 that SFI, the current leaseholder, already had paid into an account to use to provide long-term maintenance at the oasis. </p><p>In July 2021, the Tollway Board of Directors took action to authorize the negotiations required to terminate the lease with SFI for the Hinsdale Oasis pavilion which is required in order to remove the over-the-road building and bridge structure. The removal contract was advertised in August and is expected to be awarded in November. <br /> <br />The $4 billion Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Project is reconstructing and widening the roadway between Balmoral Avenue and 95th Street to provide congestion relief, update old infrastructure to meet current and future transportation demand and address regional needs. More than 220,000 vehicles use the Central Tri-State Tollway daily. </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="igca" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-09-08]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Over-the-Road Hinsdale Oasis Pavilion Soon Closing as Part of Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Project
Display date: 2021-09-08
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="lnxo" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"LaborDay-travel1482293645-blog_0921.png","name":"LaborDay-travel1482293645-blog_0921.png","width":"","description":"LaborDay-travel1482293645-blog_0921.png","title":"LaborDay-travel1482293645-blog_0921.png","type":"journal","uuid":"435e385c-13c8-4ea1-1946-a3e0a2d6cc4d","fileEntryId":"1149179","resourcePrimKey":"1227248","url":"/documents/883951/989581/LaborDay-travel1482293645-blog_0921.png/435e385c-13c8-4ea1-1946-a3e0a2d6cc4d?t=1630689851342","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="SddyiAte" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="hend" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Prepared for Labor Day Holiday Weekend Travel]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="XoWNqHHH" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="kqfb" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway is encouraging drivers traveling over the Labor Day holiday weekend to be prepared and to put safety first. </p><p>Nearly 7.4 million vehicles are anticipated to travel on the 294-mile Illinois Tollway system from Friday, September 3, through Tuesday, September 7. The heaviest traffic is anticipated on Friday, when more than 1.8 million vehicles are expected on the roads. On an average day, about 1.6 million vehicles use the Tollway.<br /> <br />“We are fully focused on protecting the health and safety of the public planning to travel on the Illinois Tollway for an end-of-summer getaway or holiday weekend activities,” said Executive Director José Alvarez. “At our toll plazas, oases and in our construction work zones systemwide, our operations put our customers’ needs first.” </p><p>Prepare for construction work zones <br />As construction is continuing in full swing, remember to stay focused, slow down and watch for changes in traffic patterns in place to provide safe access for drivers in work zones. The Illinois Tollway will suspend most temporary maintenance and construction lane closures from noon on Friday, September 3, through 9 a.m. on Tuesday, September 7. However, construction may continue in existing work zones to keep work on schedule. </p><p><strong>Tollway drivers can expect to see ongoing work: </strong></p><ul><li>On the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) where work zones are in place between the O’Hare Oasis and 95th Street including areas with traffic shifts, restricted access and several ramp closures with posted detours. </li><li>At the I-294/I-57 Interchange where southbound Tollway traffic is reduced from four to three lanes between 159th Street and I-57 and work zones are in place on I-57. </li></ul><p><strong>Remember to bring an I-PASS, E-ZPass or go online to Pay By Plate </strong><br />While I-PASS or E-ZPass are still the best, most cost-effective way to pay tolls on the Illinois Tollway, customers also can use the online Pay By Plate service to make sure tolls are paid. Customers now have 14 days from the date of their unpaid tolls to set up our Pay By Plate service to ensure avoiding fines and fees.</p><p><strong>Take a break at Tollway Oases </strong><br />All six Illinois Tollway oases remain open for drivers who need to take a break or fuel up, and all sites are adhering to the same COVID-19 guidelines as all Illinois businesses. Face masks or coverings are required inside all facilities following the guidance provided by the Illinois Department of Public Health and Gov. JB Pritzker. Indoor dining areas continue to offer socially distanced seating and 7-Eleven convenience stores are open. Public washrooms and hand sanitizer stations are available, though water fountains are currently disabled. </p><p><strong>Call for roadside assistance if needed </strong><br />Call *999 to get help from Tollway roadway maintenance crews or from Illinois State Police District 15 who patrol the Tollway system 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Motorist aid patrols stand ready to help stranded customers change tires, jump-start batteries, add coolant, dispense fuel, transport customers, move vehicles away from traffic and call for a tow truck. </p><p><strong>About the Illinois Tollway</strong><br />The Illinois Tollway is a user-fee system that receives no state or federal funds for maintenance and operations. The agency maintains and operates 294 miles of roadways in 12 counties in Northern Illinois, including the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355), the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80) and the Illinois Route 390 Tollway.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="horq" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-09-03]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Prepared for Labor Day Holiday Weekend Travel
Display date: 2021-09-03
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="ugqv" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Waterways-005052-blog_0921.png","name":"Waterways-005052-blog_0921.png","width":"","description":"Waterways-005052-blog_0921.png","title":"Waterways-005052-blog_0921.png","type":"journal","uuid":"57a8e69e-cfed-0317-8368-8fc3b660a008","fileEntryId":"1148076","resourcePrimKey":"1227261","url":"/documents/883951/989581/Waterways-005052-blog_0921.png/57a8e69e-cfed-0317-8368-8fc3b660a008?t=1630611080818","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="QZzQuOhJ" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="vfdx" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[As Seen on the Illinois Tollway: Chicago-Area Waterways]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="rMWad0Py" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="lktn" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Illinois roadways, railways and airways are well-known and widely recognized for their impact on the state economy. </p><p>But often overlooked is the vast network of waterways that Illinois Tollway motorists travel over every day. </p><p>A major segment of the statewide waterway system is the Chicago Area Waterway System. This system is comprised of six separate waterways that course their way throughout Northern Illinois and the Illinois Tollway system. These include the Des Plaines River, Chicago River, Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, Calumet Sag Channel, Little Calumet River and Calumet River. </p><p>The Des Plaines River, the largest of the Chicago-area rivers, flows south 133 miles from southeastern Wisconsin and meets up with the Kankakee River southwest of Joliet to form the Illinois River, a major tributary of the Mississippi River. </p><p>In Illinois, the Des Plaines River begins east of the North Tri-State Tollway (I-94) near Russell and winds its way back under I-94 just south of Six Flags Great America in Gurnee. It then continues under the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294), just north of Touhy Avenue, near Des Plaines and crosses under the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) in Rosemont near the River Road Toll Plaza. It continues streaming under the Mile Long Bridge on I-294 near Willow Springs and then southwest under the Des Plaines River Valley Bridge on the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355) near Lemont. </p><p>The Chicago River is perhaps the most famous of area waterways that pass under the Tollway system. Known for flowing backwards, hosting architectural boat tours and being dyed green every St. Patrick’s Day, the Chicago River begins at Lake Michigan just south of Navy Pier and breaks off into two branches. </p><p>The North Branch extends to Wilmette Harbor on the lake, while the South Branch connects the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, which was constructed in 1900 to reverse the flow of the Chicago River and prevent pollution from streaming into Lake Michigan. The Sanitary and Ship Canal runs parallel to the Des Plaines River beginning in Lyons and passes under the Mile Long Bridge on I-294 and the Des Plaines River Valley Bridge on I-355. </p><p>The Cal-Sag Channel – short for “Calumet-Saganashkee Channel" – links the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal near Lemont to the Little Calumet River, which continues east into Indiana and connects to the Calumet River. The Cal-Sag Channel flows under I-294 south of Cicero Avenue in Alsip. It also was created to draw pollution away from Lake Michigan and toward the Illinois River, as well as provide a navigable route to the industrial developments in the Calumet area. </p><p>Illinois Tollway motorists who catch a glimpse of these waterways are likely to see huge barges transporting a variety of commodities. These barges are critical to the statewide transportation network. One 15-barge tow can remove 1,050 large trucks off Illinois roads, which not only helps alleviate congestion but also significantly reduces CO2 emissions. </p><p>These barges carry a variety of cargo, from dry goods such as corn, wheat and oats to liquids such as fertilizers and fuel. They also transport heavy machinery, bulk steel and precast concrete forms. </p><p>These waterways served as the lifeblood for Illinois residents for centuries before there were planes, trains and automobiles and they continue to play a major role in the state economy. Illinois waterways not only transport more than 90 tons of freight each, they are increasingly providing recreational activities such as boating, fishing and even swimming. </p><p>In total, the Illinois Marine Transportation System contributes $36 billion to the state economy – or about 4 percent of Illinois’ gross state product – and supports 166,000 jobs, according to a recently published <a target="_blank" href="https://idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/Transportation-System/Reports/OP&P/Marine/2021/IMTS_Plan_March2021_Web_Final.pdf">economic impact study by the Illinois Department of Transportation</a>. The entire state system is made up of approximately 1,100 miles of commercially navigable waterways that provide Illinois with connections to both the Atlantic Ocean – through the St. Lawrence Seaway and the Great Lakes – and the Gulf of Mexico via the Mississippi River. </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="xeot" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-09-02]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
As Seen on the Illinois Tollway: Chicago-Area Waterways
Display date: 2021-09-02
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="jnff" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Diversity-logo-blog_0821 (1).png","name":"Diversity-logo-blog_0821 (1).png","width":"","description":"Diversity-logo-blog_0821 (1).png","title":"Diversity-logo-blog_0821 (1).png","type":"journal","uuid":"01f9df45-97d3-4e3f-50dd-0ce4fa0d13a4","fileEntryId":"1146576","resourcePrimKey":"1227274","url":"/documents/883951/989581/Diversity-logo-blog_0821%20%281%29.png/01f9df45-97d3-4e3f-50dd-0ce4fa0d13a4?t=1630352535193","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="9PHFet2u" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="iolk" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Diversity Advisory Council Updated on Disparity Studies]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="yhWqsGqy" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="jvhq" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Illinois Tollway leaders brought the Diversity Advisory Council together virtually in August to share updates and brief the group on the launch of two new disparity studies for both the Tollway’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program for engineering and construction work and its Business Enterprise Program (BEP) for goods and services.</p><p>The independent studies will examine the Tollway’s contracting practices for its BEP and DBE Program, both designed to reduce barriers that limit opportunities for small, minority- and women-owned firms to participate on contracts awarded by the agency. </p><p>“We are committed to diversity and are proud of the strong progress we have made in awarding a growing number of contracts to diverse businesses competing to take part in our Move Illinois capital program,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “We are looking to these studies to help guide our future efforts as we continue setting goals on contracts of all types of contracts to ensure the participation of small, veteran, minority- and women-owned businesses.”</p><p>The disparity studies are being conducted by Colette Holt & Associates are part of a continuing effort by the Tollway to ensure equal opportunities in all aspects of Tollway contracting and consulting.</p><p>Each of the studies will includes comprehensive research along with its own robust outreach beginning with an introductory webinar offered in August and continuing into next year with surveys and interviews of stakeholders, business owners and Tollway staff.</p><p>The studies will also involve detailed analyses of how the agency solicits and awards contracts, including reviewing the use of the agency’s BEP and DBE Program. The studies will also examine geographic and product markets for availability as well as utilization economy-wide revenue comparisons to determine whether disparities exist between the participation of DBEs in the contracting process and the availability of such businesses for those contracts.</p><p>Anyone interested will be able to view information on websites for each of the disparity studies, also accessible in the Diversity section of the Tollway’s website <a href="/doing-business/diversity-overview">here</a>. </p><p>Tollway leaders also provided the council with updates on its ongoing work to increase access to opportunities for small businesses, D/M/WBEs and underemployed individuals through a variety of specialized programs, including the Small Business Initiative, Partnering for Growth Program, ConstructionWorks and the ongoing Building for Success Webinar Series.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="kocy" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-08-30]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Diversity Advisory Council Updated on Disparity Studies
Display date: 2021-08-30
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="umvv" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"MDOT-MobileBariier-blog_0821.jpg","name":"MDOT-MobileBariier-blog_0821.jpg","width":"","description":"MDOT-MobileBariier-blog_0821.jpg","title":"MDOT-MobileBariier-blog_0821.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"5a21e5f5-a4ae-e182-b741-a56b2dc6c500","fileEntryId":"1144024","resourcePrimKey":"1227287","url":"/documents/883951/989581/MDOT-MobileBariier-blog_0821.jpg/5a21e5f5-a4ae-e182-b741-a56b2dc6c500?t=1629314047439","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="QrKVLFI6" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="gymu" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Distance No Barrier to Interest in Illinois Tollway’s Mobile Barrier System]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="wQlyqT6d" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="kcyb" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Innovative safety equipment used by the Illinois Tollway to better protect roadway workers and emergency responders is drawing attention—and visits--from other transportation agencies.<br /> <br />Michigan Department of Transportation leaders recently traveled more than 200 miles to the Tollway’s Alsip maintenance site to learn how and when the Tollway deploys the two mobile work zone barriers in its inventory to create a protected zone that shields workers from passing traffic.<br /> <br />After reviewing with Tollway staff, the way the agency uses the truck-towed, 83-foot-long mobile barriers, Michigan officials left impressed.<br /> <br />“I was very skeptical initially, but now I could see it being beneficial to us for our roads,” said Matthew Pratt, transportation maintenance coordinator for Michigan DOT, who led the 13-person delegation that met with Tollway staff and got a first-hand look at the mobile barrier based at the M-1 site in Alsip. “It’s great we were able to come here, see it and ask (Tollway) staff questions about how they use it.” <br /> <br />The Tollway purchased the mobile barriers about five years ago to increase the level of protection provided to Tollway maintenance staff and emergency responders working along busy roads next to fast-moving traffic.<br /> <br />When used on the road, the bright-yellow steel barrier forms a protective outer wall that seals off workers from vehicles passing in active traffic lanes. The barriers include a fold-down, crash attenuator mounted on the end of the barrier to provide additional protection to workers from rear-end crashes.<br /> <br />“We’ve definitely worked to invest in protecting our workers and the contractors who are maintaining and repairing our roads, as well as the first responders who are investigating roadway incidents,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “It’s great our agency’s staff is able to share their experiences to help fellow transportation agencies as they look to protect their own workers.”</p><p>Since buying the barriers, the Tollway typically uses each one about 20 hours weekly to create a safe work zone for a variety of tasks, including pavement repairs, rolling lane closures, roadway lighting work and assisting contractors with maintenance of traffic in work zones. <br /> <br />Illinois State Police District 15 troopers also employ the barriers during accident reconstructions and to help protect the scene in the event of a major crash.<br /> <br />The barrier carries extra lighting and a generator to help illuminate work zones or crash scenes to assist workers and emergency responders.<br /> <br />Working behind the mobile barrier, crews can focus less on the passing traffic and more on the task at hand, minimizing the impact of repairs and incidents for drivers. The sheer size and visibility of the barrier, which includes a rear electronic message board to alert drivers to road repairs or incidents, encourages drivers to slow down as they approach it.<br /> <br />When it comes to safety, more is better, especially when it’s mobile.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="nvqq" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-08-18]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Distance No Barrier to Interest in Illinois Tollway’s Mobile Barrier System
Display date: 2021-08-18
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="hitk" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"LajobieMosley-Lion_blog_0821.png","name":"LajobieMosley-Lion_blog_0821.png","width":"","description":"LajobieMosley-Lion_blog_0821.png","title":"LajobieMosley-Lion_blog_0821.png","type":"journal","uuid":"c6be4b9e-caca-6f00-78a2-a0ee7aefe5bc","fileEntryId":"1141313","resourcePrimKey":"1227300","url":"/documents/883951/989581/LajobieMosley-Lion_blog_0821.png/c6be4b9e-caca-6f00-78a2-a0ee7aefe5bc?t=1628866814908","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="x0Vn4Oi7" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="ksnp" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Construction business finds success building and repairing roads with help from Illinois Tollway’s Technical Assistance Program]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="XBD3V5HL" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="logv" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Lajobie Mosley started off building houses, but now the firm he owns, Lion Construction, builds and repairs roads, including portions of the Illinois Tollway system.<br /> <br />“It’s a good feeling to drive on a road you know you helped build,” said Mosley. “The beautiful thing about concrete is it will be there for a long time.”<br /> <br />Mosley’s firm is preparing to begin work in August on a $1.1 million project to repair pavement on the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) in the Schaumburg area. His company specializes in doing road-related concrete and asphalt work and has worked on numerous road projects for transportation agencies in Illinois.</p><p>The contract he won from the Tollway in June marks the second time his company is serving as a prime contractor on an agency project. <br /> <br />Mosley attributes some of his success in winning Tollway contracts to his participation in the Tollway’s Technical Assistance Program, which is designed to help small, diverse firms gain the skills and knowledge that will enable them to better compete for work on agency construction projects. </p><p>All emerging firms are eligible to join the program, including disadvantaged, minority- and women-owned business enterprises (D/M/WBE) veteran-owned small businesses (VOSB) and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses (SDVOSB).<br /> <br />“It’s a huge help,” Mosley said of the program. “It opens up a beautiful doorway of opportunity with the Tollway. I wouldn’t have the road project I have now if I wasn’t participating in it.”<br /> <br />His technical assistance provider, Inner-City Underwriting, helped Mosley obtain a surety bond of up to $1 million, which enables his company to bid on projects as part of the Tollway’s Small Business Initiative.</p><p>Inner-City also provided guidance on preparing estimates for project costs and doing other administrative tasks, although Mosley said he relies on the organization to help out with whatever issues occur.<br /> <br />“They’ve been great to deal with. If I have questions, they’ll help me find the answers,” said Mosley, who serves as company president.<br /> <br />This year, his company is working on contracts valued at about $2 million, and he expects that figure to grow going forward as the economy rebounds and he continues bidding for roadway projects with the Tollway and other transportation agencies.<br /> <br />He is watching for the Tollway to seek bids for more work under its Small Business Initiative, which allows emerging businesses to compete for smaller contracts with other similar-sized firms, which creates a more level field for businesses attempting to win Tollway contracts.<br /> <br />“When you’re dealing with your peers, it’s much more competitive,” he said. “It’s pretty tough when you’re bidding against companies that are much larger.”<br /> <br />Since it was established, the Tollway’s Technical Assistance Program has provided support and training to more than 750 emerging firms working to succeed and grow in the 12 counties of northern Illinois served by the Tollway. <br /> <br />“Our Technical Assistance program increases the opportunities for small, diverse firms to gain the skills and experience needed to participate in Tollway projects, which not only benefits those businesses but helps the Tollway by creating a larger pool of skilled contractors who are available to work on our projects,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “We’re proud of the success we’ve had with it and our committed to continuing and expanding this program to ensure all qualified firms have an opportunity to compete for Tollway contracts.”</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="vjax" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-08-13]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Construction business finds success building and repairing roads with help from Illinois Tollway’s Technical Assistance Program
Display date: 2021-08-13
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="oezn" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"1141309","groupId":"20184","name":"53839","alt":"LajobieMosley-Lion_blog_0821.png","title":"LajobieMosley-Lion_blog_0821.png","type":"journal","uuid":"c6be4b9e-caca-6f00-78a2-a0ee7aefe5bc","fileEntryId":"1141313","resourcePrimKey":"1139900"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="fofyffro" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="gorx" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Construction business finds success building and repairing roads with help from Illinois Tollway’s Technical Assistance Program]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="rkkgvbii" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="ladf" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Lajobie Mosley started off building houses, but now the firm he owns, Lion Construction, builds and repairs roads, including portions of the Illinois Tollway system.<br /> <br />“It’s a good feeling to drive on a road you know you helped build,” said Mosley. “The beautiful thing about concrete is it will be there for a long time.”<br /> <br />Mosley’s firm is preparing to begin work in August on a $1.1 million project to repair pavement on the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) in the Schaumburg area. His company specializes in doing road-related concrete and asphalt work and has worked on numerous road projects for transportation agencies in Illinois.</p><p>The contract he won from the Tollway in June marks the second time his company is serving as a prime contractor on an agency project. <br /> <br />Mosley attributes some of his success in winning Tollway contracts to his participation in the Tollway’s Technical Assistance Program, which is designed to help small, diverse firms gain the skills and knowledge that will enable them to better compete for work on agency construction projects. </p><p>All emerging firms are eligible to join the program, including disadvantaged, minority- and women-owned business enterprises (D/M/WBE) veteran-owned small businesses (VOSB) and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses (SDVOSB).<br /> <br />“It’s a huge help,” Mosley said of the program. “It opens up a beautiful doorway of opportunity with the Tollway. I wouldn’t have the road project I have now if I wasn’t participating in it.”<br /> <br />His technical assistance provider, Inner-City Underwriting, helped Mosley obtain a surety bond of up to $1 million, which enables his company to bid on projects as part of the Tollway’s Small Business Initiative.</p><p>Inner-City also provided guidance on preparing estimates for project costs and doing other administrative tasks, although Mosley said he relies on the organization to help out with whatever issues occur.<br /> <br />“They’ve been great to deal with. If I have questions, they’ll help me find the answers,” said Mosley, who serves as company president.<br /> <br />This year, his company is working on contracts valued at about $2 million, and he expects that figure to grow going forward as the economy rebounds and he continues bidding for roadway projects with the Tollway and other transportation agencies.<br /> <br />He is watching for the Tollway to seek bids for more work under its Small Business Initiative, which allows emerging businesses to compete for smaller contracts with other similar-sized firms, which creates a more level field for businesses attempting to win Tollway contracts.<br /> <br />“When you’re dealing with your peers, it’s much more competitive,” he said. “It’s pretty tough when you’re bidding against companies that are much larger.”<br /> <br />Since it was established, the Tollway’s Technical Assistance Program has provided support and training to more than 750 emerging firms working to succeed and grow in the 12 counties of northern Illinois served by the Tollway. <br /> <br />“Our Technical Assistance program increases the opportunities for small, diverse firms to gain the skills and experience needed to participate in Tollway projects, which not only benefits those businesses but helps the Tollway by creating a larger pool of skilled contractors who are available to work on our projects,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “We’re proud of the success we’ve had with it and our committed to continuing and expanding this program to ensure all qualified firms have an opportunity to compete for Tollway contracts.”</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="czzd" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-08-13]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Construction business finds success building and repairing roads with help from Illinois Tollway’s Technical Assistance Program
Display date: 2021-08-13
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="fexj" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"1141170","groupId":"20184","name":"53832","alt":"First Beam Up-MLB-SB-blog_0821.png","title":"First Beam Up-MLB-SB-blog_0821.png","type":"journal","uuid":"502c9e62-bd90-b720-419f-b301add8a08c","fileEntryId":"1141174","resourcePrimKey":"1141513"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="ityjsebf" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="kfzl" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Making Way For the New Mile Long Bridge Beams]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="pbkjrvky" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="zjum" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Deliveries have restarted to truck massive prestressed concrete beams from Wisconsin to the Mile Long Bridge construction site on the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) – this time for construction of the new southbound bridge.</p><p>In 2020, 273 concrete beams made the 100-mile-long trip for construction of the northbound Mile Long Bridge structure and nearby ramps. Now, 250 additional concrete beams will be trucked in for the southbound structure in as the Tollway works to complete the $500 million project.</p><p>After crossing the state line, special 10-foot-wide, 14-axle heavy-load semi-trailers, can be seen slowly traveling eastbound on the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) and southbound on I-294 to the construction site along with their Illinois State Police District 15 escorts between 4 a.m. and noon on weekdays. </p><p>Each of the concrete beams being transported weighs approximately 115 tons measure between 72 and 90 inches tall and between 111 and 187 feet long giving other drivers on the road quite a show. </p><p>After arriving at the construction site, the trucks with the beams are parked along the bridge work zone, then giant cranes transfer the beams to new bridge piers. These initial bridge beams are being placed to build the new southbound Mile Long Bridge over the Des Plaines River and the Lawndale Avenue Solids Management Area owned by the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District during daytime hours.</p><p>“This massive project is right on schedule, and as we continue to move bridge construction forward, we are working to ensure the roadway remains safe for both drivers and workers during construction, which is part of our overall commitment to safety,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez.</p><p>The Mile Long Bridge carries up to 150,000 vehicles daily over two major railroads, the Des Plaines River, the Chicago Sanitary & Ship Canal and the Illinois & Michigan Canal and local roads, and over several major distribution centers. The Illinois Tollway is reconstructing the bridge as part of the $4 billion Central Tri-State Tollway Project, reconstructing and widening 22 miles of roadway between Balmoral Avenue and 95th Street.</p><p>Bridge beam deliveries will continue into early 2022 for the new southbound Mile Long Bridge Project. In addition to the concrete beams, 165 steel beam segments also will be delivered from a fabrication site in Kentucky during the course of the project. The steel segments will be combined to form 52 steel beams that will be installed over the County Forest Preserve property and the Chicago Sanitary & Ship Canal. Each of the steel beam segments will measure between 86 and 120 inches tall and between 39 and 234 feet long.</p><p>The Mile Long Bridge Project includes building two, new side-by-side 4,800-foot-long bridge structures designed to last 100 years and increasing capacity to five lanes in each direction. The original bridge structures were built in 1958.</p><p>Construction of the new northbound structure was completed in 2020 and construction of the new southbound structure is scheduled to be complete in 2022. </p><p>Both of the new bridges feature 27 spans supported by 26 piers, compared to the previous structures with 53 piers, reducing the impact on waterways, roadway and rail operations below. In addition, the bridges’ inside shoulders in both directions will be built to serve as Flex Lanes for transit, for emergency vehicles and as an alternate lane when warranted.</p><p>To learn more about the Mile Long Bridge Project and see views from real-time construction, check out the project webpage <a target="_blank" href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/projects/tri-state/mile-long-bridge-project">here</a>.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="lapv" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-08-12]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Making Way For the New Mile Long Bridge Beams
Display date: 2021-08-12
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="xpmd" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"TL5-BarrierWall-blog_0821.png","name":"TL5-BarrierWall-blog_0821.png","width":"","description":"TL5-BarrierWall-blog_0821.png","title":"TL5-BarrierWall-blog_0821.png","type":"journal","uuid":"140fec43-b7ee-bb54-7368-9d869890d187","fileEntryId":"1140860","resourcePrimKey":"1227326","url":"/documents/883951/989581/TL5-BarrierWall-blog_0821.png/140fec43-b7ee-bb54-7368-9d869890d187?t=1628777546861","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="feYiFmaN" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="bucu" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[National Safety Council recognizes Illinois Tollway’s innovative new barrier design]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="9yddfzB7" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="char" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The National Safety Council has named the Illinois Tollway’s new, advanced barrier wall a semi-finalist for the Green Cross for Safety Awards in the innovation category. </p><p>The Green Cross for Safety Awards recognize various outstanding projects and organizations working to save lives and prevent injuries. Finalists will be recognized at an awards ceremony in Orlando on October 11. </p><p>The new barrier wall helped the Illinois Tollway overcome a longstanding maintenance and operations challenge: When constructing noisewalls behind roadway barriers, a 4-foot buffer was required. However, that space created significant maintenance issues including the accumulation of difficult-to-remove debris, impeding snow storage activities and overall less space on the right-of-way. </p><p>The Illinois Tollway designed a unique solution: a noisewall attached to a barrier. Called the Constant Slope Barrier System, it is the first barrier design of its kind that meets the uniform guidelines for crash-testing permanent and temporary highway safety features outlined in the Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH), Test Level 5, a set of safety recommendations developed by the American Association of Highway and Transportation Officials. </p><p>By bringing together the barrier and noisewall, the new structure has a smaller footprint than typical roadway barriers. This frees up space for construction activities, emergencies or for motorists to pull out of traffic and minimizes the need for added right-of-way. </p><p>The new barrier is designed to accommodate vehicles typically found on an interstate highway and to minimize impact from vehicles as large as an 80,000-pound tractor trailer.</p><p>While the design was primarily intended to address operational needs, it also resulted in numerous safety improvements. The combination of the raised and constant sloped barrier reduces the potential for rollover accidents involving cars and trucks in accordance with MASH TL-5 standards. </p><p>The Illinois Tollway worked with the Texas A&M Transportation Institute to perform simulation of the current 42-inch barrier and the 6-foot barrier. The 6-foot barrier system was physically crash tested in September 2019 and was witnessed by 25 state departments of transportation, the Federal Highway Administration and the Ontario Ministry of Transportation. Many of these agencies are now looking to implement this design into their own barrier systems. </p><p>The new barrier design is now included in all Illinois Tollway contracts and has been installed at several locations on the five roadways that make up the 294-mile Illinois Tollway system in Northern Illinois. </p><p>This is the second time the Illinois Tollway has been recognized by the National Safety Council for the Green Cross for Safety Awards in the innovation category. In 2020, the Illinois Tollway was named a finalist for the Safety Innovation Award for its smart work zones. That same year, the Illinois Tollway’s Teen Driver Safety Initiative was named a semi-finalist for the Safety Advocate Award. </p><p>Click <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nsc.org/support-nsc/green-cross/semifinalists">here</a> to read the National Safety Council Green Cross for Safety Award announcement.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="vfyp" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-08-11]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
National Safety Council recognizes Illinois Tollway’s innovative new barrier design
Display date: 2021-08-11
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="xmgb" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"1140816","groupId":"20184","name":"53822","alt":"TL5-BarrierWall-blog_0821.png","title":"TL5-BarrierWall-blog_0821.png","type":"journal","uuid":"140fec43-b7ee-bb54-7368-9d869890d187","fileEntryId":"1140860","resourcePrimKey":"1141526"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="Rtc8grEN" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="mzkt" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[National Safety Council recognizes Illinois Tollway’s innovative new barrier design]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="AW0rC4eT" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="ehqy" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The National Safety Council has named the Illinois Tollway’s new, advanced barrier wall a semi-finalist for the Green Cross for Safety Awards in the innovation category. </p><p>The Green Cross for Safety Awards recognize various outstanding projects and organizations working to save lives and prevent injuries. Finalists will be recognized at an awards ceremony in Orlando on October 11. </p><p>The new barrier wall helped the Illinois Tollway overcome a longstanding maintenance and operations challenge: When constructing noisewalls behind roadway barriers, a 4-foot buffer was required. However, that space created significant maintenance issues including the accumulation of difficult-to-remove debris, impeding snow storage activities and overall less space on the right-of-way. </p><p>The Illinois Tollway designed a unique solution: a noisewall attached to a barrier. Called the Constant Slope Barrier System, it is the first barrier design of its kind that meets the uniform guidelines for crash-testing permanent and temporary highway safety features outlined in the Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH), Test Level 5, a set of safety recommendations developed by the American Association of Highway and Transportation Officials. </p><p>By bringing together the barrier and noisewall, the new structure has a smaller footprint than typical roadway barriers. This frees up space for construction activities, emergencies or for motorists to pull out of traffic and minimizes the need for added right-of-way. </p><p>The new barrier is designed to accommodate vehicles typically found on an interstate highway and to minimize impact from vehicles as large as an 80,000-pound tractor trailer.</p><p>While the design was primarily intended to address operational needs, it also resulted in numerous safety improvements. The combination of the raised and constant sloped barrier reduces the potential for rollover accidents involving cars and trucks in accordance with MASH TL-5 standards. </p><p>The Illinois Tollway worked with the Texas A&M Transportation Institute to perform simulation of the current 42-inch barrier and the 6-foot barrier. The 6-foot barrier system was physically crash tested in September 2019 and was witnessed by 25 state departments of transportation, the Federal Highway Administration and the Ontario Ministry of Transportation. Many of these agencies are now looking to implement this design into their own barrier systems. </p><p>The new barrier design is now included in all Illinois Tollway contracts and has been installed at several locations on the five roadways that make up the 294-mile Illinois Tollway system in Northern Illinois. </p><p>This is the second time the Illinois Tollway has been recognized by the National Safety Council for the Green Cross for Safety Awards in the innovation category. In 2020, the Illinois Tollway was named a finalist for the Safety Innovation Award for its smart work zones. That same year, the Illinois Tollway’s Teen Driver Safety Initiative was named a semi-finalist for the Safety Advocate Award. </p><p>Click <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nsc.org/support-nsc/green-cross/semifinalists">here</a> to read the National Safety Council Green Cross for Safety Award announcement.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="qnsr" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-08-11]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
National Safety Council recognizes Illinois Tollway’s innovative new barrier design
Display date: 2021-08-11
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="lifc" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"MLB_WillowSprings_blog_0821.jpg","name":"MLB_WillowSprings_blog_0821.jpg","width":"","description":"MLB_WillowSprings_blog_0821.jpg","title":"MLB_WillowSprings_blog_0821.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"1a924ded-9e40-615a-fd81-d7dd95f076dc","fileEntryId":"1137989","resourcePrimKey":"1227339","url":"/documents/883951/989581/MLB_WillowSprings_blog_0821.jpg/1a924ded-9e40-615a-fd81-d7dd95f076dc?t=1628091207915","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="GBeMc0IG" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="izhk" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Bridges Featured at National Bridge Symposium ]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="LpgsVsUg" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="buvn" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>With a variety of highly impressive bridge projects underway, the Illinois Tollway was invited to share its expertise at this year’s annual bridge symposium hosted by the Structural Engineers Association of Illinois and the National Council of Structural Engineers Association. </p><p>The July virtual conference featured a webinar by Acting Chief Engineering Officer Manar Nashif and Deputy Chief of Program Implementation Lanyea Griffin highlighting the Mile Long Bridge and Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway bridge projects on the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) and new interchanges for the new I-490 Tollway. </p><p>The Tollway webinar provided a general overview on the status of major bridge projects underway on the I-490 Tollway and I-294. In addition, a webinar by Tollway project manager exp U.S. Services Inc. focused on technical aspects of the design of ramp bridges on the I-490/I-90 interchange.</p><p>The $500 million Mile Long Bridge Project is one of the Tollway’s most ambitious bridge projects in the Move Illinois Program. The two bridges that make up the Mile Long Bridge traverse two major railroads, three waterways, local roads and major distribution facilities for UPS and BNSF. A critical piece of infrastructures on I-294, the Mile Long Bridge serves up to 150,000 vehicle a day. </p><p>Construction of the two new, wider 4,800-foot-long bridge structures started in 2019, with the northbound structure completed in 2020 and the southbound structure scheduled to be completed in 2022. Each of the new structures will have fewer piers to reduce the environmental impact on the waterways and industrial areas below. Each structure will have 27 spans supported by 26 piers, compared to the 53 piers supporting each of the original structures. </p><p>The Mile Long Bridge is being built to accommodate the foreseeable future needs of the traveling public to the greatest extent possible, with the new structures expected to last as long as 100 years. </p><p>Further up the road, the Illinois Tollway is reconstructing the BNSF Railway Bridge, which carries the railroad over I-294 between Hinsdale and Western Springs, to accommodate the reconstruction and widening of the Central Tri-State Tollway. </p><p>The existing bridge will be replaced with a longer, wider two-span steel beam structure that will accommodate four tracks and allow for reconstruction and widening of the Tollway underneath. The new fourth track on the bridge will be used for maintenance purposes by BNSF. </p><p>Working in coordination with the BNSF Railway, the Illinois Tollway is providing for uninterrupted commuter rail and freight operations during bridge reconstruction. BNSF and Metra trains are currently using a temporary bypass bridge while construction of the new bridge is underway. On average, approximately 104 Metra and Amtrak trains cross the bridge daily, as well as 52 daily freight trains. </p><p>As part of the construction of the new I-490 Tollway, new interchanges will connect to I-90, I-294 and the Illinois Route 390 Tollway. </p><p>The I-490/I-90 Interchange will significantly improve travel and enhance mobility throughout the adjoining communities by connecting the new tollway to the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90). The $120 million project to construct the new interchange will consist of four ramps, including a ramp bridge over I-90 connecting westbound I-90 to I-490 and will also include construction of a new multi-span bridge that will carry I-490 over the Metropolitan Water Reclamation of Greater Chicago’s Touhy Avenue Reservoir south of I-90.</p><p>The new I-490/IL 390 Interchange will feature four flyover ramps connecting the two Tollway roadways, along with two ramp bridges connecting to the west side of O’Hare International Airport. The $340 million project includes construction of three miles of I-490 Tollway mainline roadway along with 16 ramps and 15 bridges to deliver full mobility on the west side of the airport. </p><p>Four flyover ramp bridges will include 24 concrete piers and 24 steel girders to support the new ramps with a total length of 3,800 feet. Bridge decks will be 50 feet above grade at their highest points. In addition, the two ramp bridges connecting to the west side of the airport will both total 1,900 feet in length with 17 steel girders to support the new ramps.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="gjbe" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-08-03]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Bridges Featured at National Bridge Symposium
Display date: 2021-08-03
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="xbqg" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"1137922","groupId":"20184","name":"53762","alt":"MLB_WillowSprings_blog_0821.jpg","title":"MLB_WillowSprings_blog_0821.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"1a924ded-9e40-615a-fd81-d7dd95f076dc","fileEntryId":"1137989","resourcePrimKey":"1141539"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="VaDGl8Oz" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="kdyu" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Bridges Featured at National Bridge Symposium ]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="LQ7MoQxR" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="aasj" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>With a variety of highly impressive bridge projects underway, the Illinois Tollway was invited to share its expertise at this year’s annual bridge symposium hosted by the Structural Engineers Association of Illinois and the National Council of Structural Engineers Association. </p><p>The July virtual conference featured a webinar by Acting Chief Engineering Officer Manar Nashif and Deputy Chief of Program Implementation Lanyea Griffin highlighting the Mile Long Bridge and Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway bridge projects on the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) and new interchanges for the new I-490 Tollway. </p><p>The Tollway webinar provided a general overview on the status of major bridge projects underway on the I-490 Tollway and I-294. In addition, a webinar by Tollway project manager exp U.S. Services Inc. focused on technical aspects of the design of ramp bridges on the I-490/I-90 interchange.</p><p>The $500 million Mile Long Bridge Project is one of the Tollway’s most ambitious bridge projects in the Move Illinois Program. The two bridges that make up the Mile Long Bridge traverse two major railroads, three waterways, local roads and major distribution facilities for UPS and BNSF. A critical piece of infrastructures on I-294, the Mile Long Bridge serves up to 150,000 vehicle a day. </p><p>Construction of the two new, wider 4,800-foot-long bridge structures started in 2019, with the northbound structure completed in 2020 and the southbound structure scheduled to be completed in 2022. Each of the new structures will have fewer piers to reduce the environmental impact on the waterways and industrial areas below. Each structure will have 27 spans supported by 26 piers, compared to the 53 piers supporting each of the original structures. </p><p>The Mile Long Bridge is being built to accommodate the foreseeable future needs of the traveling public to the greatest extent possible, with the new structures expected to last as long as 100 years. </p><p>Further up the road, the Illinois Tollway is reconstructing the BNSF Railway Bridge, which carries the railroad over I-294 between Hinsdale and Western Springs, to accommodate the reconstruction and widening of the Central Tri-State Tollway. </p><p>The existing bridge will be replaced with a longer, wider two-span steel beam structure that will accommodate four tracks and allow for reconstruction and widening of the Tollway underneath. The new fourth track on the bridge will be used for maintenance purposes by BNSF. </p><p>Working in coordination with the BNSF Railway, the Illinois Tollway is providing for uninterrupted commuter rail and freight operations during bridge reconstruction. BNSF and Metra trains are currently using a temporary bypass bridge while construction of the new bridge is underway. On average, approximately 104 Metra and Amtrak trains cross the bridge daily, as well as 52 daily freight trains. </p><p>As part of the construction of the new I-490 Tollway, new interchanges will connect to I-90, I-294 and the Illinois Route 390 Tollway. </p><p>The I-490/I-90 Interchange will significantly improve travel and enhance mobility throughout the adjoining communities by connecting the new tollway to the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90). The $120 million project to construct the new interchange will consist of four ramps, including a ramp bridge over I-90 connecting westbound I-90 to I-490 and will also include construction of a new multi-span bridge that will carry I-490 over the Metropolitan Water Reclamation of Greater Chicago’s Touhy Avenue Reservoir south of I-90.</p><p>The new I-490/IL 390 Interchange will feature four flyover ramps connecting the two Tollway roadways, along with two ramp bridges connecting to the west side of O’Hare International Airport. The $340 million project includes construction of three miles of I-490 Tollway mainline roadway along with 16 ramps and 15 bridges to deliver full mobility on the west side of the airport. </p><p>Four flyover ramp bridges will include 24 concrete piers and 24 steel girders to support the new ramps with a total length of 3,800 feet. Bridge decks will be 50 feet above grade at their highest points. In addition, the two ramp bridges connecting to the west side of the airport will both total 1,900 feet in length with 17 steel girders to support the new ramps.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="ozdx" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-08-03]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Bridges Featured at National Bridge Symposium
Display date: 2021-08-03
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="odri" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"FireworksCrash-blog_0721.jpg","name":"FireworksCrash-blog_0721.jpg","width":"","description":"FireworksCrash-blog_0721.jpg","title":"FireworksCrash-blog_0721.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"6ae5c3fd-7ca4-e81e-d6cb-26ac2092a78f","fileEntryId":"1136651","resourcePrimKey":"1227352","url":"/documents/883951/989581/FireworksCrash-blog_0721.jpg/6ae5c3fd-7ca4-e81e-d6cb-26ac2092a78f?t=1627565579247","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="UANsJe3w" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="kego" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Crash sets off fireworks, quick response douses danger and reopens roads]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="NDJGRWBG" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="qxnv" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Illinois Tollway emergency responders used to handling roadway crashes, fires and medical crises know that fireworks can erupt at any time—literally.</p><p>Last month, a commercial truck slammed into a barrier wall on the Tri-State Tollway (I-294), igniting its cargo of fireworks and triggering a fire so intense it shut down northbound I-294 and also closed St. Charles Road as flames scorched the underside of the bridge carrying it over the toll road.</p><p>But a rapid response to the June 4 crash on northbound I-294 by Tollway roadway workers, Illinois State Police and local fire departments quickly stabilized the situation and safely diverted other drivers away from the flames, which also forced the closure of the ramp connecting I-290 to St. Charles Road.</p><p>Despite the intensity of the early-morning blaze, Tollway crews were able to partially reopen northbound I-294 in about 3 hours, and had all lanes reopened later that day.</p><p>Working with its engineers and the Illinois Department of Transportation, the Tollway was able to conduct testing to determine that beams supporting St. Charles Road where it crosses I-294 were still intact, which allowed the road and I-290 ramp to open the following day.</p><p>“This was a dangerous and extremely unusual situation, but our roadway workers, Illinois State Police and other emergency responders reacted quickly and professionally to protect our customers,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “The outstanding work performed by everyone in this operation demonstrates the skill and cooperation we rely on to rapidly react to emergencies to keep our customers safe.”</p><p>Following the crash, Tollway road workers within minutes shut down northbound I-294 to keep drivers away from the burning vehicle and then began diverting vehicles onto nearby I-290 to keep traffic from coming to a standstill and slowing other emergency responders rushing to the scene. Some southbound lanes of I-294 also were closed to allow emergency vehicles—particularly fire engines—to approach the crash from that direction and get close enough to help extinguish the flames.</p><p>“We moved a lot of units to the scene very quickly and that was critical in keeping other drivers away from the crash and providing enough room so firefighters could get in to knock down the fire,” said Steve Mednis, the Tollway’s general manager of traffic and incident management.</p><p>Some vehicles on northbound I-294 that were blocked by the crash had to be turned around and evacuated out of the area for their own safety. The driver whose truck crashed escaped with minor injuries, and no other drivers or rescue workers were hurt.</p><p>After firefighter extinguished the stubborn fire, heavy-lift tow trucks that had staged nearby on a ramp move in to pull the charred truck out from under the St. Charles Road overpass and off I-294.</p><p>Tollway consultants inspected the barrier wall and pavement for crash and fire damage. A temporary crash attenuator barrier in place for construction had to be replaced but inspections found only superficial pavement damage that didn’t require any resurfacing work.</p><p>Lift trucks were brought in so engineers could inspect the scorched underside of St. Charles Road and take core samples of beams supporting the bridge to ensure they remained structurally sound. After the testing revealed the beams were intact, St. Charles Road and the ramp connecting it to I-290 were reopened the day after the crash.</p><p>“You hope you won’t have to deal with extreme situations like this but it is satisfying when our response goes smoothly and we’re able to protect our customers and reopen our roads within a matter of hours,” Mednis said.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="dvrz" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-07-29]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Crash sets off fireworks, quick response douses danger and reopens roads
Display date: 2021-07-29
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="mgxg" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"1136531","groupId":"20184","name":"53740","alt":"FireworksCrash-blog_0721.jpg","title":"FireworksCrash-blog_0721.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"6ae5c3fd-7ca4-e81e-d6cb-26ac2092a78f","fileEntryId":"1136651","resourcePrimKey":"1141552"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="S8R0plIX" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="blfs" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Crash sets off fireworks, quick response douses danger and reopens roads]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="htSXOZpJ" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="smuf" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Illinois Tollway emergency responders used to handling roadway crashes, fires and medical crises know that fireworks can erupt at any time—literally.</p><p>Last month, a commercial truck slammed into a barrier wall on the Tri-State Tollway (I-294), igniting its cargo of fireworks and triggering a fire so intense it shut down northbound I-294 and also closed St. Charles Road as flames scorched the underside of the bridge carrying it over the toll road.</p><p>But a rapid response to the June 4 crash on northbound I-294 by Tollway roadway workers, Illinois State Police and local fire departments quickly stabilized the situation and safely diverted other drivers away from the flames, which also forced the closure of the ramp connecting I-290 to St. Charles Road.</p><p>Despite the intensity of the early-morning blaze, Tollway crews were able to partially reopen northbound I-294 in about 3 hours, and had all lanes reopened later that day.</p><p>Working with its engineers and the Illinois Department of Transportation, the Tollway was able to conduct testing to determine that beams supporting St. Charles Road where it crosses I-294 were still intact, which allowed the road and I-290 ramp to open the following day.</p><p>“This was a dangerous and extremely unusual situation, but our roadway workers, Illinois State Police and other emergency responders reacted quickly and professionally to protect our customers,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “The outstanding work performed by everyone in this operation demonstrates the skill and cooperation we rely on to rapidly react to emergencies to keep our customers safe.”</p><p>Following the crash, Tollway road workers within minutes shut down northbound I-294 to keep drivers away from the burning vehicle and then began diverting vehicles onto nearby I-290 to keep traffic from coming to a standstill and slowing other emergency responders rushing to the scene. Some southbound lanes of I-294 also were closed to allow emergency vehicles—particularly fire engines—to approach the crash from that direction and get close enough to help extinguish the flames.</p><p>“We moved a lot of units to the scene very quickly and that was critical in keeping other drivers away from the crash and providing enough room so firefighters could get in to knock down the fire,” said Steve Mednis, the Tollway’s general manager of traffic and incident management.</p><p>Some vehicles on northbound I-294 that were blocked by the crash had to be turned around and evacuated out of the area for their own safety. The driver whose truck crashed escaped with minor injuries, and no other drivers or rescue workers were hurt.</p><p>After firefighter extinguished the stubborn fire, heavy-lift tow trucks that had staged nearby on a ramp move in to pull the charred truck out from under the St. Charles Road overpass and off I-294.</p><p>Tollway consultants inspected the barrier wall and pavement for crash and fire damage. A temporary crash attenuator barrier in place for construction had to be replaced but inspections found only superficial pavement damage that didn’t require any resurfacing work.</p><p>Lift trucks were brought in so engineers could inspect the scorched underside of St. Charles Road and take core samples of beams supporting the bridge to ensure they remained structurally sound. After the testing revealed the beams were intact, St. Charles Road and the ramp connecting it to I-290 were reopened the day after the crash.</p><p>“You hope you won’t have to deal with extreme situations like this but it is satisfying when our response goes smoothly and we’re able to protect our customers and reopen our roads within a matter of hours,” Mednis said.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="navy" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-07-29]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Crash sets off fireworks, quick response douses danger and reopens roads
Display date: 2021-07-29
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="ehsz" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"294-beautyshot-DSC0901-blog_0321-01 (1).jpg","name":"294-beautyshot-DSC0901-blog_0321-01 (1).jpg","width":"","description":"294-beautyshot-DSC0901-blog_0321-01 (1).jpg","title":"294-beautyshot-DSC0901-blog_0321-01 (1).jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"362e23d1-9926-8178-ee87-70b939667fa5","fileEntryId":"1136479","resourcePrimKey":"1227365","url":"/documents/883951/989581/294-beautyshot-DSC0901-blog_0321-01%20%281%29.jpg/362e23d1-9926-8178-ee87-70b939667fa5?t=1627473903511","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="GimKqihz" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="nndn" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Traffic rebounds but travel patterns changing as drivers continue returning this summer to Illinois Tollway]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="fbcsOBjd" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="kdvz" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The extended July 4th weekend is always busy on the Illinois Tollway as drivers travel to holiday barbecues and Independence Day celebrations, but this year—despite the pandemic—the Tollway system was even busier than expected.</p><p>During the lengthy holiday weekend, nearly 9.4 million vehicles traveled on the Tollway system—more than the 9.3 million projected to use the toll roads during that time. The number of vehicles—based on toll transactions--was almost back to the pre-pandemic levels recorded over the July 4th weekend in 2019.</p><p>And the increase in travelers over the holiday weekend not only reflects the continuing rebound in traffic as the pandemic eases, it also reflects a shift in traffic patterns as more drivers travel at different times during the day, especially on weekdays.</p><p>Commercial traffic remains strong, with toll transactions for trucks up about 8 percent from pre-pandemic levels as consumers and the transportation industry adjust to new economic patterns.</p><p>Saturday traffic also is rising, indicating more leisure and recreational travel is occurring this spring and summer as the economy has reopened.</p><p>During the holiday weekend, Saturday traffic was unexpectedly high. More than 1.5 million vehicles used the Illinois Tollway on Saturday, July 3, exceeding the projected total of 1.4 million vehicles and making it the second busiest travel day of the extended, six-day holiday weekend. That number exceeded the number of drivers using the Tollway during either weekend day of the July 4th holiday in 2019.</p><p>“We’re pleased to see more drivers returning to our roads as the pandemic eases, with many commuting to jobs as our economy expands, while other are getting out and finally taking long-delayed vacations,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “We’re continuing to provide the same high level of safety and convenience to our customers whenever they choose to travel on our system.”</p><p>While total passenger vehicle traffic remains lower than it was before the pandemic, weekend traffic volumes are returning to normal levels more rapidly than weekday traffic.</p><p>The Tollway is seeing some recent increases in vehicle traffic on Saturdays, where transaction volumes are up between 2 percent and 5 percent, which appears to reflect rising leisure and recreational travel in recent months.</p><p>Weekday traffic is spread more evenly throughout the day, with fewer vehicles traveling during peak morning rush hours, apparently because some employees are working more flexible hours, including heading to their jobs later in the day.</p><p>Spreading that traffic out over a longer period of time during the midday and afternoon is resulting in less congestion during morning and evening rush hours. That change benefits not just passenger vehicles but also commercial trucks, allowing them to more easily travel with less congestion on the Tollway system during those rush hours.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="kgyp" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-07-27]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Traffic rebounds but travel patterns changing as drivers continue returning this summer to Illinois Tollway
Display date: 2021-07-27
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="jsqc" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"1135753","groupId":"20184","name":"53732","alt":"294-beautyshot-DSC0901-blog_0321-01 (1).jpg","title":"294-beautyshot-DSC0901-blog_0321-01 (1).jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"362e23d1-9926-8178-ee87-70b939667fa5","fileEntryId":"1136479","resourcePrimKey":"1141565"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="SdtE08SB" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="uqnq" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Traffic rebounds but travel patterns changing as drivers continue returning this summer to Illinois Tollway]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="Ti8EWPwf" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="qbil" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The extended July 4th weekend is always busy on the Illinois Tollway as drivers travel to holiday barbecues and Independence Day celebrations, but this year—despite the pandemic—the Tollway system was even busier than expected.</p><p>During the lengthy holiday weekend, nearly 9.4 million vehicles traveled on the Tollway system—more than the 9.3 million projected to use the toll roads during that time. The number of vehicles—based on toll transactions--was almost back to the pre-pandemic levels recorded over the July 4th weekend in 2019.</p><p>And the increase in travelers over the holiday weekend not only reflects the continuing rebound in traffic as the pandemic eases, it also reflects a shift in traffic patterns as more drivers travel at different times during the day, especially on weekdays.</p><p>Commercial traffic remains strong, with toll transactions for trucks up about 8 percent from pre-pandemic levels as consumers and the transportation industry adjust to new economic patterns.</p><p>Saturday traffic also is rising, indicating more leisure and recreational travel is occurring this spring and summer as the economy has reopened.</p><p>During the holiday weekend, Saturday traffic was unexpectedly high. More than 1.5 million vehicles used the Illinois Tollway on Saturday, July 3, exceeding the projected total of 1.4 million vehicles and making it the second busiest travel day of the extended, six-day holiday weekend. That number exceeded the number of drivers using the Tollway during either weekend day of the July 4th holiday in 2019.</p><p>“We’re pleased to see more drivers returning to our roads as the pandemic eases, with many commuting to jobs as our economy expands, while other are getting out and finally taking long-delayed vacations,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “We’re continuing to provide the same high level of safety and convenience to our customers whenever they choose to travel on our system.”</p><p>While total passenger vehicle traffic remains lower than it was before the pandemic, weekend traffic volumes are returning to normal levels more rapidly than weekday traffic.</p><p>The Tollway is seeing some recent increases in vehicle traffic on Saturdays, where transaction volumes are up between 2 percent and 5 percent, which appears to reflect rising leisure and recreational travel in recent months.</p><p>Weekday traffic is spread more evenly throughout the day, with fewer vehicles traveling during peak morning rush hours, apparently because some employees are working more flexible hours, including heading to their jobs later in the day.</p><p>Spreading that traffic out over a longer period of time during the midday and afternoon is resulting in less congestion during morning and evening rush hours. That change benefits not just passenger vehicles but also commercial trucks, allowing them to more easily travel with less congestion on the Tollway system during those rush hours.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="dfoa" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-07-27]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Traffic rebounds but travel patterns changing as drivers continue returning this summer to Illinois Tollway
Display date: 2021-07-27
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="sszh" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"BetterMousetrapWinner-blog_0721.png","name":"BetterMousetrapWinner-blog_0721.png","width":"","description":"BetterMousetrapWinner-blog_0721.png","title":"BetterMousetrapWinner-blog_0721.png","type":"journal","uuid":"5114558f-4103-ad26-f039-19dc1e6c3b2a","fileEntryId":"1136037","resourcePrimKey":"1227378","url":"/documents/883951/989581/BetterMousetrapWinner-blog_0721.png/5114558f-4103-ad26-f039-19dc1e6c3b2a?t=1627068314834","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="9SDLPzCo" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="kndr" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Wins FHWA Better Mousetrap Competition]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="vudd2Zcy" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="zdte" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Federal Highway Administration selected the Illinois Tollway’s Roadway Electric Training System as one of the winners of its 2021 Build a Better Mousetrap Competition. It is the first time an Illinois project has been selected as a winner of this national award since the competition began in 2009. </p><p>The innovative training system was designed by veteran roadway lighting technicians Ben Pierce, Nick Perez and Eric Johnson to provide a more efficient, effective way to train probationary technicians.</p><p>“This national recognition highlights the kind of innovative thinking that makes the Illinois Tollway one of the best transportation agencies in the country,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “We are proud to have an environment where everyone can contribute to making improvements that help everyone do a better job.” </p><p>Each year, the FHWA’s Better Mousetrap Competition looks for practical, proven and cost-effective innovations from transportation agencies across the country. The FHWA collaborates with Local Technical Assistance Program Centers to identify best practices of local transportation agencies, recognize the individuals and organizations that have found a better way to perform day-to-day business and share their improvements with their peers nationwide. </p><p>The Tollway’s Roadway Electric Training System was one of three projects submitted on behalf of Illinois transportation agencies through the Illinois Department of Transportation’s Technology Transfer Program. The Tollway won in the Bold Steps category, which recognizes a locally relevant high-risk project or process showing a breakthrough solution with demonstrated high reward. </p><p>The Build a Better Mousetrap Competition solicits ideas and inventions that focus on new or modified tools and equipment or feature streamlined processes that help local transportation agencies increase safety, reduce costs and improve efficiencies. </p><p>The Tollway’s Roadway Electric Training System checked all those boxes. </p><p>The new, portable training equipment is safe and efficient. It can be transported and set up at any maintenance facility or anywhere else in about an hour. This allows seasoned roadway electric workers to conduct the trainings side by side with probationary technicians in a safe, comfortable environment. </p><p>Previously, standard practice was to train roadway electrical workers in the field under sometimes challenging conditions – working with high-voltage electricity during rain or snow storms or trying to communicate over the roar of high-speed traffic nearby. </p><p>The Roadway Electric Training System is cost-effective, as well. It was built using mostly discarded or scrap parts found around Illinois Tollway facilities – an old light pole, lights and wires from poles damaged in roadway incidents and wood, metal and other parts from the carpenter and sign shops. In total, the new equipment cost about $1,315 – about half as much as it might cost to buy off the shelf. </p><p>See the FHWA announcement <a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e69LMrl2x4M">here</a>.</p><h2>Watch the video here</h2><p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/H4cGsNDe5qI?rel=0" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" tabindex="0"></iframe></p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="jpek" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-07-23]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Wins FHWA Better Mousetrap Competition
Display date: 2021-07-23
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="qrfe" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"1135523","groupId":"20184","name":"53723","alt":"BetterMousetrapWinner-blog_0721.png","title":"BetterMousetrapWinner-blog_0721.png","type":"journal","uuid":"5114558f-4103-ad26-f039-19dc1e6c3b2a","fileEntryId":"1136037","resourcePrimKey":"1141578"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="Bng2UIbe" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="inzz" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Wins FHWA Better Mousetrap Competition]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="y94kVAxH" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="ajzg" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Federal Highway Administration selected the Illinois Tollway’s Roadway Electric Training System as one of the winners of its 2021 Build a Better Mousetrap Competition. It is the first time an Illinois project has been selected as a winner of this national award since the competition began in 2009. </p><p>The innovative training system was designed by veteran roadway lighting technicians Ben Pierce, Nick Perez and Eric Johnson to provide a more efficient, effective way to train probationary technicians.</p><p>“This national recognition highlights the kind of innovative thinking that makes the Illinois Tollway one of the best transportation agencies in the country,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “We are proud to have an environment where everyone can contribute to making improvements that help everyone do a better job.” </p><p>Each year, the FHWA’s Better Mousetrap Competition looks for practical, proven and cost-effective innovations from transportation agencies across the country. The FHWA collaborates with Local Technical Assistance Program Centers to identify best practices of local transportation agencies, recognize the individuals and organizations that have found a better way to perform day-to-day business and share their improvements with their peers nationwide. </p><p>The Tollway’s Roadway Electric Training System was one of three projects submitted on behalf of Illinois transportation agencies through the Illinois Department of Transportation’s Technology Transfer Program. The Tollway won in the Bold Steps category, which recognizes a locally relevant high-risk project or process showing a breakthrough solution with demonstrated high reward. </p><p>The Build a Better Mousetrap Competition solicits ideas and inventions that focus on new or modified tools and equipment or feature streamlined processes that help local transportation agencies increase safety, reduce costs and improve efficiencies. </p><p>The Tollway’s Roadway Electric Training System checked all those boxes. </p><p>The new, portable training equipment is safe and efficient. It can be transported and set up at any maintenance facility or anywhere else in about an hour. This allows seasoned roadway electric workers to conduct the trainings side by side with probationary technicians in a safe, comfortable environment. </p><p>Previously, standard practice was to train roadway electrical workers in the field under sometimes challenging conditions – working with high-voltage electricity during rain or snow storms or trying to communicate over the roar of high-speed traffic nearby. </p><p>The Roadway Electric Training System is cost-effective, as well. It was built using mostly discarded or scrap parts found around Illinois Tollway facilities – an old light pole, lights and wires from poles damaged in roadway incidents and wood, metal and other parts from the carpenter and sign shops. In total, the new equipment cost about $1,315 – about half as much as it might cost to buy off the shelf. </p><p>See the FHWA announcement <a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e69LMrl2x4M">here</a>.</p><h2>Watch the video here</h2><p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/H4cGsNDe5qI?rel=0" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" tabindex="0"></iframe></p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="thdu" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-07-23]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Wins FHWA Better Mousetrap Competition
Display date: 2021-07-23
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="uspj" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"KozikRide-blog-015532_0721.jpg","name":"KozikRide-blog-015532_0721.jpg","width":"","description":"KozikRide-blog-015532_0721.jpg","title":"KozikRide-blog-015532_0721.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"fd6410c7-6d7f-a6ff-8ac5-8970bb6ef30f","fileEntryId":"1134377","resourcePrimKey":"1227391","url":"/documents/883951/989581/KozikRide-blog-015532_0721.jpg/fd6410c7-6d7f-a6ff-8ac5-8970bb6ef30f?t=1626716457054","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="Z9t9JQlb" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="xadn" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Hundreds Turn Out to Support Fallen State Troopers and Their Families]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="QMoJcaom" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="ysie" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Hundreds of motorcycle riders and custom car enthusiasts met up on Saturday, July 17, at Illinois Tollway headquarters in Downers Grove for the Lieutenant Rich Kozik Memorial Park Motorcycle and Fun Car Run.</p><p>The annual fundraiser supports the Illinois State Police Heritage Foundation Memorial Park, a 1.5-acre memorial tribute to fallen troopers that serves as a place of solace for their families, friends and colleagues. The park emphasizes the Illinois State Police core values of integrity, service and pride through inscriptions on various park features such as sculptures, statues and monuments. </p><p>Lieutenant Rich Kozik served the Illinois State Police for 19 years, including working in District 15 as the special operations lieutenant responsible for overseeing the motorcycle unit, among other enforcement patrols, and actively promoting the statewide “Start Seeing Motorcycles” safety campaign. </p><p>He combined his passion for motorcycles with his dedication to the Illinois State Police by coming up with the idea for a motorcycle run to raise funds for the Memorial Park, which began in 2008 with 50 riders and has since grown to more than 500 participants each year. The run was named in his honor after he passed away while on duty in 2018. </p><p>Each year, the ride departs from Tollway headquarters in Downers Grove and three other sites throughout Illinois – Dwight, Bloomington and O’Fallon. Escorted by Illinois State Police motorcycle patrol officers, participants travel along historic Route 66 and meet up at the ISP Memorial Park in Springfield. </p><p>The Tollway welcomes the event each year in support of its own Illinois State Police District – District 15 – whose troopers to patrol the Tollway system and serve the safety needs of Tollway customers. </p><p>“The Illinois Tollway shares with the Illinois State Police a commitment to protecting motorists and everyone who works on our roads,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “We appreciate their service and honor the memory of those who have sacrificed so much for the people of Illinois.” </p><p>Among the motorcycle riders and cruisers gathered at the Tollway’s parking lots were State Police supporters from the Patriots, Road Docs, Windy City, Blue Knights, American PRIDE and other motorcycle clubs. Also on display at the Downers Grove site was the 100-Year Anniversary ISP patrol car, a classic look inspired by the vehicles used by State Police in the 1950s.</p><p>Check out photos of this year’s run on Facebook at ISP-Memorial-Park-Motorcycle-and-Fun-Car-Run or on Twitter – @ISPHFMP or #ISP2021RIDE. Visit the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.isphf.org/">ISP Heritage Foundation website</a> to learn more about the Memorial Wall and ways to support the foundation.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="cyfu" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-07-19]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Hundreds Turn Out to Support Fallen State Troopers and Their Families
Display date: 2021-07-19
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="cest" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"1134342","groupId":"20184","name":"53625","alt":"KozikRide-blog-015532_0721.jpg","title":"KozikRide-blog-015532_0721.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"fd6410c7-6d7f-a6ff-8ac5-8970bb6ef30f","fileEntryId":"1134377","resourcePrimKey":"1141591"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="wRVln1Bt" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="cxvn" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Hundreds Turn Out to Support Fallen State Troopers and Their Families]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="aBpyOyIh" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="cfpe" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Hundreds of motorcycle riders and custom car enthusiasts met up on Saturday, July 17, at Illinois Tollway headquarters in Downers Grove for the Lieutenant Rich Kozik Memorial Park Motorcycle and Fun Car Run.</p><p>The annual fundraiser supports the Illinois State Police Heritage Foundation Memorial Park, a 1.5-acre memorial tribute to fallen troopers that serves as a place of solace for their families, friends and colleagues. The park emphasizes the Illinois State Police core values of integrity, service and pride through inscriptions on various park features such as sculptures, statues and monuments. </p><p>Lieutenant Rich Kozik served the Illinois State Police for 19 years, including working in District 15 as the special operations lieutenant responsible for overseeing the motorcycle unit, among other enforcement patrols, and actively promoting the statewide “Start Seeing Motorcycles” safety campaign. </p><p>He combined his passion for motorcycles with his dedication to the Illinois State Police by coming up with the idea for a motorcycle run to raise funds for the Memorial Park, which began in 2008 with 50 riders and has since grown to more than 500 participants each year. The run was named in his honor after he passed away while on duty in 2018. </p><p>Each year, the ride departs from Tollway headquarters in Downers Grove and three other sites throughout Illinois – Dwight, Bloomington and O’Fallon. Escorted by Illinois State Police motorcycle patrol officers, participants travel along historic Route 66 and meet up at the ISP Memorial Park in Springfield. </p><p>The Tollway welcomes the event each year in support of its own Illinois State Police District – District 15 – whose troopers to patrol the Tollway system and serve the safety needs of Tollway customers. </p><p>“The Illinois Tollway shares with the Illinois State Police a commitment to protecting motorists and everyone who works on our roads,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “We appreciate their service and honor the memory of those who have sacrificed so much for the people of Illinois.” </p><p>Among the motorcycle riders and cruisers gathered at the Tollway’s parking lots were State Police supporters from the Patriots, Road Docs, Windy City, Blue Knights, American PRIDE and other motorcycle clubs. Also on display at the Downers Grove site was the 100-Year Anniversary ISP patrol car, a classic look inspired by the vehicles used by State Police in the 1950s.</p><p>Check out photos of this year’s run on Facebook at ISP-Memorial-Park-Motorcycle-and-Fun-Car-Run or on Twitter – @ISPHFMP or #ISP2021RIDE. Visit the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.isphf.org/">ISP Heritage Foundation website</a> to learn more about the Memorial Wall and ways to support the foundation.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="kfcb" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-07-19]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Hundreds Turn Out to Support Fallen State Troopers and Their Families
Display date: 2021-07-19
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="dhsq" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"I-PASS security-blog_0621 copy.jpg","name":"I-PASS security-blog_0621 copy.jpg","width":"","description":"I-PASS security-blog_0621 copy.jpg","title":"I-PASS security-blog_0621 copy.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"ba17cb58-8243-650a-706d-f51f0125f24d","fileEntryId":"1130468","resourcePrimKey":"1227404","url":"/documents/883951/989581/I-PASS%20security-blog_0621%20copy.jpg/ba17cb58-8243-650a-706d-f51f0125f24d?t=1624903228205","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="B3Ts1OPI" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="irto" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Tollway Supports Measure to Notify Customers of Subpoenaed I-PASS Information, Hopes to Prevent Release in Future]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="uA7jgGH4" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="nctp" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>As part of its ongoing effort to protect customers’ privacy, the Illinois Tollway supported legislation aimed at preventing the release of customer information, as well as the requirement to notify customers when their information is subpoenaed in a non-emergency or civil case. <br /> <br />“We are committed to protecting the privacy of our customers, and we support any legislation that will help us achieve that goal,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “This legislation will help guide our agency in the handling of customer information related to court ordered subpoenas.” <br /> <br />In recent years, lawmakers noted the Illinois Tollway’s legal obligation to comply with court-ordered subpoenas, and the opportunity for abuse of the Tollway’s transaction data within Illinois’ subpoena laws. In response, the Illinois Tollway committed to working with lawmakers to develop better ways to protect customer information. Notably, the Tollway backed a measure to prevent the mandatory release of customer information in civil case proceedings, while also supporting a measure guiding the agency’s response, and subsequent customer notification, in instances of subpoenas in civil court. <br /> <br />In the end, a compromise emerged in Senate Bill 2235, which outlines the steps the Tollway should follow in response to court ordered civil subpoenas, including notifying an I-PASS customers within seven days that their transaction records have been subpoenaed as part of a court proceeding or police investigation.<br /> <br />Currently, no I-PASS records are released for any reason other than under a mandatory court order. The Illinois Tollway does not sell data to third party providers, nor does the Tollway use customer data for any other reason than to ensure the enforcement of unpaid tolls and violations. <br /> <br />State law currently bars the release of private I-PASS information without a valid subpoena or search warrant.<br /> <br />The Tollway worked with the General Assembly to ensure the measure complied with existing record retention laws as well as would not impede urgent matters related to law enforcement requiring a warrant or otherwise authorized by a judge. The final measure is sponsored by State Sen. Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines).<br /> <br />The pending legislation was approved by both chambers, but due to a technical change is awaiting a concurrence vote in the Illinois Senate. </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="gflg" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-06-28]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Tollway Supports Measure to Notify Customers of Subpoenaed I-PASS Information, Hopes to Prevent Release in Future
Display date: 2021-06-28
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="tdte" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"1130464","groupId":"20184","name":"53367","alt":"I-PASS security-blog_0621 copy.jpg","title":"I-PASS security-blog_0621 copy.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"ba17cb58-8243-650a-706d-f51f0125f24d","fileEntryId":"1130468","resourcePrimKey":"1141604"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="36RMYU6p" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="vkxt" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Tollway Supports Measure to Notify Customers of Subpoenaed I-PASS Information, Hopes to Prevent Release in Future]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="Ad5Y9Ydk" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="shqp" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>As part of its ongoing effort to protect customers’ privacy, the Illinois Tollway supported legislation aimed at preventing the release of customer information, as well as the requirement to notify customers when their information is subpoenaed in a non-emergency or civil case. <br /> <br />“We are committed to protecting the privacy of our customers, and we support any legislation that will help us achieve that goal,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “This legislation will help guide our agency in the handling of customer information related to court ordered subpoenas.” <br /> <br />In recent years, lawmakers noted the Illinois Tollway’s legal obligation to comply with court-ordered subpoenas, and the opportunity for abuse of the Tollway’s transaction data within Illinois’ subpoena laws. In response, the Illinois Tollway committed to working with lawmakers to develop better ways to protect customer information. Notably, the Tollway backed a measure to prevent the mandatory release of customer information in civil case proceedings, while also supporting a measure guiding the agency’s response, and subsequent customer notification, in instances of subpoenas in civil court. <br /> <br />In the end, a compromise emerged in Senate Bill 2235, which outlines the steps the Tollway should follow in response to court ordered civil subpoenas, including notifying an I-PASS customers within seven days that their transaction records have been subpoenaed as part of a court proceeding or police investigation.<br /> <br />Currently, no I-PASS records are released for any reason other than under a mandatory court order. The Illinois Tollway does not sell data to third party providers, nor does the Tollway use customer data for any other reason than to ensure the enforcement of unpaid tolls and violations. <br /> <br />State law currently bars the release of private I-PASS information without a valid subpoena or search warrant.<br /> <br />The Tollway worked with the General Assembly to ensure the measure complied with existing record retention laws as well as would not impede urgent matters related to law enforcement requiring a warrant or otherwise authorized by a judge. The final measure is sponsored by State Sen. Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines).<br /> <br />The pending legislation was approved by both chambers, but due to a technical change is awaiting a concurrence vote in the Illinois Senate. </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="mdcx" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-06-28]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Tollway Supports Measure to Notify Customers of Subpoenaed I-PASS Information, Hopes to Prevent Release in Future
Display date: 2021-06-28
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="fqib" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"IPASS-Assist-info-blog-v2_0621.jpg","name":"IPASS-Assist-info-blog-v2_0621.jpg","width":"","description":"IPASS-Assist-info-blog-v2_0621.jpg","title":"IPASS-Assist-info-blog-v2_0621.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"f3a59fab-8d35-6e2e-ddc7-a14051aa4e6c","fileEntryId":"1127721","resourcePrimKey":"1227430","url":"/documents/883951/989581/IPASS-Assist-info-blog-v2_0621.jpg/f3a59fab-8d35-6e2e-ddc7-a14051aa4e6c?t=1624373637489","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="rESDWE7d" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="duut" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Significantly Expands I-PASS Assist Program]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="jQHheDT2" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="yutp" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p><strong>Illinois Tollway aims to ensure everyone is able to attain and retain the benefits of I-PASS</strong></p><p>The Illinois Tollway today opened enrollment to a significantly enhanced I-PASS Assist program to help customers realize the benefits of I-PASS. The program’s aim is to ensure all Illinois residents are able to both attain, and more importantly retain, the financial benefits of using an I-PASS transponder when traveling on the Illinois Tollway system. </p><p>“Communities across Illinois rely on our roads and highways to get from point A to B safely every day, whether they are commuting to work, taking kids to school, or delivering goods and services,” <strong>said Governor JB Pritzker</strong>. “Thanks to the new I-PASS Assist program, working families will receive critical financial relief that will remove barriers to access to the I-PASS system and offer all residents equal access to the Illinois Tollway System.”</p><p>I-PASS customers save 50% on tolls and have the advantage of easily managing vehicles and travel costs online. As a condition of these benefits, customers are required to fund their accounts prior to incurring tolls, periodically replenish their accounts and maintain a transponder in their vehicle. Often times, economically disadvantaged customers are reluctant to sign up for I-PASS due to the deposit required on transponders as well as the initial minimum prepayment and minimum, ongoing auto-replenishment amounts when account balances become low.</p><p>“To complement the improvements made to our system, expanding the current I-PASS Assist program is critical to making sure customers have access to the benefits of I-PASS,”<strong> said Illinois Tollway Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Will Evans.</strong> “Through a partnership with the Illinois Department of Revenue, the Illinois Tollway is making it easy for customers to determine if they are eligible to join I-PASS Assist.”</p><p>“Our team has worked tirelessly on a plan to ensure our system is equitable and fair, and we’re now building on the success of our extensive violation relief efforts to eliminate the challenges many customers face in becoming regular Tollway customers,” <strong>said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez</strong>. “By lowering the initial costs of enrollment and ensuring fees don’t have a disparate impact on working families, we’re building a network of support to ensure all families are able to access the same I-PASS rate that the vast majority of our customers already enjoy.” </p><p>Under the enhanced I-PASS Assist Program, the financial requirements associated with an I-PASS have been reduced across the board–for qualifying customers. </p><ul><li>No transponder deposit required (currently $10 deposit)</li><li>Open and fund an account with as little as $4 in initial prepaid tolls (currently $20)</li><li>Automatic account replenishment on low balances, as little as $4 (currently $10 minimum)</li></ul><p>In addition, to help income-eligible customers retain the benefits of I-PASS, invoice fees, if any, will be eligible for dismissal through customer service for accounts in good standing. Fee avoidance has been found to be critical to assisting customers keep accounts in good standing. </p><p>To promote the program and provide an incentive for enrollment, for a limited time the Illinois Tollway is also offering a financial incentive to new eligible customers who successfully enroll and create an account. The incentive, approved by the Illinois Tollway Board of Directors in April, will come in the form of a gift card of up to $20 to be used at any retail store or grocery chain, certain restrictions apply.</p><p>“An expanded I-PASS Assist program is an important step toward making our transportation system more equitable,” <strong>said Erin Aleman, executive director of the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning</strong>. “When transportation connects people to economic opportunities, jobs and amenities, our entire region prospers.” </p><p>To be eligible for enrollment in I-PASS Assist, household income cannot exceed 250% of Federal Poverty Guidelines as verified by the Illinois Department of Revenue. For reference, an individual making $31,900/yr. and a family of four making $65,500/yr. would be eligible to enroll in I-PASS Assist. </p><p>Click <a href="/assist">here </a>to learn more.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="yhqq" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-06-23]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Significantly Expands I-PASS Assist Program
Display date: 2021-06-23
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="lvhf" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"IPASS-Assist-info-ES-blog_0621.jpg","name":"IPASS-Assist-info-ES-blog_0621.jpg","width":"","description":"IPASS-Assist-info-ES-blog_0621.jpg","title":"IPASS-Assist-info-ES-blog_0621.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"f6832752-3bdb-3912-f6a3-b1cbd07c46ae","fileEntryId":"1127817","resourcePrimKey":"1227417","url":"/documents/883951/989581/IPASS-Assist-info-ES-blog_0621.jpg/f6832752-3bdb-3912-f6a3-b1cbd07c46ae?t=1624375459605","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="RAeGyklS" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="ergp" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway expande el alcance del programa I-PASS Assist en gran medida]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="LEm8wTDC" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="pqse" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Hoy Illinois Tollway abrió la inscripción al programa I-PASS Assist, el cual incorpora grandes mejoras para permitir que los clientes disfruten de los beneficios de I-PASS. El programa tiene como objetivo garantizar que todos los residentes de Illinois puedan obtener y, aún más importante, conservar los beneficios económicos de un transpondedor de I-PASS mientras viajan en las autopistas de Illinois Tollway.</p><p>“Las comunidades en Illinois confían en nuestras rutas y autopistas para trasladarse con seguridad todos los días, ya sea para viajar al trabajo, llevar a sus hijos a la escuela o proveer bienes y servicios”, expresó el gobernador JB Pritzker. “Con el nuevo programa I-PASS Assist, las familias trabajadoras recibirán una importante ayuda económica que eliminará las trabas y les permitirá acceder al sistema de I-PASS. Además, el programa ofrece a todos los residentes un acceso igualitario al sistema de Illinois Tollway”.</p><p>Los clientes de I-PASS reciben un 50 % de descuento en los peajes y pueden administrar los costos de vehículos y viajes en Internet con facilidad. Para recibir estos beneficios, los clientes deben depositar dinero en sus cuentas antes de generar costos de peaje, recargar las cuentas con regularidad y conservar el transpondedor dentro del vehículo. Por lo general, los clientes que están en situaciones económicas desfavorables no quieren registrarse en I-PASS. Esto se debe al depósito obligatorio en los transpondedores, el pago previo inicial mínimo y los importes de recarga automática continuos y mínimos cuando el saldo de la cuenta es bajo.</p><p>“El equipo trabaja sin interrupciones para desarrollar un plan que garantice que nuestro sistema sea equitativo y justo. En este momento, aprovechamos el éxito de nuestros importantes esfuerzos para ayudar con los incumplimientos a fin de eliminar los desafíos que enfrentan nuestros clientes cuando se vuelven consumidores regulares de Tollway”, indicó José Alvarez, director ejecutivo de Illinois Tollway. “Gracias a que disminuimos los costos iniciales de inscripción y nos aseguramos de que los cargos no afecten de forma desigual a las familias trabajadoras, creamos una red de asistencia con el fin de garantizar que todas las familias puedan acceder a la misma tarifa de I-PASS que la gran mayoría de nuestros clientes ya disfrutan”.</p><p>Con el programa mejorado de I-PASS Assist, se redujeron los requisitos económicos asociados con I-PASS para la incorporación de clientes elegibles.</p><ul><li>No se requiere un depósito por el transpondedor (actualmente el depósito es de $10).</li><li>Se puede abrir una cuenta y colocar solo $4 para peajes iniciales con pagos previos (ahora es de $20).</li><li>La recarga automática en cuentas con balances mínimos puede ser solo de $4 (actualmente es de $10 como mínimo).</li></ul><p>Además, para ayudar a que los clientes elegibles según sus ingresos conserven los beneficios de I-PASS, podrán cancelarse las tarifas facturadas de las cuentas al día, si las hubiere, mediante Servicio de Atención al Cliente. Se concluyó que cancelar tarifas es clave para ayudar a los clientes a mantener las cuentas al día.</p><p>Por tiempo limitado y para promocionar el programa y ofrecer un incentivo para inscribirse, Illinois Tollway también ofrece un aliciente económico para los clientes elegibles nuevos que se inscriban y creen una cuenta con éxito. El aliciente, aprobado por la Junta Directiva de Illinois Tollway en abril, es una tarjeta de regalo de hasta $20 para usar en cualquier tienda o cadena de venta de comestibles, para la que se aplican determinadas restricciones.</p><p>“El programa de expansión de I-PASS Assist implica un paso importante para lograr que nuestro sistema de transporte sea más equitativo”, remarcó Erin Aleman, directora ejecutiva de la Agencia Metropolitana de Planificación de Chicago. “Si el sistema de transporte conecta a las personas con oportunidades económicas, puestos de trabajo y servicios, toda la región prosperará”.</p><p>Para ser elegible a fin de inscribirse a I-PASS Assist, el ingreso de un grupo familiar no puede superar el 250 % del Índice Federal de Pobreza, según lo verifique el Departamento de Recaudación de Illinois. A modo de referencia, una persona que tenga ingresos por $31.900 al año y una familia de cuatro miembros que tenga ingresos por $65.500 al año serían elegibles para inscribirse a I-PASS Assist.</p><p>Para obtener más información, los clientes interesados en inscribirse deben visitar el sitio web illinoistollway.com.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="vbpa" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-06-23]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway expande el alcance del programa I-PASS Assist en gran medida
Display date: 2021-06-23
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="uqcx" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"1127686","groupId":"20184","name":"53310","alt":"IPASS-Assist-info-blog-v2_0621.jpg","title":"IPASS-Assist-info-blog-v2_0621.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"f3a59fab-8d35-6e2e-ddc7-a14051aa4e6c","fileEntryId":"1127721","resourcePrimKey":"1141630"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="rdhYhivB" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="bkqx" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Significantly Expands I-PASS Assist Program]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="0c4tiDS7" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="rsbf" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p><strong>Illinois Tollway aims to ensure everyone is able to attain and retain the benefits of I-PASS</strong></p><p>The Illinois Tollway today opened enrollment to a significantly enhanced I-PASS Assist program to help customers realize the benefits of I-PASS. The program’s aim is to ensure all Illinois residents are able to both attain, and more importantly retain, the financial benefits of using an I-PASS transponder when traveling on the Illinois Tollway system. </p><p>“Communities across Illinois rely on our roads and highways to get from point A to B safely every day, whether they are commuting to work, taking kids to school, or delivering goods and services,” <strong>said Governor JB Pritzker</strong>. “Thanks to the new I-PASS Assist program, working families will receive critical financial relief that will remove barriers to access to the I-PASS system and offer all residents equal access to the Illinois Tollway System.”</p><p>I-PASS customers save 50% on tolls and have the advantage of easily managing vehicles and travel costs online. As a condition of these benefits, customers are required to fund their accounts prior to incurring tolls, periodically replenish their accounts and maintain a transponder in their vehicle. Often times, economically disadvantaged customers are reluctant to sign up for I-PASS due to the deposit required on transponders as well as the initial minimum prepayment and minimum, ongoing auto-replenishment amounts when account balances become low.</p><p>“To complement the improvements made to our system, expanding the current I-PASS Assist program is critical to making sure customers have access to the benefits of I-PASS,”<strong> said Illinois Tollway Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Will Evans.</strong> “Through a partnership with the Illinois Department of Revenue, the Illinois Tollway is making it easy for customers to determine if they are eligible to join I-PASS Assist.”</p><p>“Our team has worked tirelessly on a plan to ensure our system is equitable and fair, and we’re now building on the success of our extensive violation relief efforts to eliminate the challenges many customers face in becoming regular Tollway customers,” <strong>said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez</strong>. “By lowering the initial costs of enrollment and ensuring fees don’t have a disparate impact on working families, we’re building a network of support to ensure all families are able to access the same I-PASS rate that the vast majority of our customers already enjoy.” </p><p>Under the enhanced I-PASS Assist Program, the financial requirements associated with an I-PASS have been reduced across the board–for qualifying customers. </p><ul><li>No transponder deposit required (currently $10 deposit)</li><li>Open and fund an account with as little as $4 in initial prepaid tolls (currently $20)</li><li>Automatic account replenishment on low balances, as little as $4 (currently $10 minimum)</li></ul><p>In addition, to help income-eligible customers retain the benefits of I-PASS, invoice fees, if any, will be eligible for dismissal through customer service for accounts in good standing. Fee avoidance has been found to be critical to assisting customers keep accounts in good standing. </p><p>To promote the program and provide an incentive for enrollment, for a limited time the Illinois Tollway is also offering a financial incentive to new eligible customers who successfully enroll and create an account. The incentive, approved by the Illinois Tollway Board of Directors in April, will come in the form of a gift card of up to $20 to be used at any retail store or grocery chain, certain restrictions apply.</p><p>“An expanded I-PASS Assist program is an important step toward making our transportation system more equitable,” <strong>said Erin Aleman, executive director of the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning</strong>. “When transportation connects people to economic opportunities, jobs and amenities, our entire region prospers.” </p><p>To be eligible for enrollment in I-PASS Assist, household income cannot exceed 250% of Federal Poverty Guidelines as verified by the Illinois Department of Revenue. For reference, an individual making $31,900/yr. and a family of four making $65,500/yr. would be eligible to enroll in I-PASS Assist. </p><p>Click <a href="/assist">here </a>to learn more.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="emia" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-06-23]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Significantly Expands I-PASS Assist Program
Display date: 2021-06-23
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="brnt" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"1127781","groupId":"20184","name":"53316","alt":"IPASS-Assist-info-ES-blog_0621.jpg","title":"IPASS-Assist-info-ES-blog_0621.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"f6832752-3bdb-3912-f6a3-b1cbd07c46ae","fileEntryId":"1127817","resourcePrimKey":"1141617"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="Eoh7A5XE" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="xgfj" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway expande el alcance del programa I-PASS Assist en gran medida]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="gWCVf5vG" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="izdm" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Hoy Illinois Tollway abrió la inscripción al programa I-PASS Assist, el cual incorpora grandes mejoras para permitir que los clientes disfruten de los beneficios de I-PASS. El programa tiene como objetivo garantizar que todos los residentes de Illinois puedan obtener y, aún más importante, conservar los beneficios económicos de un transpondedor de I-PASS mientras viajan en las autopistas de Illinois Tollway.</p><p>“Las comunidades en Illinois confían en nuestras rutas y autopistas para trasladarse con seguridad todos los días, ya sea para viajar al trabajo, llevar a sus hijos a la escuela o proveer bienes y servicios”, expresó el gobernador JB Pritzker. “Con el nuevo programa I-PASS Assist, las familias trabajadoras recibirán una importante ayuda económica que eliminará las trabas y les permitirá acceder al sistema de I-PASS. Además, el programa ofrece a todos los residentes un acceso igualitario al sistema de Illinois Tollway”.</p><p>Los clientes de I-PASS reciben un 50 % de descuento en los peajes y pueden administrar los costos de vehículos y viajes en Internet con facilidad. Para recibir estos beneficios, los clientes deben depositar dinero en sus cuentas antes de generar costos de peaje, recargar las cuentas con regularidad y conservar el transpondedor dentro del vehículo. Por lo general, los clientes que están en situaciones económicas desfavorables no quieren registrarse en I-PASS. Esto se debe al depósito obligatorio en los transpondedores, el pago previo inicial mínimo y los importes de recarga automática continuos y mínimos cuando el saldo de la cuenta es bajo.</p><p>“El equipo trabaja sin interrupciones para desarrollar un plan que garantice que nuestro sistema sea equitativo y justo. En este momento, aprovechamos el éxito de nuestros importantes esfuerzos para ayudar con los incumplimientos a fin de eliminar los desafíos que enfrentan nuestros clientes cuando se vuelven consumidores regulares de Tollway”, indicó José Alvarez, director ejecutivo de Illinois Tollway. “Gracias a que disminuimos los costos iniciales de inscripción y nos aseguramos de que los cargos no afecten de forma desigual a las familias trabajadoras, creamos una red de asistencia con el fin de garantizar que todas las familias puedan acceder a la misma tarifa de I-PASS que la gran mayoría de nuestros clientes ya disfrutan”.</p><p>Con el programa mejorado de I-PASS Assist, se redujeron los requisitos económicos asociados con I-PASS para la incorporación de clientes elegibles.</p><ul><li>No se requiere un depósito por el transpondedor (actualmente el depósito es de $10).</li><li>Se puede abrir una cuenta y colocar solo $4 para peajes iniciales con pagos previos (ahora es de $20).</li><li>La recarga automática en cuentas con balances mínimos puede ser solo de $4 (actualmente es de $10 como mínimo).</li></ul><p>Además, para ayudar a que los clientes elegibles según sus ingresos conserven los beneficios de I-PASS, podrán cancelarse las tarifas facturadas de las cuentas al día, si las hubiere, mediante Servicio de Atención al Cliente. Se concluyó que cancelar tarifas es clave para ayudar a los clientes a mantener las cuentas al día.</p><p>Por tiempo limitado y para promocionar el programa y ofrecer un incentivo para inscribirse, Illinois Tollway también ofrece un aliciente económico para los clientes elegibles nuevos que se inscriban y creen una cuenta con éxito. El aliciente, aprobado por la Junta Directiva de Illinois Tollway en abril, es una tarjeta de regalo de hasta $20 para usar en cualquier tienda o cadena de venta de comestibles, para la que se aplican determinadas restricciones.</p><p>“El programa de expansión de I-PASS Assist implica un paso importante para lograr que nuestro sistema de transporte sea más equitativo”, remarcó Erin Aleman, directora ejecutiva de la Agencia Metropolitana de Planificación de Chicago. “Si el sistema de transporte conecta a las personas con oportunidades económicas, puestos de trabajo y servicios, toda la región prosperará”.</p><p>Para ser elegible a fin de inscribirse a I-PASS Assist, el ingreso de un grupo familiar no puede superar el 250 % del Índice Federal de Pobreza, según lo verifique el Departamento de Recaudación de Illinois. A modo de referencia, una persona que tenga ingresos por $31.900 al año y una familia de cuatro miembros que tenga ingresos por $65.500 al año serían elegibles para inscribirse a I-PASS Assist.</p><p>Para obtener más información, los clientes interesados en inscribirse deben visitar el sitio web illinoistollway.com.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="pvrq" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-06-23]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway expande el alcance del programa I-PASS Assist en gran medida
Display date: 2021-06-23
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="dfic" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"1125895","groupId":"20184","name":"53290","alt":"Bridges-blog_0621 copy.jpg","title":"Bridges-blog_0621 copy.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"a4e4a1ca-b921-de40-d7fd-3f8aecc9a082","fileEntryId":"1126374","resourcePrimKey":"1227443"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="Vm4qBKKr" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="xejp" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Building bridges brings the Illinois Tollway and communities together]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="JUSzVjpv" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="hhtt" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>At the Illinois Tollway, the start of every good construction project begins with coordination with local communities.<br /> <br />Reaching out to counties and communities when project planning begins provides the opportunity for the Tollway to ensure all are aware of potential impacts to local roads. It also opens the door to coordinate improvements and cost sharing, making public funds go farther. <br /> <br />This summer, the Tollway’s work includes coordinated efforts to rebuild two local crossroad bridges – one in Gurnee crossing the Tri-State Tollway (I-94) and another in Oak Brook crossing ramps connecting the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88) and the Tri-State Tollway (I-294). Both bridges are scheduled to be complete by the end of 2021.<br /> <br />“More than ever, we – counties, communities and the state – are all working together to achieve shared goals: stimulate the economy, create jobs and improve mobility throughout the region,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “While these may be small projects, collaborating to build local bridges represents all that is right about investments in infrastructure – our commitment to smart transportation planning, our capacity to share funding and our ability to improve travel.”<br /> <br />In Gurnee, the Tollway, Village of Gurnee and Lake County Division of Transportation are working together to replace the 70-year-old <a target="_blank" href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/projects/tri-state/stearns-school-road-bridge">Stearns School Road Bridge</a> over the Tri-State Tollway. The new bridge structure has been designed to provide for three lanes of tra¿c, wider shoulders, as well as additional bicycle and pedestrian access. Currently, up to 15,900 vehicles use the Stearns School Road Bridge daily.<br /> <br />Because the Illinois Tollway typically constructs new bridges with a 75-year service life, the new bridge is being built to accommodate future local roadway improvements anticipated by the village and the county, so the $12 million project includes $5.4 million in local cost participation from Village of Gurnee and Lake County for the extra improvements.<br /> <br />In Oak Brook, the Tollway is contributing $7.5 million to rebuild the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/projects/reagan/windsor-drive-bridge-project">Windsor Drive Bridge</a> carrying local tra¿c over the Tollway ramps connecting I-88 and I-294. The new, wider bridge will provide four lanes on Windsor Drive along with a 10-foot-wide landscaped median and sidewalks in both directions and is needed to accommodate work underway by the Village of Oak Brook to widen Windsor Drive Swift Road and Cermak Road. <br /> <br />Currently, up to 6,500 vehicles use the Windsor Drive Bridge daily, which includes some of the heaviest volumes of passenger and truck freight tra¿c in the Village of Oak Brook. The Tollway’s work to replace the bridge, supports work by Oak Brook to improve the frequently congested area and allow drivers to travel more safely, reliably and e¿ciently in DuPage County.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="stsy" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-06-17]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Building bridges brings the Illinois Tollway and communities together
Display date: 2021-06-17
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="ghjh" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"1125895","groupId":"20184","name":"53290","alt":"Bridges-blog_0621 copy.jpg","title":"Bridges-blog_0621 copy.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"a4e4a1ca-b921-de40-d7fd-3f8aecc9a082","fileEntryId":"1126374","resourcePrimKey":"1141643"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="YOgWXpvw" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="hune" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Building bridges brings the Illinois Tollway and communities together]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="en9SsfNY" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="yaph" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>At the Illinois Tollway, the start of every good construction project begins with coordination with local communities.<br /> <br />Reaching out to counties and communities when project planning begins provides the opportunity for the Tollway to ensure all are aware of potential impacts to local roads. It also opens the door to coordinate improvements and cost sharing, making public funds go farther. <br /> <br />This summer, the Tollway’s work includes coordinated efforts to rebuild two local crossroad bridges – one in Gurnee crossing the Tri-State Tollway (I-94) and another in Oak Brook crossing ramps connecting the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88) and the Tri-State Tollway (I-294). Both bridges are scheduled to be complete by the end of 2021.<br /> <br />“More than ever, we – counties, communities and the state – are all working together to achieve shared goals: stimulate the economy, create jobs and improve mobility throughout the region,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “While these may be small projects, collaborating to build local bridges represents all that is right about investments in infrastructure – our commitment to smart transportation planning, our capacity to share funding and our ability to improve travel.”<br /> <br />In Gurnee, the Tollway, Village of Gurnee and Lake County Division of Transportation are working together to replace the 70-year-old <a target="_blank" href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/projects/tri-state/stearns-school-road-bridge">Stearns School Road Bridge</a> over the Tri-State Tollway. The new bridge structure has been designed to provide for three lanes of tra¿c, wider shoulders, as well as additional bicycle and pedestrian access. Currently, up to 15,900 vehicles use the Stearns School Road Bridge daily.<br /> <br />Because the Illinois Tollway typically constructs new bridges with a 75-year service life, the new bridge is being built to accommodate future local roadway improvements anticipated by the village and the county, so the $12 million project includes $5.4 million in local cost participation from Village of Gurnee and Lake County for the extra improvements.<br /> <br />In Oak Brook, the Tollway is contributing $7.5 million to rebuild the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/projects/reagan/windsor-drive-bridge-project">Windsor Drive Bridge</a> carrying local tra¿c over the Tollway ramps connecting I-88 and I-294. The new, wider bridge will provide four lanes on Windsor Drive along with a 10-foot-wide landscaped median and sidewalks in both directions and is needed to accommodate work underway by the Village of Oak Brook to widen Windsor Drive Swift Road and Cermak Road. <br /> <br />Currently, up to 6,500 vehicles use the Windsor Drive Bridge daily, which includes some of the heaviest volumes of passenger and truck freight tra¿c in the Village of Oak Brook. The Tollway’s work to replace the bridge, supports work by Oak Brook to improve the frequently congested area and allow drivers to travel more safely, reliably and e¿ciently in DuPage County.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="boml" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-06-17]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Building bridges brings the Illinois Tollway and communities together
Display date: 2021-06-17
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="hodk" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"I90-ShortLightPole_MP27-blog_0621.jpg","name":"I90-ShortLightPole_MP27-blog_0621.jpg","width":"","description":"I90-ShortLightPole_MP27-blog_0621.jpg","title":"I90-ShortLightPole_MP27-blog_0621.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"209a0f8e-a677-cc25-0b13-cd3c7ff444c1","fileEntryId":"1126192","resourcePrimKey":"1227456","url":"/documents/883951/989581/I90-ShortLightPole_MP27-blog_0621.jpg/209a0f8e-a677-cc25-0b13-cd3c7ff444c1?t=1623873215196","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="Sz4QPi25" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="ttga" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[As Seen on the Tollway: Lights of Different Heights]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="CwAwNImv" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="zguy" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p class="x">Cruising along the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) at night, it’s impossible to miss the brilliant LED lights that illuminate the road to make driving safe and easy.<br /> <br />What’s less noticeable to drivers as they pass the evenly spaced light poles—all set about 75 yards apart—is that not all of the poles are the same height.<br /> <br />While virtually all of the light poles in the center median between Elgin and Rockford stand 50 feet tall—two in rural Boone County are dramatically shorter.<br /> <br />One light pole is 30 feet tall, while the one next to it is 20 feet high. <br /> <br /><strong>Why the miniature light poles?</strong><br /> <br />It turns out the poles are in the flight path of United Acres Airport, a small grass airfield located off Spring Center Road that is angled so planes landing and taking off there cross I-90 at low altitude.<br /> <br />When the Illinois Tollway started drafting plans for widening and reconstructing I-90 between Rockford and Elgin—a project that began in 2012 and included adding new LED lighting along the road—designers realized they would have to accommodate the flight path of the single-runway, privately-owned airfield recognized by the Federal Aviation Administration.<br /> <br />To provide the FAA-required safety clearance for the small aircraft using the airfield, the Tollway design team lowered the height of the two light poles near the end of the runway to ensure they would not interfere with the airfield’s flight path. Lowering the light poles protect pilots using the airfield while still providing drivers with the light they need to travel safely.<br /> <br />A sharp-eyed driver recently noticed the difference, prompting Rockford TV station WTVO to run <a target="_blank" href="https://www.mystateline.com/news/ask-eric-why-is-this-light-pole-on-i-90-shorter-than-the-others/">this story</a>. <br /> <br />While shorter light poles are rare along the 294-mile Tollway system, they’re not just confined to rural Boone County.<br /> <br />Several light poles along I-90 near Lee Street in Cook County are shorter for the same reason—to keep them out of the flight path of a runway at the better known, exponentially busier O’Hare International Airport. <br /> <br />“These are definitely unusual situations, but we’re always willing to make changes along our system that will enhance safety, not just for our customers but for everybody who lives or works near our roads—or flies over them,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. <br /> <br />On several other toll roads, including the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355) near North Avenue, and at several other locations along I-90, light poles in the median stand noticeably lower than other nearby poles.<br /> <br />The reason for the shorter light poles again is safety—not for pilots, but to provide a safe margin for overhead electrical transmission lines that cross the roadways at those locations.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="quaj" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-06-16]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
As Seen on the Tollway: Lights of Different Heights
Display date: 2021-06-16
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="ytdc" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"1125872","groupId":"20184","name":"53283","alt":"I90-ShortLightPole_MP27-blog_0621.jpg","title":"I90-ShortLightPole_MP27-blog_0621.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"209a0f8e-a677-cc25-0b13-cd3c7ff444c1","fileEntryId":"1126192","resourcePrimKey":"1141656"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="wmek8cqQ" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="dpql" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[As Seen on the Tollway: Lights of Different Heights]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="Q1cLdAeE" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="uxyy" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p class="x">Cruising along the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) at night, it’s impossible to miss the brilliant LED lights that illuminate the road to make driving safe and easy.<br /> <br />What’s less noticeable to drivers as they pass the evenly spaced light poles—all set about 75 yards apart—is that not all of the poles are the same height.<br /> <br />While virtually all of the light poles in the center median between Elgin and Rockford stand 50 feet tall—two in rural Boone County are dramatically shorter.<br /> <br />One light pole is 30 feet tall, while the one next to it is 20 feet high. <br /> <br /><strong>Why the miniature light poles?</strong><br /> <br />It turns out the poles are in the flight path of United Acres Airport, a small grass airfield located off Spring Center Road that is angled so planes landing and taking off there cross I-90 at low altitude.<br /> <br />When the Illinois Tollway started drafting plans for widening and reconstructing I-90 between Rockford and Elgin—a project that began in 2012 and included adding new LED lighting along the road—designers realized they would have to accommodate the flight path of the single-runway, privately-owned airfield recognized by the Federal Aviation Administration.<br /> <br />To provide the FAA-required safety clearance for the small aircraft using the airfield, the Tollway design team lowered the height of the two light poles near the end of the runway to ensure they would not interfere with the airfield’s flight path. Lowering the light poles protect pilots using the airfield while still providing drivers with the light they need to travel safely.<br /> <br />A sharp-eyed driver recently noticed the difference, prompting Rockford TV station WTVO to run <a target="_blank" href="https://www.mystateline.com/news/ask-eric-why-is-this-light-pole-on-i-90-shorter-than-the-others/">this story</a>. <br /> <br />While shorter light poles are rare along the 294-mile Tollway system, they’re not just confined to rural Boone County.<br /> <br />Several light poles along I-90 near Lee Street in Cook County are shorter for the same reason—to keep them out of the flight path of a runway at the better known, exponentially busier O’Hare International Airport. <br /> <br />“These are definitely unusual situations, but we’re always willing to make changes along our system that will enhance safety, not just for our customers but for everybody who lives or works near our roads—or flies over them,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. <br /> <br />On several other toll roads, including the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355) near North Avenue, and at several other locations along I-90, light poles in the median stand noticeably lower than other nearby poles.<br /> <br />The reason for the shorter light poles again is safety—not for pilots, but to provide a safe margin for overhead electrical transmission lines that cross the roadways at those locations.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="cqdh" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-06-16]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
As Seen on the Tollway: Lights of Different Heights
Display date: 2021-06-16
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="hzex" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"EZPass-coming-soon-map-blog_0621.jpg","name":"EZPass-coming-soon-map-blog_0621.jpg","width":"","description":"EZPass-coming-soon-map-blog_0621.jpg","title":"EZPass-coming-soon-map-blog_0621.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"b0360937-7e45-2c11-1696-8055471530b9","fileEntryId":"1122086","resourcePrimKey":"1227469","url":"/documents/883951/989581/EZPass-coming-soon-map-blog_0621.jpg/b0360937-7e45-2c11-1696-8055471530b9?t=1623167907946","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="3Oxm9hJ6" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="gfjk" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[You Can Now Use I-PASS on All Florida Toll Roads]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="WHZWbKaX" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="rrlf" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Things just got brighter for I-PASS customers heading down to Florida: I-PASS is now accepted on all toll roads in the Sunshine State.<br /> <br />The <a target="_blank" href="https://floridasturnpike.com/system-maps/">Florida Turnpike</a> joins the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cfxway.com/for-travelers/">Central Florida Expressway Authority</a> as part of the E-ZPass Group.</p><p>So, whether you’re driving down to visit a theme park in Orlando, go fishing or golfing along the Gulf coast in the Tampa/St. Petersburg area, lie on a beach in Miami or watch a rocket launch from Cape Canaveral, you can take I-PASS with you on all your Florida travels. </p><p>If flying down to Florida and renting a vehicle, I-PASS customers can add the rental plate number and the start and end dates for the rental period to their I-PASS account. <br /> <br />The addition of Florida toll roads to the E-ZPass network makes paying tolls more convenient for I-PASS customers driving east and south. I-PASS can now be used in 17 states where E-ZPass is accepted and includes the Chicago Skyway and Indiana Toll Road.</p><p>Georgia and Minnesota are poised to soon come on board with the E-ZPass Group, moving the toll industry closer to seamless travel nationwide using a single transponder.</p><p>Before any trip, I-PASS customers should make sure their transponder is properly mounted to ensure proper payment of tolls. </p><p>See the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.e-zpassiag.com/about-e-zpass/where-can-i-use-it">E-ZPass website</a> for details on where you can use I-PASS.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="pugv" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-06-08]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
You Can Now Use I-PASS on All Florida Toll Roads
Display date: 2021-06-08
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="cofu" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"1122082","groupId":"20184","name":"53203","alt":"EZPass-coming-soon-map-blog_0621.jpg","title":"EZPass-coming-soon-map-blog_0621.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"b0360937-7e45-2c11-1696-8055471530b9","fileEntryId":"1122086","resourcePrimKey":"1141669"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="LPbN4rxu" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="uqjm" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[You Can Now Use I-PASS on All Florida Toll Roads]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="tQBXfkZV" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="varn" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Things just got brighter for I-PASS customers heading down to Florida: I-PASS is now accepted on all toll roads in the Sunshine State.<br /> <br />The <a target="_blank" href="https://floridasturnpike.com/system-maps/">Florida Turnpike</a> joins the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cfxway.com/for-travelers/">Central Florida Expressway Authority</a> as part of the E-ZPass Group.</p><p>So, whether you’re driving down to visit a theme park in Orlando, go fishing or golfing along the Gulf coast in the Tampa/St. Petersburg area, lie on a beach in Miami or watch a rocket launch from Cape Canaveral, you can take I-PASS with you on all your Florida travels. </p><p>If flying down to Florida and renting a vehicle, I-PASS customers can add the rental plate number and the start and end dates for the rental period to their I-PASS account. <br /> <br />The addition of Florida toll roads to the E-ZPass network makes paying tolls more convenient for I-PASS customers driving east and south. I-PASS can now be used in 17 states where E-ZPass is accepted and includes the Chicago Skyway and Indiana Toll Road.</p><p>Georgia and Minnesota are poised to soon come on board with the E-ZPass Group, moving the toll industry closer to seamless travel nationwide using a single transponder.</p><p>Before any trip, I-PASS customers should make sure their transponder is properly mounted to ensure proper payment of tolls. </p><p>See the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.e-zpassiag.com/about-e-zpass/where-can-i-use-it">E-ZPass website</a> for details on where you can use I-PASS.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="vnhu" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-06-08]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
You Can Now Use I-PASS on All Florida Toll Roads
Display date: 2021-06-08
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="mfln" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"PBP-logo-blog_0621.jpg","name":"PBP-logo-blog_0621.jpg","width":"","description":"PBP-logo-blog_0621.jpg","title":"PBP-logo-blog_0621.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"fef0f626-2d2b-8d12-ee62-b31101d05803","fileEntryId":"1120755","resourcePrimKey":"1227482","url":"/documents/883951/989581/PBP-logo-blog_0621.jpg/fef0f626-2d2b-8d12-ee62-b31101d05803?t=1622740392428","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="VpT1I6oh" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="xlla" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[New Way to Pay Changing the Toll Payment Game]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="RnINkXSD" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="fljj" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>In the eight short months since the Illinois Tollway first introduced Pay By Plate, over one million customers have leveraged the service to pay their tolls seamlessly online.</p><p>In the wake of a worldwide pandemic, the Illinois Tollway responded with extensive mitigation efforts including the halt to cash toll payments. With an urgent need to find new ways for customers to pay, the Tollway’s operations and business team accelerated the development of a new technology designed to let infrequent and out of state customers set up a service to pay tolls for either short term, one time payments for rental cars, or ongoing and infrequent use. </p><p>And while I-PASS is still the best, most cost-effective way to pay tolls on the Illinois Tollway, Pay By Plate now offers former cash customers a way to safely and securely pay unpaid tolls without an I-PASS transponder or I-PASS account. The service been so successful in serving customers, over one million unique travelers on the Illinois Tollway system have now enrolled in the service. </p><p>So whether you just traveled or are about to travel, simply provide your license plate details, dates of travel, and a payment method and you're all set.</p><p><strong>What can you do with Pay By Plate?</strong></p><ul><li><strong>Already miss a toll? </strong>No problem. For up to 14 days after you’ve traveled, you can now enter your vehicle and payment information into the Pay By Plate system. Our system will bill you the cash rate for your unpaid tolls.</li><li><strong>Renting or Borrowing a car?</strong> Pay Tolls Here! Now you can use the Pay By Plate system to pay and you'll be able to set a start and an end date to ensure you're not charged in the future for that same vehicle. This service allows you to backdate the start date by 14 days. </li><li><strong>Managing Multiple Vehicles?</strong> You can do that on Pay By Plate too! If you’d like, within the Pay By Plate system you can add vehicles and manage your payment methods. </li></ul>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="scvy" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-06-03]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
New Way to Pay Changing the Toll Payment Game
Display date: 2021-06-03
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="nbfy" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"1117414","groupId":"20184","name":"53130","alt":"PBP-logo-blog_0621.jpg","title":"PBP-logo-blog_0621.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"fef0f626-2d2b-8d12-ee62-b31101d05803","fileEntryId":"1120755","resourcePrimKey":"1141682"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="BF24STXC" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="vmve" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[New Way to Pay Changing the Toll Payment Game]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="VzA3KvH8" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="nibg" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>In the eight short months since the Illinois Tollway first introduced Pay By Plate, over one million customers have leveraged the service to pay their tolls seamlessly online.</p><p>In the wake of a worldwide pandemic, the Illinois Tollway responded with extensive mitigation efforts including the halt to cash toll payments. With an urgent need to find new ways for customers to pay, the Tollway’s operations and business team accelerated the development of a new technology designed to let infrequent and out of state customers set up a service to pay tolls for either short term, one time payments for rental cars, or ongoing and infrequent use. </p><p>And while I-PASS is still the best, most cost-effective way to pay tolls on the Illinois Tollway, Pay By Plate now offers former cash customers a way to safely and securely pay unpaid tolls without an I-PASS transponder or I-PASS account. The service been so successful in serving customers, over one million unique travelers on the Illinois Tollway system have now enrolled in the service. </p><p>So whether you just traveled or are about to travel, simply provide your license plate details, dates of travel, and a payment method and you're all set.</p><p><strong>What can you do with Pay By Plate?</strong></p><ul><li><strong>Already miss a toll? </strong>No problem. For up to 14 days after you’ve traveled, you can now enter your vehicle and payment information into the Pay By Plate system. Our system will bill you the cash rate for your unpaid tolls.</li><li><strong>Renting or Borrowing a car?</strong> Pay Tolls Here! Now you can use the Pay By Plate system to pay and you'll be able to set a start and an end date to ensure you're not charged in the future for that same vehicle. This service allows you to backdate the start date by 14 days. </li><li><strong>Managing Multiple Vehicles?</strong> You can do that on Pay By Plate too! If you’d like, within the Pay By Plate system you can add vehicles and manage your payment methods. </li></ul>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="bsmv" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-06-03]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
New Way to Pay Changing the Toll Payment Game
Display date: 2021-06-03
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="teaf" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"1117552","groupId":"20184","name":"53046","alt":"GotViolations-ends-blog_0621.jpg","title":"GotViolations-ends-blog_0621.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"2a5ddcc3-ca91-d57c-5388-c891b0c6ef2e","fileEntryId":"1118604","resourcePrimKey":"1227495"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="WV7PGiRs" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="cqlg" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Reminds Customers Toll Violation Relief Program Expires June 30]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="FRoyy5jo" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="dvfq" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Time is running out for Illinois Tollway customers to take advantage of the savings offered by the agency’s popular toll violation relief program, which reduces all existing $20 and $50 fines on unpaid tolls to a $3 fee per toll.</p><p>The violation relief program, which was launched last June as part of the Tollway’s comprehensive TOLLING 2020 reforms, is scheduled to end on June 30.<br />Drivers already have taken advantage of the relief program to clear nearly 230,00 outstanding violation notices for the reduced $3 fee, an 85 percent reduction over the $20 fine previously assessed for unpaid tolls.</p><p>The cost savings is available to all Tollway customers who accrued fines for unpaid tolls before June 25, 2020, </p><p>The cost reductions offered by the violation relief program bring the cost of outstanding violation notices in line with the new fee structure in TOLLING 2020, which will continue to assess drivers a $3 fee for each unpaid toll on a passenger vehicle.</p><p>Previously, a $20 fine was assessed for each unpaid toll if left unpaid. That penalty escalates by another $50 if the notice remained unpaid for an additional 60 days. For example, a single trip with five unpaid tolls could cost a passenger vehicle owner more than $100. That same customer now receives an initial notice with only a $15 invoice fee, in addition to unpaid tolls, and will have 60 days to pay before those fees increase. </p><p>Drivers can continue to avoid paying any fees by paying any unpaid toll within 14 days.<br />Customers looking to pay unpaid tolls and violations or wanting to learn more about TOLLING 2020, including the new notice guidelines, should visit the Illinois Tollway’s website <a target="_blank" href="/violations">here</a>.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="pido" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-06-01]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Reminds Customers Toll Violation Relief Program Expires June 30
Display date: 2021-06-01
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="agkm" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"1117552","groupId":"20184","name":"53046","alt":"GotViolations-ends-blog_0621.jpg","title":"GotViolations-ends-blog_0621.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"2a5ddcc3-ca91-d57c-5388-c891b0c6ef2e","fileEntryId":"1118604","resourcePrimKey":"1141695"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="RntSWhPf" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="hpny" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Reminds Customers Toll Violation Relief Program Expires June 30]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="Gu9uKP3p" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="args" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Time is running out for Illinois Tollway customers to take advantage of the savings offered by the agency’s popular toll violation relief program, which reduces all existing $20 and $50 fines on unpaid tolls to a $3 fee per toll.</p><p>The violation relief program, which was launched last June as part of the Tollway’s comprehensive TOLLING 2020 reforms, is scheduled to end on June 30.<br />Drivers already have taken advantage of the relief program to clear nearly 230,00 outstanding violation notices for the reduced $3 fee, an 85 percent reduction over the $20 fine previously assessed for unpaid tolls.</p><p>The cost savings is available to all Tollway customers who accrued fines for unpaid tolls before June 25, 2020, </p><p>The cost reductions offered by the violation relief program bring the cost of outstanding violation notices in line with the new fee structure in TOLLING 2020, which will continue to assess drivers a $3 fee for each unpaid toll on a passenger vehicle.</p><p>Previously, a $20 fine was assessed for each unpaid toll if left unpaid. That penalty escalates by another $50 if the notice remained unpaid for an additional 60 days. For example, a single trip with five unpaid tolls could cost a passenger vehicle owner more than $100. That same customer now receives an initial notice with only a $15 invoice fee, in addition to unpaid tolls, and will have 60 days to pay before those fees increase. </p><p>Drivers can continue to avoid paying any fees by paying any unpaid toll within 14 days.<br />Customers looking to pay unpaid tolls and violations or wanting to learn more about TOLLING 2020, including the new notice guidelines, should visit the Illinois Tollway’s website <a target="_blank" href="/violations">here</a>.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="tcbl" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-06-01]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Reminds Customers Toll Violation Relief Program Expires June 30
Display date: 2021-06-01
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="mpar" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Memorials_DSC0314-social_0621.jpg","name":"Memorials_DSC0314-social_0621.jpg","width":"","description":"Memorials_DSC0314-social_0621.jpg","title":"Memorials_DSC0314-social_0621.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"c07a166c-6e3d-be70-e9c8-37ae5ffa186c","fileEntryId":"1118351","resourcePrimKey":"1227508","url":"/documents/883951/989581/Memorials_DSC0314-social_0621.jpg/c07a166c-6e3d-be70-e9c8-37ae5ffa186c?t=1622397520435","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="wwVFSC5l" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="kqfd" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Seen on the Illinois Tollway: Memorials to our Veterans]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="e67DoNTr" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="dxol" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Numerous memorials throughout the Illinois Tollway system serve as reminders of the service and sacrifices of those who have served in the U.S. armed forces. </p><p>“This Memorial Day, and every day, the Illinois Tollway honors those who have served our country, especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defending our freedoms,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “We are forever indebted to those whose service and sacrifices allow us to enjoy peace and prosperity, spending time with our families and friends.” </p><p>Most notably, the entire length of I-355 from Army Trail Road in Addison to I-80 in New Lenox is named the Veterans Memorial Tollway to honor all those who have served. </p><p>At the Spring Creek Toll Plaza at the southernmost end of I-355 is a memorial that includes flags representing all branches of the military. </p><p>And the Des Plaines River Valley Bridge in Lemont features emblems and blue lights on the pillars at both ends of the bridge to recognize veterans. </p><p>Visitors to the O’Hare Oasis off the Tri-State Tollway (I-294) in Schiller Park can visit a POW-MIA memorial monument. Located on the southbound side of the oasis near the 7-Eleven, the marker recognizes all service members from all branches and eras, those who served and returned and those missing or held as prisoners of war. A nearby sign bears the names of 18 service members from the area who went missing in action or are deceased. </p><p>The Grand Avenue Bridge over I-94 in Gurnee is named the Allen J. Lynch Medal of Honor Overpass to honor the Army veteran for his heroic actions in the Vietnam War, where he defended three wounded soldiers from enemy attacks until they could be safely evacuated. Sgt. Lynch resides in Gurnee and remains active in military-related activities. </p><p>The Illinois Tollway is grateful to all who have served or continue to serve in our armed forces, including the 56 Tollway employees who are veterans.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="dyqh" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-05-30]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Seen on the Illinois Tollway: Memorials to our Veterans
Display date: 2021-05-30
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="xbqb" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"1117529","groupId":"20184","name":"53040","alt":"Memorials_DSC0314-social_0621.jpg","title":"Memorials_DSC0314-social_0621.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"c07a166c-6e3d-be70-e9c8-37ae5ffa186c","fileEntryId":"1118351","resourcePrimKey":"1141708"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="TSKSzsaG" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="etau" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Seen on the Illinois Tollway: Memorials to our Veterans]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="DnXt3UGJ" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="hsxa" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Numerous memorials throughout the Illinois Tollway system serve as reminders of the service and sacrifices of those who have served in the U.S. armed forces. </p><p>“This Memorial Day, and every day, the Illinois Tollway honors those who have served our country, especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defending our freedoms,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “We are forever indebted to those whose service and sacrifices allow us to enjoy peace and prosperity, spending time with our families and friends.” </p><p>Most notably, the entire length of I-355 from Army Trail Road in Addison to I-80 in New Lenox is named the Veterans Memorial Tollway to honor all those who have served. </p><p>At the Spring Creek Toll Plaza at the southernmost end of I-355 is a memorial that includes flags representing all branches of the military. </p><p>And the Des Plaines River Valley Bridge in Lemont features emblems and blue lights on the pillars at both ends of the bridge to recognize veterans. </p><p>Visitors to the O’Hare Oasis off the Tri-State Tollway (I-294) in Schiller Park can visit a POW-MIA memorial monument. Located on the southbound side of the oasis near the 7-Eleven, the marker recognizes all service members from all branches and eras, those who served and returned and those missing or held as prisoners of war. A nearby sign bears the names of 18 service members from the area who went missing in action or are deceased. </p><p>The Grand Avenue Bridge over I-94 in Gurnee is named the Allen J. Lynch Medal of Honor Overpass to honor the Army veteran for his heroic actions in the Vietnam War, where he defended three wounded soldiers from enemy attacks until they could be safely evacuated. Sgt. Lynch resides in Gurnee and remains active in military-related activities. </p><p>The Illinois Tollway is grateful to all who have served or continue to serve in our armed forces, including the 56 Tollway employees who are veterans.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="pikb" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-05-30]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Seen on the Illinois Tollway: Memorials to our Veterans
Display date: 2021-05-30
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="ehuo" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"HELPTruck-0436-blog_0521.jpg","name":"HELPTruck-0436-blog_0521.jpg","width":"","description":"HELPTruck-0436-blog_0521.jpg","title":"HELPTruck-0436-blog_0521.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"9f5628b6-b0c0-7f68-7132-93c9fca91228","fileEntryId":"1116802","resourcePrimKey":"1227521","url":"/documents/883951/989581/HELPTruck-0436-blog_0521.jpg/9f5628b6-b0c0-7f68-7132-93c9fca91228?t=1622123668159","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="g0gyZPuB" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="ufzy" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Expects More than 7 Million Vehicles on Its System This Memorial Day Weekend]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="mDHXVHfJ" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="gbqo" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p><em>Tollway provides travel tips to make summer road trips more enjoyable. </em></p><p>More than 7 million vehicles are anticipated on the Illinois Tollway system to kick off the summer travel season this Memorial Day weekend from Friday, May 28, through Tuesday, June 1.</p><p>“As families return to the road to begin summer trips across our 294-mile Tollway system, we remind everyone to slow down in construction work zones and travel safely,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “And, to make travel easier, we suggest drivers follow a few basic travel tips when hitting the road this weekend or anytime over the summer.”</p><ul><li><strong>Keep tabs on your tolls.</strong> All drivers have a 14-day grace period to pay unpaid tolls. The Pay By Plate service allows customers to simply provide a license plate, dates of travel, and a payment method and then the Illinois Tollway will take care of the rest</li><li><strong>Take your transponder. </strong>I-PASS can be used to pay tolls on the Illinois Tollway system and in other states that accept E-ZPass, including Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky and 13 other states that are part of the E-ZPass network.</li><li><strong>Avoid distracted driving. </strong>Stop at any Tollway oases to safely use cellphones for calling, texting and accessing mobile apps. It’s illegal for drivers to use any hand-held device when driving.</li><li><strong>Get on your Waze. </strong>The Tollway provides Waze with information on lane blockages, roadway incidents and the location of H.E.L.P. trucks.</li></ul><p><strong>Holiday Work Zones</strong><br />To accommodate holiday travel on the Illinois Tollway, construction activity will be restricted to better serve Tollway customers. Most temporary maintenance and construction lane closures will be suspended from noon on Friday, May 29, through 9 a.m. on Tuesday, June 1. Some work may continue behind barriers to keep work on schedule. All work is weather-dependent. Areas where ongoing work zones may impact traffic include:</p><p><strong>Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80)</strong></p><ul><li>On I-94, traffic in both directions at Stearns School Road is shifted.</li><li>On I-294 between the Bensenville Railyard Bridge and St. Charles Road, traffic is shifted in both directions. Southbound traffic in the counterflow/express lanes will not have access to the exit to westbound I-290.</li><li>On I-294 at Joliet Road, the ramp connecting southbound I-294 to eastbound Joliet Road is closed and a detour is posted.</li><li>On I-294 between Ogden Avenue and 55th Street and between Plainfield Road and 95th Street, traffic is shifted.</li><li>On I-294, the ramp from eastbound Archer Avenue to southbound I-294 is closed and a detour is posted.</li><li>On I-294, at I-57 southbound traffic is reduced from four lanes to three.</li></ul><p><strong>Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88)</strong><br />Between the EJ&E Railroad and Illinois Route 59, traffic is shifted in both directions. <br />At Deerpath Road eastbound traffic is shifted.</p><p><strong>Dial *999 for Roadway Assistance</strong><br />Drivers should call *999 to get help from Tollway roadway maintenance crews or from Illinois State Police District 15 who patrol the Tollway system 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Motorist aid patrols stand ready to help stranded customers change tires, jump-start batteries, add coolant, dispense fuel, transport customers, move vehicles away from traffic and call for a tow truck.</p><p><strong>Illinois State Police Out in Full Force</strong><br />The Illinois State Police District 15 will be conducting several roadside safety details and special Traffic Enforcement Patrols over the Memorial Day weekend throughout the Tollway system. Troopers patrolling the Tollway will also focus on enforcing fatal four violations, including driving under the influence, speeding, distracted driving and not wearing seat belts. In addition, they will be stepping up enforcement of the Move Over Law, also known as Scott’s Law, which requires motorists to change lanes or slow down and proceed with caution when passing any vehicle on the side of the road with hazard lights activated</p><p><strong>About the Illinois Tollway</strong><br />The Illinois Tollway is a user-fee system that receives no state or federal funds for maintenance and operations. The agency maintains and operates 294 miles of roadways in 12 counties in Northern Illinois, including the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355), the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80) and the Illinois Route 390 Tollway.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="jzam" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-05-27]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Expects More than 7 Million Vehicles on Its System This Memorial Day Weekend
Display date: 2021-05-27
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="dsnb" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"1116746","groupId":"20184","name":"52993","alt":"HELPTruck-0436-blog_0521.jpg","title":"HELPTruck-0436-blog_0521.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"9f5628b6-b0c0-7f68-7132-93c9fca91228","fileEntryId":"1116802","resourcePrimKey":"1141721"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="lBv1FJ04" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="yysx" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Expects More than 7 Million Vehicles on Its System This Memorial Day Weekend]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="L9Fovhi3" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="zxxc" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p><em>Tollway provides travel tips to make summer road trips more enjoyable. </em></p><p>More than 7 million vehicles are anticipated on the Illinois Tollway system to kick off the summer travel season this Memorial Day weekend from Friday, May 28, through Tuesday, June 1.</p><p>“As families return to the road to begin summer trips across our 294-mile Tollway system, we remind everyone to slow down in construction work zones and travel safely,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “And, to make travel easier, we suggest drivers follow a few basic travel tips when hitting the road this weekend or anytime over the summer.”</p><ul><li><strong>Keep tabs on your tolls.</strong> All drivers have a 14-day grace period to pay unpaid tolls. The Pay By Plate service allows customers to simply provide a license plate, dates of travel, and a payment method and then the Illinois Tollway will take care of the rest</li><li><strong>Take your transponder. </strong>I-PASS can be used to pay tolls on the Illinois Tollway system and in other states that accept E-ZPass, including Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky and 13 other states that are part of the E-ZPass network.</li><li><strong>Avoid distracted driving. </strong>Stop at any Tollway oases to safely use cellphones for calling, texting and accessing mobile apps. It’s illegal for drivers to use any hand-held device when driving.</li><li><strong>Get on your Waze. </strong>The Tollway provides Waze with information on lane blockages, roadway incidents and the location of H.E.L.P. trucks.</li></ul><p><strong>Holiday Work Zones</strong><br />To accommodate holiday travel on the Illinois Tollway, construction activity will be restricted to better serve Tollway customers. Most temporary maintenance and construction lane closures will be suspended from noon on Friday, May 29, through 9 a.m. on Tuesday, June 1. Some work may continue behind barriers to keep work on schedule. All work is weather-dependent. Areas where ongoing work zones may impact traffic include:</p><p><strong>Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80)</strong></p><ul><li>On I-94, traffic in both directions at Stearns School Road is shifted.</li><li>On I-294 between the Bensenville Railyard Bridge and St. Charles Road, traffic is shifted in both directions. Southbound traffic in the counterflow/express lanes will not have access to the exit to westbound I-290.</li><li>On I-294 at Joliet Road, the ramp connecting southbound I-294 to eastbound Joliet Road is closed and a detour is posted.</li><li>On I-294 between Ogden Avenue and 55th Street and between Plainfield Road and 95th Street, traffic is shifted.</li><li>On I-294, the ramp from eastbound Archer Avenue to southbound I-294 is closed and a detour is posted.</li><li>On I-294, at I-57 southbound traffic is reduced from four lanes to three.</li></ul><p><strong>Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88)</strong><br />Between the EJ&E Railroad and Illinois Route 59, traffic is shifted in both directions. <br />At Deerpath Road eastbound traffic is shifted.</p><p><strong>Dial *999 for Roadway Assistance</strong><br />Drivers should call *999 to get help from Tollway roadway maintenance crews or from Illinois State Police District 15 who patrol the Tollway system 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Motorist aid patrols stand ready to help stranded customers change tires, jump-start batteries, add coolant, dispense fuel, transport customers, move vehicles away from traffic and call for a tow truck.</p><p><strong>Illinois State Police Out in Full Force</strong><br />The Illinois State Police District 15 will be conducting several roadside safety details and special Traffic Enforcement Patrols over the Memorial Day weekend throughout the Tollway system. Troopers patrolling the Tollway will also focus on enforcing fatal four violations, including driving under the influence, speeding, distracted driving and not wearing seat belts. In addition, they will be stepping up enforcement of the Move Over Law, also known as Scott’s Law, which requires motorists to change lanes or slow down and proceed with caution when passing any vehicle on the side of the road with hazard lights activated</p><p><strong>About the Illinois Tollway</strong><br />The Illinois Tollway is a user-fee system that receives no state or federal funds for maintenance and operations. The agency maintains and operates 294 miles of roadways in 12 counties in Northern Illinois, including the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355), the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80) and the Illinois Route 390 Tollway.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="ervv" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-05-27]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Expects More than 7 Million Vehicles on Its System This Memorial Day Weekend
Display date: 2021-05-27
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="kuyc" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"BNSF_000955-blog_0521.jpg","name":"BNSF_000955-blog_0521.jpg","width":"","description":"BNSF_000955-blog_0521.jpg","title":"BNSF_000955-blog_0521.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"c9d9ba6b-dcac-6675-f2bb-b4b5e28988be","fileEntryId":"1115048","resourcePrimKey":"1227547","url":"/documents/883951/989581/BNSF_000955-blog_0521.jpg/c9d9ba6b-dcac-6675-f2bb-b4b5e28988be?t=1622041453136","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="DVQnjazb" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="ltba" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[BNSF Railway Bridge Project marks 60 percent in May]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="S8mhnjTc" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="vsbz" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway is passing the 60 percent complete mark on the replacement of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway Bridge over the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294), with the placement of the last of the new beams needed to build the bridge to carry commuter and freight trains over the Tollway. </p><p>Altogether, 24 new steel beams will be installed in May to support BNSF tracks 1, 2 and 3. Beam placement is scheduled at night to provide a safe work zone and reduce the impact on daily commuters – roadway and rail.</p><p>Rail operations have been continuing uninterrupted during construction, thanks to a temporary “shoo-fly” bridge and maintenance track built in 2020. On average, approximately 104 Metra and Amtrak trains cross this bridge daily, as well as 52 daily freight trains.</p><p>Once the new beams are in place, the contractor will place embankment and complete all other necessary work to achieve “grade ready,” so BNSF track laying forces can begin realigning the railroad tracks onto the new structure.</p><p>What did it take to get to 60 percent? </p><ul><li>Relocate fiber optic cables and utilities</li><li>Build the shoofly bridge and shift BNSF and Metra train traffic</li><li>Remove the old bridge</li><li>Remove and replace abutments and center pier for the new bridge</li><li>Install new bridge beams</li></ul><p>Work on the BNSF Railway Bridge started in 2019 and is scheduled to continue through 2022.</p><p>Read more about the project <a target="_blank" href="/projects/tri-state/bnsf-bridge">here</a>.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="mjqv" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-05-26]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
BNSF Railway Bridge Project marks 60 percent in May
Display date: 2021-05-26
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="yifs" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"BuiltToLast-blog_0521.jpg","name":"BuiltToLast-blog_0521.jpg","width":"","description":"BuiltToLast-blog_0521.jpg","title":"BuiltToLast-blog_0521.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"528a6e39-6353-a459-c825-35fa904a4871","fileEntryId":"1113016","resourcePrimKey":"1227534","url":"/documents/883951/989581/BuiltToLast-blog_0521.jpg/528a6e39-6353-a459-c825-35fa904a4871?t=1621527950699","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="AyAVdHPG" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="ndbc" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[The Illinois Tollway Shows How the Mile Long Bridge is “Built To Last”]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="2GD3QT68" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="jmqk" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>“At the end of the day,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez, “these are two structures that are going to be around for decades.”</p><p>The two structures Alvarez is referring to make up the new Mile Long Bridge on the Tri-State Tollway (I-294).</p><p>How the bridge is being built – and the highly skilled, diverse workforce behind its construction – was the focus of the latest episode of “Built To Last,” a series of half-hour specials that runs every Sunday morning on ABC 7 Chicago. </p><p>The specials, produced by the Chicago Regional Council of Union Carpenters & Contractors, highlight area projects being worked on by local trade union members and contractors. </p><p>The episode, titled “Getting from Here to There,” featured Tollway leadership, project managers and labor officials discussing the complexity, challenges and skills required to build the two side-by-side 4,800-foot-long structures on one of the most heavily traveled segments of the Tollway system in a highly developed urban area. </p><p>Up to 150,000 vehicles a day travel on the Mile Long Bridge, which serves as an important facility for the movement of people and freight throughout the region. The structures travel over three waterways, two railroad lines, a Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago facility, as well as major distribution facilities for UPS and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway. </p><p>“Interstate 294 is by far the most important corridor for us from a traffic perspective – not just traffic, but commercial vehicle traffic,” said Chief Planning Officer Rocco Zucchero. “This is one of the last of the original segments of the Illinois Tollway that dated back to the 1950s.”</p><p>Illinois Tollway leaders emphasized the agency’s track record of successfully delivering projects on time and within budget, with the entire reconstruction and widening of the Central Tri-State Tollway completed by the end of 2026, including the Mile Long Bridge.</p><p>“We do move very fast out here,” said Senior Project Manager Nicole Nutter. “You can see in 14 months how much they’ve been able to accomplish. It’s kind of mind-blowing some days.”</p><p>Built to Last can be seen <a target="_blank" href="https://abc7chicago.com/careers/built-to-last-season-7/10392196/">here</a>.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="hnpa" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-05-26]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
The Illinois Tollway Shows How the Mile Long Bridge is “Built To Last”
Display date: 2021-05-26
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="fhex" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"1115044","groupId":"20184","name":"52918","alt":"BNSF_000955-blog_0521.jpg","title":"BNSF_000955-blog_0521.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"c9d9ba6b-dcac-6675-f2bb-b4b5e28988be","fileEntryId":"1115048","resourcePrimKey":"1141747"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="23zMkKVm" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="zkcu" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[BNSF Railway Bridge Project marks 60 percent in May]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="zB3eNCa1" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="xphb" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway is passing the 60 percent complete mark on the replacement of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway Bridge over the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294), with the placement of the last of the new beams needed to build the bridge to carry commuter and freight trains over the Tollway. </p><p>Altogether, 24 new steel beams will be installed in May to support BNSF tracks 1, 2 and 3. Beam placement is scheduled at night to provide a safe work zone and reduce the impact on daily commuters – roadway and rail.</p><p>Rail operations have been continuing uninterrupted during construction, thanks to a temporary “shoo-fly” bridge and maintenance track built in 2020. On average, approximately 104 Metra and Amtrak trains cross this bridge daily, as well as 52 daily freight trains.</p><p>Once the new beams are in place, the contractor will place embankment and complete all other necessary work to achieve “grade ready,” so BNSF track laying forces can begin realigning the railroad tracks onto the new structure.</p><p>What did it take to get to 60 percent? </p><ul><li>Relocate fiber optic cables and utilities</li><li>Build the shoofly bridge and shift BNSF and Metra train traffic</li><li>Remove the old bridge</li><li>Remove and replace abutments and center pier for the new bridge</li><li>Install new bridge beams</li></ul><p>Work on the BNSF Railway Bridge started in 2019 and is scheduled to continue through 2022.</p><p>Read more about the project <a target="_blank" href="/projects/tri-state/bnsf-bridge">here</a>.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="jrxd" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-05-26]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
BNSF Railway Bridge Project marks 60 percent in May
Display date: 2021-05-26
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="jzvo" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"1113012","groupId":"20184","name":"52868","alt":"BuiltToLast-blog_0521.jpg","title":"BuiltToLast-blog_0521.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"528a6e39-6353-a459-c825-35fa904a4871","fileEntryId":"1113016","resourcePrimKey":"1141734"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="yfe5Rquf" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="zptj" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[The Illinois Tollway Shows How the Mile Long Bridge is “Built To Last”]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="UW20Phpi" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="ceya" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>“At the end of the day,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez, “these are two structures that are going to be around for decades.”</p><p>The two structures Alvarez is referring to make up the new Mile Long Bridge on the Tri-State Tollway (I-294).</p><p>How the bridge is being built – and the highly skilled, diverse workforce behind its construction – was the focus of the latest episode of “Built To Last,” a series of half-hour specials that runs every Sunday morning on ABC 7 Chicago. </p><p>The specials, produced by the Chicago Regional Council of Union Carpenters & Contractors, highlight area projects being worked on by local trade union members and contractors. </p><p>The episode, titled “Getting from Here to There,” featured Tollway leadership, project managers and labor officials discussing the complexity, challenges and skills required to build the two side-by-side 4,800-foot-long structures on one of the most heavily traveled segments of the Tollway system in a highly developed urban area. </p><p>Up to 150,000 vehicles a day travel on the Mile Long Bridge, which serves as an important facility for the movement of people and freight throughout the region. The structures travel over three waterways, two railroad lines, a Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago facility, as well as major distribution facilities for UPS and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway. </p><p>“Interstate 294 is by far the most important corridor for us from a traffic perspective – not just traffic, but commercial vehicle traffic,” said Chief Planning Officer Rocco Zucchero. “This is one of the last of the original segments of the Illinois Tollway that dated back to the 1950s.”</p><p>Illinois Tollway leaders emphasized the agency’s track record of successfully delivering projects on time and within budget, with the entire reconstruction and widening of the Central Tri-State Tollway completed by the end of 2026, including the Mile Long Bridge.</p><p>“We do move very fast out here,” said Senior Project Manager Nicole Nutter. “You can see in 14 months how much they’ve been able to accomplish. It’s kind of mind-blowing some days.”</p><p>Built to Last can be seen <a target="_blank" href="https://abc7chicago.com/careers/built-to-last-season-7/10392196/">here</a>.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="jfub" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-05-26]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
The Illinois Tollway Shows How the Mile Long Bridge is “Built To Last”
Display date: 2021-05-26
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="tdoz" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"ProfSvcs-Internship-blog_0521.jpg","name":"ProfSvcs-Internship-blog_0521.jpg","width":"","description":"ProfSvcs-Internship-blog_0521.jpg","title":"ProfSvcs-Internship-blog_0521.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"714da179-fb52-3953-9997-818dce792b18","fileEntryId":"1114691","resourcePrimKey":"1227560","url":"/documents/883951/989581/ProfSvcs-Internship-blog_0521.jpg/714da179-fb52-3953-9997-818dce792b18?t=1621958443594","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="hcsmaxnv" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="mget" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Internships Preparing Tomorrow’s Leaders In Transportation ]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="QTzsnqHK" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="dftu" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Students still have time to apply for Illinois Tollway summer internship opportunities. </p><p>The paid internships – scheduled to run from June 21 through August 13 – offer students real-world, hands-on experience in the transportation industry, with guidance from dedicated mentors, as well as access to leadership and professional growth activities to help further their careers. </p><p>“Our internship program was built to make sure we’re providing support for future leaders in transportation,” said Jyoti Rao, pipeline partnership liaison in Tollway Human Resources.</p><p>Through the May 31 deadline, the Illinois Tollway is accepting applications for its eight-week summer internship program for various positions throughout the agency including Administration/Human Resources, Audit, Business Systems, Engineering, Information Technology, Planning/Environmental and Toll Operations. </p><p>Interns will have opportunities to make meaningful contributions in the development and administration of Tollway programs, procedures and guidelines and support the agency on a variety of ongoing projects, including work related to the agency’s 15-year, $14 billion Move Illinois capital program. </p><p>The program will offer a hybrid experience, with work and networking activities taking place virtually and onsite at Tollway headquarters in Downers Grove. There are also plans for onsite visits to a construction project and a Tollway oasis to provide students with a better understanding of the breadth and depth of the agency’s day-to-day operations. </p><p>At the conclusion of the summer internship, the Illinois Tollway will host a networking event that will include contractors, consultants and other agency partners to give students the opportunity to explore other potential career opportunities in the regional transportation industry. </p><p>To qualify for the Tollway internships, students must be currently enrolled at an accredited technical/vocational program, college or university.</p><p>Click <a target="_blank" href="https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/illinoistollway/jobs/3036942/intern-various-departments">here</a> to apply.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="ogpq" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-05-25]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Internships Preparing Tomorrow’s Leaders In Transportation
Display date: 2021-05-25
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="srdn" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"1114656","groupId":"20184","name":"52908","alt":"ProfSvcs-Internship-blog_0521.jpg","title":"ProfSvcs-Internship-blog_0521.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"714da179-fb52-3953-9997-818dce792b18","fileEntryId":"1114691","resourcePrimKey":"1141760"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="cgIogAKh" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="dmco" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Internships Preparing Tomorrow’s Leaders In Transportation ]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="fZ7bEty2" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="kqlg" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Students still have time to apply for Illinois Tollway summer internship opportunities. </p><p>The paid internships – scheduled to run from June 21 through August 13 – offer students real-world, hands-on experience in the transportation industry, with guidance from dedicated mentors, as well as access to leadership and professional growth activities to help further their careers. </p><p>“Our internship program was built to make sure we’re providing support for future leaders in transportation,” said Jyoti Rao, pipeline partnership liaison in Tollway Human Resources.</p><p>Through the May 31 deadline, the Illinois Tollway is accepting applications for its eight-week summer internship program for various positions throughout the agency including Administration/Human Resources, Audit, Business Systems, Engineering, Information Technology, Planning/Environmental and Toll Operations. </p><p>Interns will have opportunities to make meaningful contributions in the development and administration of Tollway programs, procedures and guidelines and support the agency on a variety of ongoing projects, including work related to the agency’s 15-year, $14 billion Move Illinois capital program. </p><p>The program will offer a hybrid experience, with work and networking activities taking place virtually and onsite at Tollway headquarters in Downers Grove. There are also plans for onsite visits to a construction project and a Tollway oasis to provide students with a better understanding of the breadth and depth of the agency’s day-to-day operations. </p><p>At the conclusion of the summer internship, the Illinois Tollway will host a networking event that will include contractors, consultants and other agency partners to give students the opportunity to explore other potential career opportunities in the regional transportation industry. </p><p>To qualify for the Tollway internships, students must be currently enrolled at an accredited technical/vocational program, college or university.</p><p>Click <a target="_blank" href="https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/illinoistollway/jobs/3036942/intern-various-departments">here</a> to apply.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="ihqg" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-05-25]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Internships Preparing Tomorrow’s Leaders In Transportation
Display date: 2021-05-25
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="yate" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"STEM graphic-blog_0521.jpg","name":"STEM graphic-blog_0521.jpg","width":"","description":"STEM graphic-blog_0521.jpg","title":"STEM graphic-blog_0521.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"80321dad-be4a-8272-b500-37075fa5eed2","fileEntryId":"1114457","resourcePrimKey":"1227573","url":"/documents/883951/989581/STEM%20graphic-blog_0521.jpg/80321dad-be4a-8272-b500-37075fa5eed2?t=1621902460062","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="srJj4Snm" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="eitr" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Tollway Offers Students Lesson in Road Building 101]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="1VzMAhTG" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="bikh" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Imagine the Illinois Tollway rebuilt entirely as one big rollercoaster! <br /> <br />One student at Meadow Glens Elementary School in Naperville asked if that was possible during a presentation by Tollway Project Manager Rick Hanba on how roads are built. <br /> <br />“We’ll get on that right now,” chuckled Hanba, recalling countless hours spent in his youth riding rollercoasters at Cedar Point and Kings Island amusement parks in Ohio. <br /> <br />Hanba, a Tollway project manager since 2014, joined a virtual speaker series highlighting innovations and scientific applications related to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) at Meadow Glens Elementary. </p><p>He talked to students in kindergarten through fifth grade about the fundamentals of how to build a road, from planning and construction to community outreach – a process that requires research, teamwork and great listening skills. <br /> <br />“The roads your family drives on to get from place to place – I help build,” said Hanba, who works on a wide range of Tollway road, bridge and building projects, including the Pace transit station at the Barrington Road Interchange on the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) and reconstruction of Tollway maintenance facilities systemwide. <br /> <br />Nearly 40 households attended the presentation, with students joined by parents and siblings. Students asked Hanba questions and learned more about how the Tollway determines how big to build a road, how long it takes and how long a road will last. <br /> <br />Meadow Glens Elementary invited the Illinois Tollway to participate in its annual STEM Night, bringing together regional science and technology companies and organizations to help students and their families understand the real-world context of STEM activities.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="fsnd" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-05-24]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Tollway Offers Students Lesson in Road Building 101
Display date: 2021-05-24
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="fvcy" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"1113963","groupId":"20184","name":"52900","alt":"STEM graphic-blog_0521.jpg","title":"STEM graphic-blog_0521.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"80321dad-be4a-8272-b500-37075fa5eed2","fileEntryId":"1114457","resourcePrimKey":"1141773"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="taPKp5oR" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="kqpj" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Tollway Offers Students Lesson in Road Building 101]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="BgmauUhe" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="lygu" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Imagine the Illinois Tollway rebuilt entirely as one big rollercoaster! <br /> <br />One student at Meadow Glens Elementary School in Naperville asked if that was possible during a presentation by Tollway Project Manager Rick Hanba on how roads are built. <br /> <br />“We’ll get on that right now,” chuckled Hanba, recalling countless hours spent in his youth riding rollercoasters at Cedar Point and Kings Island amusement parks in Ohio. <br /> <br />Hanba, a Tollway project manager since 2014, joined a virtual speaker series highlighting innovations and scientific applications related to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) at Meadow Glens Elementary. </p><p>He talked to students in kindergarten through fifth grade about the fundamentals of how to build a road, from planning and construction to community outreach – a process that requires research, teamwork and great listening skills. <br /> <br />“The roads your family drives on to get from place to place – I help build,” said Hanba, who works on a wide range of Tollway road, bridge and building projects, including the Pace transit station at the Barrington Road Interchange on the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) and reconstruction of Tollway maintenance facilities systemwide. <br /> <br />Nearly 40 households attended the presentation, with students joined by parents and siblings. Students asked Hanba questions and learned more about how the Tollway determines how big to build a road, how long it takes and how long a road will last. <br /> <br />Meadow Glens Elementary invited the Illinois Tollway to participate in its annual STEM Night, bringing together regional science and technology companies and organizations to help students and their families understand the real-world context of STEM activities.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="uyzi" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-05-24]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Tollway Offers Students Lesson in Road Building 101
Display date: 2021-05-24
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="qfrk" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Tolling2020-extended-blog_1220 (1).jpg","name":"Tolling2020-extended-blog_1220 (1).jpg","width":"","description":"Tolling2020-extended-blog_1220 (1).jpg","title":"Tolling2020-extended-blog_1220 (1).jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"7c16560d-71d6-1294-af8e-c828b393a84c","fileEntryId":"1110770","resourcePrimKey":"1227586","url":"/documents/883951/989581/Tolling2020-extended-blog_1220%20%281%29.jpg/7c16560d-71d6-1294-af8e-c828b393a84c?t=1620738286008","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="j7S0Fawv" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="vmfq" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Reminds Customers Toll Violation Relief Program Expires June 30]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="7BzyCKcx" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="pczs" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Time is running out for Illinois Tollway customers to take advantage of the savings offered by the agency’s popular toll violation relief program, which reduces all existing $20 and $50 fines on unpaid tolls to a $3 fee per toll.</p><p>The violation relief program, which was launched last June as part of the Tollway’s comprehensive TOLLING 2020 reforms, is scheduled to end on June 30.</p><p>Drivers already have taken advantage of the relief program to clear nearly 230,00 outstanding violation notices for the reduced $3 fee, an 85 percent reduction over the $20 fine previously assessed for unpaid tolls.</p><p>The cost savings is available to all Tollway customers who accrued fines for unpaid tolls before June 25, 2020, </p><p>The cost reductions offered by the violation relief program bring the cost of outstanding violation notices in line with the new fee structure in TOLLING 2020, which will continue to assess drivers a $3 fee for each unpaid toll on a passenger vehicle.</p><p>Previously, a $20 fine was assessed for each unpaid toll if left unpaid. That penalty escalates by another $50 if the notice remained unpaid for an additional 60 days. For example, a single trip with five unpaid tolls could cost a passenger vehicle owner more than $100. That same customer now receives an initial notice with only a $15 invoice fee, in addition to unpaid tolls, and will have 60 days to pay before those fees increase. </p><p>Drivers can continue to avoid paying any fees by paying any unpaid toll within 14 days.</p><p>Customers looking to pay unpaid tolls and violations or wanting to learn more about TOLLING 2020, including the new notice guidelines, should visit the Illinois Tollway’s website at www.illinoistollway.com.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="qdag" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-05-12]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Reminds Customers Toll Violation Relief Program Expires June 30
Display date: 2021-05-12
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="huuj" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"1110732","groupId":"20184","name":"52831","alt":"Tolling2020-extended-blog_1220 (1).jpg","title":"Tolling2020-extended-blog_1220 (1).jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"7c16560d-71d6-1294-af8e-c828b393a84c","fileEntryId":"1110770","resourcePrimKey":"1141786"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="q0cn6y07" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="hvez" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Reminds Customers Toll Violation Relief Program Expires June 30]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="zwlrK0fy" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="giqa" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Time is running out for Illinois Tollway customers to take advantage of the savings offered by the agency’s popular toll violation relief program, which reduces all existing $20 and $50 fines on unpaid tolls to a $3 fee per toll.</p><p>The violation relief program, which was launched last June as part of the Tollway’s comprehensive TOLLING 2020 reforms, is scheduled to end on June 30.</p><p>Drivers already have taken advantage of the relief program to clear nearly 230,00 outstanding violation notices for the reduced $3 fee, an 85 percent reduction over the $20 fine previously assessed for unpaid tolls.</p><p>The cost savings is available to all Tollway customers who accrued fines for unpaid tolls before June 25, 2020, </p><p>The cost reductions offered by the violation relief program bring the cost of outstanding violation notices in line with the new fee structure in TOLLING 2020, which will continue to assess drivers a $3 fee for each unpaid toll on a passenger vehicle.</p><p>Previously, a $20 fine was assessed for each unpaid toll if left unpaid. That penalty escalates by another $50 if the notice remained unpaid for an additional 60 days. For example, a single trip with five unpaid tolls could cost a passenger vehicle owner more than $100. That same customer now receives an initial notice with only a $15 invoice fee, in addition to unpaid tolls, and will have 60 days to pay before those fees increase. </p><p>Drivers can continue to avoid paying any fees by paying any unpaid toll within 14 days.</p><p>Customers looking to pay unpaid tolls and violations or wanting to learn more about TOLLING 2020, including the new notice guidelines, should visit the Illinois Tollway’s website at www.illinoistollway.com.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="iyqu" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-05-12]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Reminds Customers Toll Violation Relief Program Expires June 30
Display date: 2021-05-12
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="braf" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"M7-TravelingSafety-blog_0521.jpg","name":"M7-TravelingSafety-blog_0521.jpg","width":"","description":"M7-TravelingSafety-blog_0521.jpg","title":"M7-TravelingSafety-blog_0521.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"345605a0-0621-9fa3-a65b-77556230471e","fileEntryId":"1110318","resourcePrimKey":"1227599","url":"/documents/883951/989581/M7-TravelingSafety-blog_0521.jpg/345605a0-0621-9fa3-a65b-77556230471e?t=1620678704911","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="MmJIRqiH" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="fnvh" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Rockford Maintenance Facility Goes the Extra Mile for Safety]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="1Josn2cm" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="zrmn" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Zero injuries in 2020 helped the Rockford maintenance site earn the Illinois Tollway’s annual 2020 Go the Extra Mile for Safety Award, a competition among the agency’s 12 maintenance sites for best safety performance each year.</p><p>Maintenance workers are responsible for making sure that the five roadways that make up the 294-mile Tollway system provide safe and efficient travel for Tolllway customers. They plow snow, provide roadside assistance and, oftentimes, arrive first on the scene in response to emergencies. </p><p>“To do this job without a single injury is amazing,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez, noting the many challenges maintenance workers face in doing their jobs safely. “It shows that you put a lot of care into your work – pride and professionalism – and doing things right.”</p><p>Alvarez was among several Tollway leaders who participated in an awards celebration on May 10 to recognize the safety achievements by the Rockford maintenance site staff led by Manager Robert Capuzi and Supervisor William Ryan. </p><p>The Tollway’s Go the Extra Mile for Safety Award is presented each year to the maintenance facility with the highest cumulative score based on three safety criteria: incident rate, Toolbox Safety Talks and positive feedback from managers and supervisors who observe and document outstanding safety practices. </p><p>In addition to reporting zero injuries in 2020, the Rockford maintenance site posted the second highest score in positive feedback. The feedback comes from managers and supervisors at each maintenance facility who document safe behavior. </p><p>Alvarez noted the Rockford maintenance facility’s success in the positive feedback category demonstrates that their efforts to maintain a safe work environment are noticed and appreciated. </p><p>“It is my hope that this trophy will serve as a reminder that your efforts are always appreciated,” said Alvarez.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="igux" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-05-10]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Rockford Maintenance Facility Goes the Extra Mile for Safety
Display date: 2021-05-10
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="yhvt" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"1110314","groupId":"20184","name":"52823","alt":"M7-TravelingSafety-blog_0521.jpg","title":"M7-TravelingSafety-blog_0521.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"345605a0-0621-9fa3-a65b-77556230471e","fileEntryId":"1110318","resourcePrimKey":"1141799"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="r4OI911G" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="jhuf" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Rockford Maintenance Facility Goes the Extra Mile for Safety]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="sFRo9bJ8" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="uybm" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Zero injuries in 2020 helped the Rockford maintenance site earn the Illinois Tollway’s annual 2020 Go the Extra Mile for Safety Award, a competition among the agency’s 12 maintenance sites for best safety performance each year.</p><p>Maintenance workers are responsible for making sure that the five roadways that make up the 294-mile Tollway system provide safe and efficient travel for Tolllway customers. They plow snow, provide roadside assistance and, oftentimes, arrive first on the scene in response to emergencies. </p><p>“To do this job without a single injury is amazing,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez, noting the many challenges maintenance workers face in doing their jobs safely. “It shows that you put a lot of care into your work – pride and professionalism – and doing things right.”</p><p>Alvarez was among several Tollway leaders who participated in an awards celebration on May 10 to recognize the safety achievements by the Rockford maintenance site staff led by Manager Robert Capuzi and Supervisor William Ryan. </p><p>The Tollway’s Go the Extra Mile for Safety Award is presented each year to the maintenance facility with the highest cumulative score based on three safety criteria: incident rate, Toolbox Safety Talks and positive feedback from managers and supervisors who observe and document outstanding safety practices. </p><p>In addition to reporting zero injuries in 2020, the Rockford maintenance site posted the second highest score in positive feedback. The feedback comes from managers and supervisors at each maintenance facility who document safe behavior. </p><p>Alvarez noted the Rockford maintenance facility’s success in the positive feedback category demonstrates that their efforts to maintain a safe work environment are noticed and appreciated. </p><p>“It is my hope that this trophy will serve as a reminder that your efforts are always appreciated,” said Alvarez.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="aqhp" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-05-10]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Rockford Maintenance Facility Goes the Extra Mile for Safety
Display date: 2021-05-10
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="ryxu" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"WorkZoneSafety-blog_0421-01.jpg","name":"WorkZoneSafety-blog_0421-01.jpg","width":"","description":"WorkZoneSafety-blog_0421-01.jpg","title":"WorkZoneSafety-blog_0421-01.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"3a974fca-29f8-7edf-7fce-51124b741064","fileEntryId":"1105977","resourcePrimKey":"1227625","url":"/documents/883951/989581/WorkZoneSafety-blog_0421-01.jpg/3a974fca-29f8-7edf-7fce-51124b741064?t=1619793086072","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="D9BzNM1e" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="iybk" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway and other transportation agencies remind drivers to focus on safety in roadway work zones]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="OZGkvWdF" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="scfs" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway is joined with other transportation and safety agencies, the construction industry and labor groups this week to urge drivers to take extra precautions to protect workers and themselves as they travel through roadway work zones this construction season. </p><p>To mark Work Zone Safety Awareness Week in Illinois, the Tollway is asking drivers to play an active role in reducing work zone crashes by following simple safety measures when they get behind the wheel.</p><p>“We’re continuously working across our system to improve our traffic operations and construction practices to better protect the workers who build and maintain our roads, as well as the drivers who travel on them,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “But ultimately we need drivers to assist us by slowing down and staying alert for workers and construction equipment whenever they enter a work zone. Since we all share the same goal, we’re asking everyone to Drive Save, Work Safe and Save Lives.”</p><p>More than 6,400 vehicle crashes on average occur annually in Illinois work zones, resulting in more than 1,700 injuries. Last year, 37 people died in work zone crashes statewide, including two workers.</p><p>Work zones will be plentiful on the 294-mile Tollway system this season as the agency invests about $1.5 billion in roadway construction and improvements during the 10th year of its 15-year, $14 billion Move Illinois capital program.</p><p>Much of this work will be occurring along the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294), where the agency is rebuilding and widening 22 miles of roadway between Balmoral Avenue in Rosemont and 95th Street in Oak Lawn to relieve traffic congestion and improve access to local communities.</p><p>Other work will be occurring on the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355), and on the South Tri-State Tollway, where construction is continuing on the second phase of the I-294/I-57 Interchange Project, which will complete the connection between the two interstates.</p><p>While safety measures are in place at Tollway work zones, it’s still critical that drivers entering these areas slow down, eliminate any distractions—including using cellphones or other electronic devices—and focus on safety.</p><p>By making safety their top priority, drivers can protect themselves and everyone who uses or works on the roads.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="bfte" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-04-30]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway and other transportation agencies remind drivers to focus on safety in roadway work zones
Display date: 2021-04-30
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="pmvs" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"294-57-4495-blog_0321-01.jpg","name":"294-57-4495-blog_0321-01.jpg","width":"","description":"294-57-4495-blog_0321-01.jpg","title":"294-57-4495-blog_0321-01.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"b5e944a1-e4fe-3552-575e-ddc0fd737548","fileEntryId":"1106526","resourcePrimKey":"1227612","url":"/documents/883951/989581/294-57-4495-blog_0321-01.jpg/b5e944a1-e4fe-3552-575e-ddc0fd737548?t=1619814447935","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="Y8OlQNpw" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="jahg" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Meeting a Milestone on the I-294/I-57 Interchange Project]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="hI4PiB71" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="srlo" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway marked a milestone in April for the multi-year project to complete the interchange finally connecting the Tri-State Tollway (I-294) and I-57. </p><p>The last construction contract for the $719 million project was awarded to Dunnett Bay Construction Company for $20.8 million for roadway and bridge construction on I-57 over the CSX and Baltimore and Ohio Chicago Terminal Railroads. This final piece of the massive interchange project puts the agency on track to deliver full access by 2022.</p><p>“This project is a significant accomplishment that, thanks to the hard work of our dedicated staff, will be delivered years ahead of time, accelerating our investments in Chicago’s Southland and completing the long-sought interchange between these two interstates,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez.</p><p>Initially, Phase Two completing the I-294/I-57 Interchange Project was scheduled for 2024-2026. Under the accelerated schedule to complete the I-294/I-57 Interchange by the end for 2022, four new ramps will be built connecting southbound I-57 to I-294 and I-294 to northbound I-57 along with additional roadway improvements. </p><p>Working in partnership with the Illinois Department of Transportation, the Tollway completed Phase One of the project in 2014 and opened the highly anticipated I-294/I-57 Interchange – creating a vital connection between two major interstates in the Chicago Southland. </p><p>For the first time, the new I-294/I-57 Interchange provided motorists with access between I-294 and I-57 and at 147th Street. It created access from northbound I-57 to northbound I-294 and southbound I-294 to southbound I-57, including a new interchange at 147th Street. </p><p>“Our staff works tirelessly to ensure the investments we are making into our regional infrastructure are meaningful and are in the best interests of our customers and the communities we serve,” said Alvarez. “The interchange is going to save our region’s businesses and commuters precious time, energy and resources, and open new and much needed opportunities for jobs and prosperity for the surrounding communities.” </p><p>The Tri-State Tollway (I-294)/I-57 Interchange is improving travel by providing customers with completed access between the two interstates. The enhanced interchange will reduce congestion on local routes, enhance economic development and improve regional mobility. The all-electronic interstate-to-interstate connection better serves commuters and freight operators while opening access for local communities. </p><p>When complete, the I-294/I-57 Interchange is expected to serve more than 76,000 vehicles per day and provide direct freight access to Chicago’s south suburbs – saving drivers $4 million annually in fuel. Tri-State Tollway drivers currently using I-80 to get to I-57 will save 25 travel hours per year using the new interchange. </p><p>In addition to beginning the final construction contract on I-57, the Tollway’s work in 2021 also includes widening of the I-57 bridge over Dixie Highway and the 147th Street Bridge is being completely reconstructed and widened with new collector-distributor road bridges that carry traffic to and from the I-294/I-57 Interchange. </p><p>In addition, ongoing work includes construction of the ramp connecting northbound I-294 to northbound I-57 and the two ramps carrying southbound I-57 to I-294. This includes a flyover ramp bridge will carry traffic from southbound I-57 to southbound I-294 and from 147th to southbound I-57. The multi-span structure will be nearly 2,650 feet long with a bridge deck approximately 16 feet above I-294 and 17 feet above I-57. </p><p>Estimated at $719 million, the I-294/I-57 Interchange Project is funded by the Illinois Department of Transportation and the Illinois Tollway’s 15-year, $14 billion Move Illinois capital program.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="zjll" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-04-30]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Meeting a Milestone on the I-294/I-57 Interchange Project
Display date: 2021-04-30
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="nabi" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"1105973","groupId":"20184","name":"52726","alt":"WorkZoneSafety-blog_0421-01.jpg","title":"WorkZoneSafety-blog_0421-01.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"3a974fca-29f8-7edf-7fce-51124b741064","fileEntryId":"1105977","resourcePrimKey":"1141825"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="lOrqnbli" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="fbgj" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway and other transportation agencies remind drivers to focus on safety in roadway work zones]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="sOAosmCK" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="yskd" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway is joined with other transportation and safety agencies, the construction industry and labor groups this week to urge drivers to take extra precautions to protect workers and themselves as they travel through roadway work zones this construction season. </p><p>To mark Work Zone Safety Awareness Week in Illinois, the Tollway is asking drivers to play an active role in reducing work zone crashes by following simple safety measures when they get behind the wheel.</p><p>“We’re continuously working across our system to improve our traffic operations and construction practices to better protect the workers who build and maintain our roads, as well as the drivers who travel on them,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “But ultimately we need drivers to assist us by slowing down and staying alert for workers and construction equipment whenever they enter a work zone. Since we all share the same goal, we’re asking everyone to Drive Save, Work Safe and Save Lives.”</p><p>More than 6,400 vehicle crashes on average occur annually in Illinois work zones, resulting in more than 1,700 injuries. Last year, 37 people died in work zone crashes statewide, including two workers.</p><p>Work zones will be plentiful on the 294-mile Tollway system this season as the agency invests about $1.5 billion in roadway construction and improvements during the 10th year of its 15-year, $14 billion Move Illinois capital program.</p><p>Much of this work will be occurring along the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294), where the agency is rebuilding and widening 22 miles of roadway between Balmoral Avenue in Rosemont and 95th Street in Oak Lawn to relieve traffic congestion and improve access to local communities.</p><p>Other work will be occurring on the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355), and on the South Tri-State Tollway, where construction is continuing on the second phase of the I-294/I-57 Interchange Project, which will complete the connection between the two interstates.</p><p>While safety measures are in place at Tollway work zones, it’s still critical that drivers entering these areas slow down, eliminate any distractions—including using cellphones or other electronic devices—and focus on safety.</p><p>By making safety their top priority, drivers can protect themselves and everyone who uses or works on the roads.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="ubry" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-04-30]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway and other transportation agencies remind drivers to focus on safety in roadway work zones
Display date: 2021-04-30
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="pzhm" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"1106522","groupId":"20184","name":"52740","alt":"294-57-4495-blog_0321-01.jpg","title":"294-57-4495-blog_0321-01.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"b5e944a1-e4fe-3552-575e-ddc0fd737548","fileEntryId":"1106526","resourcePrimKey":"1141812"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="rcLm8VOi" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="zsze" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Meeting a Milestone on the I-294/I-57 Interchange Project]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="VFT42kGR" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="cdqc" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway marked a milestone in April for the multi-year project to complete the interchange finally connecting the Tri-State Tollway (I-294) and I-57. </p><p>The last construction contract for the $719 million project was awarded to Dunnett Bay Construction Company for $20.8 million for roadway and bridge construction on I-57 over the CSX and Baltimore and Ohio Chicago Terminal Railroads. This final piece of the massive interchange project puts the agency on track to deliver full access by 2022.</p><p>“This project is a significant accomplishment that, thanks to the hard work of our dedicated staff, will be delivered years ahead of time, accelerating our investments in Chicago’s Southland and completing the long-sought interchange between these two interstates,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez.</p><p>Initially, Phase Two completing the I-294/I-57 Interchange Project was scheduled for 2024-2026. Under the accelerated schedule to complete the I-294/I-57 Interchange by the end for 2022, four new ramps will be built connecting southbound I-57 to I-294 and I-294 to northbound I-57 along with additional roadway improvements. </p><p>Working in partnership with the Illinois Department of Transportation, the Tollway completed Phase One of the project in 2014 and opened the highly anticipated I-294/I-57 Interchange – creating a vital connection between two major interstates in the Chicago Southland. </p><p>For the first time, the new I-294/I-57 Interchange provided motorists with access between I-294 and I-57 and at 147th Street. It created access from northbound I-57 to northbound I-294 and southbound I-294 to southbound I-57, including a new interchange at 147th Street. </p><p>“Our staff works tirelessly to ensure the investments we are making into our regional infrastructure are meaningful and are in the best interests of our customers and the communities we serve,” said Alvarez. “The interchange is going to save our region’s businesses and commuters precious time, energy and resources, and open new and much needed opportunities for jobs and prosperity for the surrounding communities.” </p><p>The Tri-State Tollway (I-294)/I-57 Interchange is improving travel by providing customers with completed access between the two interstates. The enhanced interchange will reduce congestion on local routes, enhance economic development and improve regional mobility. The all-electronic interstate-to-interstate connection better serves commuters and freight operators while opening access for local communities. </p><p>When complete, the I-294/I-57 Interchange is expected to serve more than 76,000 vehicles per day and provide direct freight access to Chicago’s south suburbs – saving drivers $4 million annually in fuel. Tri-State Tollway drivers currently using I-80 to get to I-57 will save 25 travel hours per year using the new interchange. </p><p>In addition to beginning the final construction contract on I-57, the Tollway’s work in 2021 also includes widening of the I-57 bridge over Dixie Highway and the 147th Street Bridge is being completely reconstructed and widened with new collector-distributor road bridges that carry traffic to and from the I-294/I-57 Interchange. </p><p>In addition, ongoing work includes construction of the ramp connecting northbound I-294 to northbound I-57 and the two ramps carrying southbound I-57 to I-294. This includes a flyover ramp bridge will carry traffic from southbound I-57 to southbound I-294 and from 147th to southbound I-57. The multi-span structure will be nearly 2,650 feet long with a bridge deck approximately 16 feet above I-294 and 17 feet above I-57. </p><p>Estimated at $719 million, the I-294/I-57 Interchange Project is funded by the Illinois Department of Transportation and the Illinois Tollway’s 15-year, $14 billion Move Illinois capital program.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="kzvg" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-04-30]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Meeting a Milestone on the I-294/I-57 Interchange Project
Display date: 2021-04-30
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="tthh" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"2021_Morton_Redbuds 2_Lake Marmo_The Morton Arboretum_resized.png","name":"2021_Morton_Redbuds 2_Lake Marmo_The Morton Arboretum_resized.png","width":"","description":"2021_Morton_Redbuds 2_Lake Marmo_The Morton Arboretum_resized.png","title":"2021_Morton_Redbuds 2_Lake Marmo_The Morton Arboretum_resized.png","type":"journal","uuid":"d65af86a-edef-d0a0-3bb8-77077b3de6c9","fileEntryId":"1103804","resourcePrimKey":"1227638","url":"/documents/883951/989581/2021_Morton_Redbuds%202_Lake%20Marmo_The%20Morton%20Arboretum_resized.png/d65af86a-edef-d0a0-3bb8-77077b3de6c9?t=1619446749236","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="asEJRVk8" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="aovu" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[As Seen on the Illinois Tollway – The Morton Arboretum]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="UMFW3arR" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="ltiu" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>A spear-wielding troll. Giant ants. Colorfully illuminated trees.</p><p>Those are some of the sights drivers traveling along the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88) just west of the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355) have seen at The Morton Arboretum in west suburban Lisle.</p><p>The Morton Arboretum ranks as one of the world’s largest, oldest and most diverse outdoor tree museums. Established in 1922 by Joy Morton, founder of the Morton Salt Co. and son of J. Sterling Morton, the founder of Arbor Day, the Arboretum encompasses 1,700 acres of plant collections and gardens amid natural landscapes of woodlands, prairie, lakes and streams.</p><p>The Arboretum grows and displays a rich diversity of trees, shrubs and other plants that are evaluated for their suitability for the Midwest. These living collections include 222,000 plant specimens representing 4,650 different kinds of plants. Additionally, 90 different kinds of plants on the grounds are considered threatened or endangered on state, federal or world lists.</p><p>Specimens are arranged by geography, plant category or special features common to that specific group such as size, soil requirements and horticultural traits. The oldest trees at the Arboretum date back to the 1760s when the land was occupied by Native Americans.</p><p>The Arboretum is also a world-renowned leader in developing programs and initiatives to plant and protect trees, including a partnership with the Illinois Tollway and others to increase the region’s tree canopy. The Arboretum is providing expertise in tree planting techniques and the development of soil amendments to support the Tollway’s effort to plant 58,000 trees along its system.</p><p>Open every day of the year, the Arboretum features 16 miles of hiking trails and 9 miles of paved roads for driving/bicycling or guided tram tours. Specialty gardens include the 4-acre Children’s Garden and 1-acre maze.</p><p>The Arboretum also hosts numerous events and special exhibits. This year, it’s introducing a new outdoor art exhibit, Human + Nature, to connect people and trees. Though not visible from the Tollway, the exhibit includes five 15- to 26-foot-tall sculptures by internationally renowned artist, Daniel Popper, whose larger-than-life sculptures are on display at venues worldwide. Made of glass-reinforced concrete, fiberglass and steel, the Human + Nature sculptures follow on the heels of the successful Troll Hunt exhibit, which has ended.</p><p>Advanced reservations are required for tickets. For more information, visit mortonarb.org.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="nztq" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-04-26]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
As Seen on the Illinois Tollway – The Morton Arboretum
Display date: 2021-04-26
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="nlpf" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"1103769","groupId":"20184","name":"52577","alt":"2021_Morton_Redbuds 2_Lake Marmo_The Morton Arboretum_resized.png","title":"2021_Morton_Redbuds 2_Lake Marmo_The Morton Arboretum_resized.png","type":"journal","uuid":"d65af86a-edef-d0a0-3bb8-77077b3de6c9","fileEntryId":"1103804","resourcePrimKey":"1141838"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="m4LRGrqv" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="rsbr" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[As Seen on the Illinois Tollway – The Morton Arboretum]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="hW5OhfqT" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="rmsu" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>A spear-wielding troll. Giant ants. Colorfully illuminated trees.</p><p>Those are some of the sights drivers traveling along the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88) just west of the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355) have seen at The Morton Arboretum in west suburban Lisle.</p><p>The Morton Arboretum ranks as one of the world’s largest, oldest and most diverse outdoor tree museums. Established in 1922 by Joy Morton, founder of the Morton Salt Co. and son of J. Sterling Morton, the founder of Arbor Day, the Arboretum encompasses 1,700 acres of plant collections and gardens amid natural landscapes of woodlands, prairie, lakes and streams.</p><p>The Arboretum grows and displays a rich diversity of trees, shrubs and other plants that are evaluated for their suitability for the Midwest. These living collections include 222,000 plant specimens representing 4,650 different kinds of plants. Additionally, 90 different kinds of plants on the grounds are considered threatened or endangered on state, federal or world lists.</p><p>Specimens are arranged by geography, plant category or special features common to that specific group such as size, soil requirements and horticultural traits. The oldest trees at the Arboretum date back to the 1760s when the land was occupied by Native Americans.</p><p>The Arboretum is also a world-renowned leader in developing programs and initiatives to plant and protect trees, including a partnership with the Illinois Tollway and others to increase the region’s tree canopy. The Arboretum is providing expertise in tree planting techniques and the development of soil amendments to support the Tollway’s effort to plant 58,000 trees along its system.</p><p>Open every day of the year, the Arboretum features 16 miles of hiking trails and 9 miles of paved roads for driving/bicycling or guided tram tours. Specialty gardens include the 4-acre Children’s Garden and 1-acre maze.</p><p>The Arboretum also hosts numerous events and special exhibits. This year, it’s introducing a new outdoor art exhibit, Human + Nature, to connect people and trees. Though not visible from the Tollway, the exhibit includes five 15- to 26-foot-tall sculptures by internationally renowned artist, Daniel Popper, whose larger-than-life sculptures are on display at venues worldwide. Made of glass-reinforced concrete, fiberglass and steel, the Human + Nature sculptures follow on the heels of the successful Troll Hunt exhibit, which has ended.</p><p>Advanced reservations are required for tickets. For more information, visit mortonarb.org.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="lxsy" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-04-26]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
As Seen on the Illinois Tollway – The Morton Arboretum
Display date: 2021-04-26
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="nddt" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"EarthDaySeeds_blog_0421-01.jpg","name":"EarthDaySeeds_blog_0421-01.jpg","width":"","description":"EarthDaySeeds_blog_0421-01.jpg","title":"EarthDaySeeds_blog_0421-01.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"591c4c3a-8557-a209-9121-155a3aa914dd","fileEntryId":"1102320","resourcePrimKey":"1227651","url":"/documents/883951/989581/EarthDaySeeds_blog_0421-01.jpg/591c4c3a-8557-a209-9121-155a3aa914dd?t=1619095888209","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="dHWgJAXN" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="cder" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Rings in Earth Day by Setting Stage to Reach 58K Trees]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="JXCKh6NK" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="kmqs" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>This year, the Illinois Tollway celebrates Earth Day by sharing wildflower seed packets while serving customers, while advancing key contracts that aim to fulfill its commitment to plant 58,000 trees throughout the 294-mile Tollway system. These efforts are being achieved as a part of the Tollway’s overall commitment to balancing the environmental impacts of its roadway projects through the implementation of a comprehensive landscaping master plan. </p><p>The Illinois Tollway’s landscaping master plan include a variety of wetland mitigation projects, roadside plantings, landscaping projects, and environmental improvements that in aggregate total an overall commitment to plant enough trees, shrubs and native plants that total 58,000 trees throughout the region. And, with new landscaping contracts agreed to by the Board of Directors at its April 22 meeting, the Tollway is poised exceed its goal as part of its 15-year, $14 billion Move Illinois capital program.</p><p>Since 2017, the Tollway is well on their way to reaching that goal, having planted enough trees and shrubs throughout all five of the roadways totaling 35,000 trees across the Tollway system. </p><p>Roadside plantings throughout the Tollway system include viburnum and native dogwood varieties of shrubs, in addition to oaks, elms and locust trees identified and selected through a partnership with The Morton Arboretum, and the Miabie maple and Exclamation! London planetree, both first introduced by the Arboretum. In addition, several test sites have been established on the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355) where The Morton Arboretum is studying which trees perform best along the interstate system, assessing the effects of different soil amendments and researching new tree planting techniques. </p><p>The landscape master plan also includes the seeding of native grasses and flowers in keeping with the Tollway’s pollinator program goals. Working with The Conservation Foundation, with input from the Xerces Society, local nurseries and the Illinois Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Tollway developed a unique seed mix for use along Tollway right-of-way. These efforts are part of the agency’s pollinator program to enhance and create habitat for monarch butterflies and other important pollinators along tollway roadsides throughout the 12 counties the Tollway serves.</p><p>The wildflower seed packets were shared by Tollway H.E.L.P. truck drivers and at customer service centers at gateway oases locations. The annual effort is aimed to support of its ongoing pollinator program to restore and create habitat for monarch butterflies and other important pollinators. </p><p>The Tollway’s seed mix includes two native flowers: Asclepias tuberosa (butterfly weed) a species of milkweed and Echinacea pallida (the pale purple coneflower) and will cover an area up to 25 square feet. These are drought-tolerant, full-sun species and will provide pollinators with an abundance of nectar throughout the summer. </p><p>The first Earth Day on April 22, 1970, activated 20 million Americans from all walks of life and is widely credited with launching the modern environmental movement. The passage of the landmark Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act and many other groundbreaking environmental laws soon followed. More than 1 billion people now participate in Earth Day activities each year, making it the largest civic observance in the world.<br /> </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="nrzq" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-04-22]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Rings in Earth Day by Setting Stage to Reach 58K Trees
Display date: 2021-04-22
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="jqcp" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"1102316","groupId":"20184","name":"52548","alt":"EarthDaySeeds_blog_0421-01.jpg","title":"EarthDaySeeds_blog_0421-01.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"591c4c3a-8557-a209-9121-155a3aa914dd","fileEntryId":"1102320","resourcePrimKey":"1141851"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="U74cue5C" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="reyu" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Rings in Earth Day by Setting Stage to Reach 58K Trees]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="cDmwGzKO" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="yntz" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>This year, the Illinois Tollway celebrates Earth Day by sharing wildflower seed packets while serving customers, while advancing key contracts that aim to fulfill its commitment to plant 58,000 trees throughout the 294-mile Tollway system. These efforts are being achieved as a part of the Tollway’s overall commitment to balancing the environmental impacts of its roadway projects through the implementation of a comprehensive landscaping master plan. </p><p>The Illinois Tollway’s landscaping master plan include a variety of wetland mitigation projects, roadside plantings, landscaping projects, and environmental improvements that in aggregate total an overall commitment to plant enough trees, shrubs and native plants that total 58,000 trees throughout the region. And, with new landscaping contracts agreed to by the Board of Directors at its April 22 meeting, the Tollway is poised exceed its goal as part of its 15-year, $14 billion Move Illinois capital program.</p><p>Since 2017, the Tollway is well on their way to reaching that goal, having planted enough trees and shrubs throughout all five of the roadways totaling 35,000 trees across the Tollway system. </p><p>Roadside plantings throughout the Tollway system include viburnum and native dogwood varieties of shrubs, in addition to oaks, elms and locust trees identified and selected through a partnership with The Morton Arboretum, and the Miabie maple and Exclamation! London planetree, both first introduced by the Arboretum. In addition, several test sites have been established on the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355) where The Morton Arboretum is studying which trees perform best along the interstate system, assessing the effects of different soil amendments and researching new tree planting techniques. </p><p>The landscape master plan also includes the seeding of native grasses and flowers in keeping with the Tollway’s pollinator program goals. Working with The Conservation Foundation, with input from the Xerces Society, local nurseries and the Illinois Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Tollway developed a unique seed mix for use along Tollway right-of-way. These efforts are part of the agency’s pollinator program to enhance and create habitat for monarch butterflies and other important pollinators along tollway roadsides throughout the 12 counties the Tollway serves.</p><p>The wildflower seed packets were shared by Tollway H.E.L.P. truck drivers and at customer service centers at gateway oases locations. The annual effort is aimed to support of its ongoing pollinator program to restore and create habitat for monarch butterflies and other important pollinators. </p><p>The Tollway’s seed mix includes two native flowers: Asclepias tuberosa (butterfly weed) a species of milkweed and Echinacea pallida (the pale purple coneflower) and will cover an area up to 25 square feet. These are drought-tolerant, full-sun species and will provide pollinators with an abundance of nectar throughout the summer. </p><p>The first Earth Day on April 22, 1970, activated 20 million Americans from all walks of life and is widely credited with launching the modern environmental movement. The passage of the landmark Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act and many other groundbreaking environmental laws soon followed. More than 1 billion people now participate in Earth Day activities each year, making it the largest civic observance in the world.<br /> </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="ehop" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-04-22]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Rings in Earth Day by Setting Stage to Reach 58K Trees
Display date: 2021-04-22
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="ieyz" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Dispatch_DSC4066-blog_0421.jpg","name":"Dispatch_DSC4066-blog_0421.jpg","width":"","description":"Dispatch_DSC4066-blog_0421.jpg","title":"Dispatch_DSC4066-blog_0421.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"30c6a513-e5cb-625d-7893-c000fbe1c466","fileEntryId":"1099455","resourcePrimKey":"1227664","url":"/documents/883951/989581/Dispatch_DSC4066-blog_0421.jpg/30c6a513-e5cb-625d-7893-c000fbe1c466?t=1618236448384","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="H3Ik53Yn" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="fppi" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Telecommunicators and Call Takers Carry on Through COVID Pandemic]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="d2FNeleW" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="rfnd" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>There’s more to serving customers on our roadways than meets the eye. While our customers instantly recognize our Illinois State Police District 15 troopers and HELP Truck drivers, behind the scenes the Illinois Tollway has a whole team of telecommunicators there to support their efforts - and during the pandemic, their work has been more important than ever. <br /> <br />The group, whose duties including taking customers’ emergency calls, kept operating throughout the pandemic at the Tollway’s headquarters, while adopting safety measures and schedule changes to ensure COVID-19 didn’t impact their team. </p><p>“Their work has been absolutely essential during the pandemic,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “We are grateful that these employees were more than willing to step up and do whatever was needed to serve our customers.” <br /> <br />The Tollway’s staff of nearly 30 telecommunicators, call takers and supervisors switched to working 12-hour shifts, with some also working six-day weeks to keep the dispatch center operating around the clock seven days a week. Those changes allowed staffing to be reduced from as many as five workers per shift to three workers, minimizing the risks of spreading COVID-19 among team members.<br /> <br />In addition, the Tollway quickly installed plastic dividers between work stations as a safety measure, an obstacle dispatches were forced to adjust to while quickly sharing information as they handle calls from customers.<br /> <br />Motorist assist and emergency calls to the Tollway initially dropped when the pandemic struck as traffic volumes declined, but the calls rebounded as more drivers returned to the Tollway system. Many of those calls require Tollway staffers to help rattled or upset drivers, working to identify their location on the Tollway system and then determine the proper emergency responders to dispatch to provide assistance. <br /> <br />Call takers and telecommunicators responded to the challenge, handling more than 150,000 calls to *999 or 911 last year. And they did it without missing a beat, which is crucial given the urgency of many of the calls they received, particularly those involving crashes or other roadway emergencies. <br /> <br />“Their jobs are imperative to the safety of our customers,” Incident Manager Steve Mednis said. “And our team has met every challenge throughout the pandemic.” <br /> <br />In addition to answering calls for emergency assistance made by customers to *999 or 911, the team members also monitor alarms at Tollway facilities along the system, handle reports of damage to roadway pavement or lighting. and even handle misdirected calls from customers about payment or I-PASS issues.<br /> <br />As the pandemic mitigation efforts have gradually shifted, call takers and telecommunicators have able to return to their normal work schedules and staffing levels. That said, throughout their focus remained the same - providing the best possible service as quickly as possible to Tollway customers.<br /> <br />“They just keep coming in every day and keep doing what they need to do. It’s a great group,” said Dispatch Supervisor Deb Deel, who has worked for the agency for 33 years.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="lcej" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-04-12]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Telecommunicators and Call Takers Carry on Through COVID Pandemic
Display date: 2021-04-12
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="ugnd" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"1099451","groupId":"20184","name":"52507","alt":"Dispatch_DSC4066-blog_0421.jpg","title":"Dispatch_DSC4066-blog_0421.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"30c6a513-e5cb-625d-7893-c000fbe1c466","fileEntryId":"1099455","resourcePrimKey":"1141864"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="XeqWEWY8" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="fztq" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Telecommunicators and Call Takers Carry on Through COVID Pandemic]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="feL6PGUK" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="ltnl" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>There’s more to serving customers on our roadways than meets the eye. While our customers instantly recognize our Illinois State Police District 15 troopers and HELP Truck drivers, behind the scenes the Illinois Tollway has a whole team of telecommunicators there to support their efforts - and during the pandemic, their work has been more important than ever. <br /> <br />The group, whose duties including taking customers’ emergency calls, kept operating throughout the pandemic at the Tollway’s headquarters, while adopting safety measures and schedule changes to ensure COVID-19 didn’t impact their team. </p><p>“Their work has been absolutely essential during the pandemic,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “We are grateful that these employees were more than willing to step up and do whatever was needed to serve our customers.” <br /> <br />The Tollway’s staff of nearly 30 telecommunicators, call takers and supervisors switched to working 12-hour shifts, with some also working six-day weeks to keep the dispatch center operating around the clock seven days a week. Those changes allowed staffing to be reduced from as many as five workers per shift to three workers, minimizing the risks of spreading COVID-19 among team members.<br /> <br />In addition, the Tollway quickly installed plastic dividers between work stations as a safety measure, an obstacle dispatches were forced to adjust to while quickly sharing information as they handle calls from customers.<br /> <br />Motorist assist and emergency calls to the Tollway initially dropped when the pandemic struck as traffic volumes declined, but the calls rebounded as more drivers returned to the Tollway system. Many of those calls require Tollway staffers to help rattled or upset drivers, working to identify their location on the Tollway system and then determine the proper emergency responders to dispatch to provide assistance. <br /> <br />Call takers and telecommunicators responded to the challenge, handling more than 150,000 calls to *999 or 911 last year. And they did it without missing a beat, which is crucial given the urgency of many of the calls they received, particularly those involving crashes or other roadway emergencies. <br /> <br />“Their jobs are imperative to the safety of our customers,” Incident Manager Steve Mednis said. “And our team has met every challenge throughout the pandemic.” <br /> <br />In addition to answering calls for emergency assistance made by customers to *999 or 911, the team members also monitor alarms at Tollway facilities along the system, handle reports of damage to roadway pavement or lighting. and even handle misdirected calls from customers about payment or I-PASS issues.<br /> <br />As the pandemic mitigation efforts have gradually shifted, call takers and telecommunicators have able to return to their normal work schedules and staffing levels. That said, throughout their focus remained the same - providing the best possible service as quickly as possible to Tollway customers.<br /> <br />“They just keep coming in every day and keep doing what they need to do. It’s a great group,” said Dispatch Supervisor Deb Deel, who has worked for the agency for 33 years.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="akuz" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-04-12]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Telecommunicators and Call Takers Carry on Through COVID Pandemic
Display date: 2021-04-12
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="hsxt" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"MLB Demo-SaniCanal-blog_0321-01.jpg","name":"MLB Demo-SaniCanal-blog_0321-01.jpg","width":"","description":"MLB Demo-SaniCanal-blog_0321-01.jpg","title":"MLB Demo-SaniCanal-blog_0321-01.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"98a2e57e-62ef-935d-beea-8c296948636c","fileEntryId":"1094680","resourcePrimKey":"1227677","url":"/documents/883951/989581/MLB%20Demo-SaniCanal-blog_0321-01.jpg/98a2e57e-62ef-935d-beea-8c296948636c?t=1617279833246","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="aDm1AUZQ" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="gkyq" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Crews Demolishing Closed Northbound Mile Long Bridge to Make Room for New Span]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="K6Qn3Un4" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="kend" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>It’s not easy demolishing a 4,900-foot-long, four-lane, concrete-and-steel bridge that stands 40 feet high and is supported by 53 concrete piers.<br /> <br />But crews working through the winter using cranes and concrete saws already have removed about 35 percent of the northbound Mile Long Bridge on the Tri-State Tollway (I-294), which closed last November when a new, adjacent bridge opened.<br /> <br />Weather permitting, they expect to finish demolishing the massive structure by October, although construction of a new southbound bridge on the same site will start even before the old bridge is completely gone.<br /> <br />The work is part of the Tollway’s $4 billion Central Tri-State Tollway Program, which is rebuilding and widening 22 miles of I-294 between Balmoral Avenue in Rosemont and 95th Street in Oak Lawn.<br /> <br />“This is a complex project so we’re pleased this work is proceeding on schedule, despite the weather challenges we’ve faced at times this winter,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “Removing this portion of the Mile Long Bridge is critical because it allows us to proceed with the construction of the new southbound bridge needed to complete this project and provide a safer, state-of-the-art bridge for our customers.’<br /> <br />Opened in 1958, the Mile Long Bridge is being replaced with two side-by-side, five-lane bridges that are projected to operate for up to 100 years.<br /> <br />The new northbound bridge opened last fall just east of the original northbound span, which was then closed to traffic.<br /> <br />That closed bridge now is being demolished to make room for the new southbound bridge.<br /> <br />Crews are using concrete saws to cut the parapet wall along the bridge and remove the bridge deck in slabs. The concrete sections are removed from the bridge and further processed for re-use by further breaking down the concrete and removing the steel rebar inside.<br /> <br />As part of the Tollway’s commitment to sustainability, the concrete is being crushed and processed onsite. The material will be used in the project as base for roadway or ramp approaches to the new southbound bridge, or for access roads. <br /> <br />After each portion of the bridge deck is removed, the supporting concrete beams are also removed and later broken up onsite so the concrete can be reused in the bridge project.<br /> <br />When all the decking and beams have been removed, the 53 towering concrete piers that supported the bridge will demolished and removed, although their underground foundations will be left in place.<br /> <br />So far, the walls and decking on nearly 20 of the 54 bridge spans have been removed, although work was stopped because of storms and cold weather for several weeks in late January and early February.<br /> <br />Later this year, even before the demolition work is completed, crews will be begin drilling and sinking caissons for the piers needed to support the new southbound Mile Long Bridge. It will run adjacent to the new northbound bridge, roughly following the route of the demolished span.<br /> <br />The new southbound bridge is scheduled to open by the end of 2022, with the entire Mile Long Bridge project wrapping up in 2023. </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="nbxm" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-04-01]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Crews Demolishing Closed Northbound Mile Long Bridge to Make Room for New Span
Display date: 2021-04-01
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="ihmm" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"1094676","groupId":"20184","name":"52315","alt":"MLB Demo-SaniCanal-blog_0321-01.jpg","title":"MLB Demo-SaniCanal-blog_0321-01.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"98a2e57e-62ef-935d-beea-8c296948636c","fileEntryId":"1094680","resourcePrimKey":"1141877"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="QNHBSTKi" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="xzad" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Crews Demolishing Closed Northbound Mile Long Bridge to Make Room for New Span]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="1qpegj1B" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="klrv" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>It’s not easy demolishing a 4,900-foot-long, four-lane, concrete-and-steel bridge that stands 40 feet high and is supported by 53 concrete piers.<br /> <br />But crews working through the winter using cranes and concrete saws already have removed about 35 percent of the northbound Mile Long Bridge on the Tri-State Tollway (I-294), which closed last November when a new, adjacent bridge opened.<br /> <br />Weather permitting, they expect to finish demolishing the massive structure by October, although construction of a new southbound bridge on the same site will start even before the old bridge is completely gone.<br /> <br />The work is part of the Tollway’s $4 billion Central Tri-State Tollway Program, which is rebuilding and widening 22 miles of I-294 between Balmoral Avenue in Rosemont and 95th Street in Oak Lawn.<br /> <br />“This is a complex project so we’re pleased this work is proceeding on schedule, despite the weather challenges we’ve faced at times this winter,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “Removing this portion of the Mile Long Bridge is critical because it allows us to proceed with the construction of the new southbound bridge needed to complete this project and provide a safer, state-of-the-art bridge for our customers.’<br /> <br />Opened in 1958, the Mile Long Bridge is being replaced with two side-by-side, five-lane bridges that are projected to operate for up to 100 years.<br /> <br />The new northbound bridge opened last fall just east of the original northbound span, which was then closed to traffic.<br /> <br />That closed bridge now is being demolished to make room for the new southbound bridge.<br /> <br />Crews are using concrete saws to cut the parapet wall along the bridge and remove the bridge deck in slabs. The concrete sections are removed from the bridge and further processed for re-use by further breaking down the concrete and removing the steel rebar inside.<br /> <br />As part of the Tollway’s commitment to sustainability, the concrete is being crushed and processed onsite. The material will be used in the project as base for roadway or ramp approaches to the new southbound bridge, or for access roads. <br /> <br />After each portion of the bridge deck is removed, the supporting concrete beams are also removed and later broken up onsite so the concrete can be reused in the bridge project.<br /> <br />When all the decking and beams have been removed, the 53 towering concrete piers that supported the bridge will demolished and removed, although their underground foundations will be left in place.<br /> <br />So far, the walls and decking on nearly 20 of the 54 bridge spans have been removed, although work was stopped because of storms and cold weather for several weeks in late January and early February.<br /> <br />Later this year, even before the demolition work is completed, crews will be begin drilling and sinking caissons for the piers needed to support the new southbound Mile Long Bridge. It will run adjacent to the new northbound bridge, roughly following the route of the demolished span.<br /> <br />The new southbound bridge is scheduled to open by the end of 2022, with the entire Mile Long Bridge project wrapping up in 2023. </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="pvyu" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-04-01]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Crews Demolishing Closed Northbound Mile Long Bridge to Make Room for New Span
Display date: 2021-04-01
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="niok" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"294-beautyshot-DSC0901-blog_0321-01.jpg","name":"294-beautyshot-DSC0901-blog_0321-01.jpg","width":"","description":"294-beautyshot-DSC0901-blog_0321-01.jpg","title":"294-beautyshot-DSC0901-blog_0321-01.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"ef840a54-7cbf-db41-0601-ba4cc6c6eb7e","fileEntryId":"1094346","resourcePrimKey":"1227690","url":"/documents/883951/989581/294-beautyshot-DSC0901-blog_0321-01.jpg/ef840a54-7cbf-db41-0601-ba4cc6c6eb7e?t=1617212030753","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="Uv3RGjXS" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="fzfu" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Making Travel and Toll Payments Easier for Customers This Easter Holiday]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="IgF5uvIn" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="hifl" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<h2>Tollway customers have 14 days to pay unpaid tolls online</h2><p>Traveling the Illinois Tollway system for Easter holiday travel this weekend? Be sure to bring your I-PASS or E-ZPass transponder or don’t forget to Pay By Plate online and avoid fees and fines. All drivers have a 14-day grace period – one of the longest in the nation – to pay their unpaid tolls.</p><p>The Pay By Plate service allows customers to simply provide a license plate, dates of travel, and a payment method and then the Illinois Tollway will do the rest. The Tollway service identifies unpaid tolls and then charges customers for cash-rate tolls weekly as the unpaid tolls register in the system.</p><p>While I-PASS is still the best, most cost-effective way to pay tolls on the Illinois Tollway, Pay By Plate is built on the I-PASS payment platform, giving customers a simple payment option that ensures avoiding costly fines and fees</p><p>For more information click <a href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/unpaid-tolls">here</a>.</p><p class="wordsection1"><a href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/projects"><b>Holiday Work Zones</b></a><br />To accommodate holiday travel on the Illinois Tollway, construction activity will be restricted to better serve Tollway customers. Most temporary maintenance and construction lane closures will be suspended from noon on Friday, April 2, through 9 a.m. on Monday, April 5. Some work may continue behind barriers to keep work on schedule. All work is weather-dependent. Areas where ongoing work zones may impact traffic include:</p><p class="wordsection1"><b>Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80)</b></p><ul><li>On I-94, traffic in both directions at Stearns School Road is reduced from four lanes to three.</li><li>On I-294 between the Bensenville Railyard Bridge and St. Charles Road, traffic is shifted in both directions. Southbound traffic in the counterflow/express lanes will not have access to the exit to westbound I-290. </li><li>On I-294 at Joliet Road, the ramp connecting southbound I-294 to eastbound Joliet Road is closed and a detour is posted.</li><li>On I-294 between Ogden Avenue and 55th Street and between Plainfield Road and 95th Street, traffic is shifted.</li><li>On I-294, the ramp from eastbound Archer Avenue to southbound I-294 is closed and a detour is posted.</li><li>On I-294, at I-57 southbound traffic is reduced from four lanes to three.</li></ul><p class="wordsection1"><b>Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88)</b></p><ul><li>Between the EJ&E Railroad and Illinois Route 59, traffic is shifted in both directions.</li></ul><p class="wordsection1"><a href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/travel-information"><b>Dial *999 for Roadway Assistance</b></a><br />Drivers should call *999 to get help from Tollway roadway maintenance crews or from Illinois State Police District 15 who patrol the Tollway system 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Motorist aid patrols stand ready to help stranded customers change tires, jump-start batteries, add coolant, dispense fuel, transport customers, move vehicles away from traffic and call for a tow truck.</p><p class="wordsection1"><a target="_blank" href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/travel-information/oases"><b>Visit a Tollway Oasis</b></a><br />Travelers can stop by any of the six Tollway oases facilities to take a break, grab a snack and refuel. Oases also offer the opportunity for drivers to safely and conveniently use their mobile devices for calling, texting, posting and accessing apps. There are four oases locations on the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80): Lake Forest, O’Hare, Hinsdale and the Chicago Southland Lincoln in South Holland, as well as on the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) in Belvidere and on the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88) in DeKalb.</p><p class="wordsection1"><b>About the Illinois Tollway</b><br />The Illinois Tollway is a user-fee system that receives no state or federal funds for maintenance and operations. The agency maintains and operates 294 miles of roadways in 12 counties in Northern Illinois, including the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355), the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80) and the Illinois Route 390 Tollway.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="pfet" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-03-31]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Making Travel and Toll Payments Easier for Customers This Easter Holiday
Display date: 2021-03-31
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="dpjr" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"1094222","groupId":"20184","name":"52307","alt":"294-beautyshot-DSC0901-blog_0321-01.jpg","title":"294-beautyshot-DSC0901-blog_0321-01.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"ef840a54-7cbf-db41-0601-ba4cc6c6eb7e","fileEntryId":"1094346","resourcePrimKey":"1141890"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="DoGq1ihr" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="joom" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Making Travel and Toll Payments Easier for Customers This Easter Holiday]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="nypF2AII" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="iidx" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<h2>Tollway customers have 14 days to pay unpaid tolls online</h2><p>Traveling the Illinois Tollway system for Easter holiday travel this weekend? Be sure to bring your I-PASS or E-ZPass transponder or don’t forget to Pay By Plate online and avoid fees and fines. All drivers have a 14-day grace period – one of the longest in the nation – to pay their unpaid tolls.</p><p>The Pay By Plate service allows customers to simply provide a license plate, dates of travel, and a payment method and then the Illinois Tollway will do the rest. The Tollway service identifies unpaid tolls and then charges customers for cash-rate tolls weekly as the unpaid tolls register in the system.</p><p>While I-PASS is still the best, most cost-effective way to pay tolls on the Illinois Tollway, Pay By Plate is built on the I-PASS payment platform, giving customers a simple payment option that ensures avoiding costly fines and fees</p><p>For more information click <a href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/unpaid-tolls">here</a>.</p><p class="wordsection1"><a href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/projects"><b>Holiday Work Zones</b></a><br />To accommodate holiday travel on the Illinois Tollway, construction activity will be restricted to better serve Tollway customers. Most temporary maintenance and construction lane closures will be suspended from noon on Friday, April 2, through 9 a.m. on Monday, April 5. Some work may continue behind barriers to keep work on schedule. All work is weather-dependent. Areas where ongoing work zones may impact traffic include:</p><p class="wordsection1"><b>Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80)</b></p><ul><li>On I-94, traffic in both directions at Stearns School Road is reduced from four lanes to three.</li><li>On I-294 between the Bensenville Railyard Bridge and St. Charles Road, traffic is shifted in both directions. Southbound traffic in the counterflow/express lanes will not have access to the exit to westbound I-290. </li><li>On I-294 at Joliet Road, the ramp connecting southbound I-294 to eastbound Joliet Road is closed and a detour is posted.</li><li>On I-294 between Ogden Avenue and 55th Street and between Plainfield Road and 95th Street, traffic is shifted.</li><li>On I-294, the ramp from eastbound Archer Avenue to southbound I-294 is closed and a detour is posted.</li><li>On I-294, at I-57 southbound traffic is reduced from four lanes to three.</li></ul><p class="wordsection1"><b>Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88)</b></p><ul><li>Between the EJ&E Railroad and Illinois Route 59, traffic is shifted in both directions.</li></ul><p class="wordsection1"><a href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/travel-information"><b>Dial *999 for Roadway Assistance</b></a><br />Drivers should call *999 to get help from Tollway roadway maintenance crews or from Illinois State Police District 15 who patrol the Tollway system 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Motorist aid patrols stand ready to help stranded customers change tires, jump-start batteries, add coolant, dispense fuel, transport customers, move vehicles away from traffic and call for a tow truck.</p><p class="wordsection1"><a target="_blank" href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/travel-information/oases"><b>Visit a Tollway Oasis</b></a><br />Travelers can stop by any of the six Tollway oases facilities to take a break, grab a snack and refuel. Oases also offer the opportunity for drivers to safely and conveniently use their mobile devices for calling, texting, posting and accessing apps. There are four oases locations on the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80): Lake Forest, O’Hare, Hinsdale and the Chicago Southland Lincoln in South Holland, as well as on the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) in Belvidere and on the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88) in DeKalb.</p><p class="wordsection1"><b>About the Illinois Tollway</b><br />The Illinois Tollway is a user-fee system that receives no state or federal funds for maintenance and operations. The agency maintains and operates 294 miles of roadways in 12 counties in Northern Illinois, including the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355), the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80) and the Illinois Route 390 Tollway.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="zhjm" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-03-31]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Making Travel and Toll Payments Easier for Customers This Easter Holiday
Display date: 2021-03-31
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="zjhj" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"294_Quarry-blog_0321.jpg","name":"294_Quarry-blog_0321.jpg","width":"","description":"294_Quarry-blog_0321.jpg","title":"294_Quarry-blog_0321.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"d11c53c7-726d-86b4-a9fb-11f0ea6d7b4b","fileEntryId":"1091381","resourcePrimKey":"1227703","url":"/documents/883951/989581/294_Quarry-blog_0321.jpg/d11c53c7-726d-86b4-a9fb-11f0ea6d7b4b?t=1616523802865","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="WnPhemoA" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="torq" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[As Seen on the Illinois Tollway – Thornton Quarries]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="oSoWjpjV" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="ixma" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>One of the shortest segments of the Illinois Tollway traverses one of the biggest ravines in the ground in the Midwest. </p><p>A portion of the 5-mile segment of the Tri-State Tollway (I-294/I-80) between Hazel Crest to near the Indiana border runs across the Thornton Quarry. This 1.5-mile long, 450-foot-deep pit ranks as one of the largest commercial quarries in the world, according to the Thornton Historical Society. </p><p>Motorists on this stretch may see the quarry as one big canyon, but the Tollway was actually built on a dryland dike that splits the north quarry from the main pit area to the south. </p><p>One of the nation’s oldest limestone mining operations, Thornton Quarry began mining operations in 1836 – a year before Chicago was incorporated as a city and the population of the fledgling city stood at around 4,200 people. </p><p>Owned and operated by Hanson Material Service Corp. since 1938, Thornton Quarry produces more than 7 million tons of rock products a year. Contractors use these products for asphalt and concrete pavement mixes, asphalt roof shingles, fertilizers and various building materials. Materials from this quarry have been used in asphalt and concrete mixes on many Tollway roadway and bridge projects, as well as on pavements throughout Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and beyond. </p><p>The history of Thornton Quarry is much older. Fossilized remains of ancient sea creatures dating back more than 600 million years have been discovered in the quarry. Ancient crabs, squids and coral once thrived when much of North America was underwater as part of a vast tropic reef. </p><p>During the Silurian Age, about 450 million years ago, the coral took in sea-water and processed out the lime, according to the Thornton Historical Society. Lime deposits from the coral hardened and produced limestone. When the coral died, it remained on top of the limestone and became part of the formation. Young coral then laid eggs on the limestone and started the process all over again. The result was coral and other dead sea creatures became encased in the layers of limestone.</p><p>Today, the north quarry serves as an emergency reservoir for the Chicago area to prevent floods during heavy rains. Just below the toll road, a concrete dam separates the two sections of the quarry to prevent reservoir water from flooding into the main pit. The dam is 120 feet high and was built on rock 200 feet above the quarry floor. It is one of the biggest dams in Illinois, according to the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago.</p><p>The north quarry is capable of draining nearly 8 billion gallons of excess water through a 109-mile network of connections to the Deep Tunnel system operated by the MWRD. Opened in 2015, the reservoir prevents stormwater and sewage from backing up into streets and flowing into area rivers and creeks. After a storm, water is pumped back through the tunnels to the MWRD’s 130th Street treatment plant, where it is processed and returned to waterways flowing toward the Mississippi River. </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="odal" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-03-24]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
As Seen on the Illinois Tollway – Thornton Quarries
Display date: 2021-03-24
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="uilh" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"1091280","groupId":"20184","name":"52265","alt":"294_Quarry-blog_0321.jpg","title":"294_Quarry-blog_0321.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"d11c53c7-726d-86b4-a9fb-11f0ea6d7b4b","fileEntryId":"1091381","resourcePrimKey":"1141903"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="exblqkdg" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="vjlo" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[As Seen on the Illinois Tollway – Thornton Quarries]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="hbyhobxl" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="cuuj" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>One of the shortest segments of the Illinois Tollway traverses one of the biggest ravines in the ground in the Midwest. </p><p>A portion of the 5-mile segment of the Tri-State Tollway (I-294/I-80) between Hazel Crest to near the Indiana border runs across the Thornton Quarry. This 1.5-mile long, 450-foot-deep pit ranks as one of the largest commercial quarries in the world, according to the Thornton Historical Society. </p><p>Motorists on this stretch may see the quarry as one big canyon, but the Tollway was actually built on a dryland dike that splits the north quarry from the main pit area to the south. </p><p>One of the nation’s oldest limestone mining operations, Thornton Quarry began mining operations in 1836 – a year before Chicago was incorporated as a city and the population of the fledgling city stood at around 4,200 people. </p><p>Owned and operated by Hanson Material Service Corp. since 1938, Thornton Quarry produces more than 7 million tons of rock products a year. Contractors use these products for asphalt and concrete pavement mixes, asphalt roof shingles, fertilizers and various building materials. Materials from this quarry have been used in asphalt and concrete mixes on many Tollway roadway and bridge projects, as well as on pavements throughout Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and beyond. </p><p>The history of Thornton Quarry is much older. Fossilized remains of ancient sea creatures dating back more than 600 million years have been discovered in the quarry. Ancient crabs, squids and coral once thrived when much of North America was underwater as part of a vast tropic reef. </p><p>During the Silurian Age, about 450 million years ago, the coral took in sea-water and processed out the lime, according to the Thornton Historical Society. Lime deposits from the coral hardened and produced limestone. When the coral died, it remained on top of the limestone and became part of the formation. Young coral then laid eggs on the limestone and started the process all over again. The result was coral and other dead sea creatures became encased in the layers of limestone.</p><p>Today, the north quarry serves as an emergency reservoir for the Chicago area to prevent floods during heavy rains. Just below the toll road, a concrete dam separates the two sections of the quarry to prevent reservoir water from flooding into the main pit. The dam is 120 feet high and was built on rock 200 feet above the quarry floor. It is one of the biggest dams in Illinois, according to the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago.</p><p>The north quarry is capable of draining nearly 8 billion gallons of excess water through a 109-mile network of connections to the Deep Tunnel system operated by the MWRD. Opened in 2015, the reservoir prevents stormwater and sewage from backing up into streets and flowing into area rivers and creeks. After a storm, water is pumped back through the tunnels to the MWRD’s 130th Street treatment plant, where it is processed and returned to waterways flowing toward the Mississippi River. </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="qlus" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-03-24]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
As Seen on the Illinois Tollway – Thornton Quarries
Display date: 2021-03-24
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="akty" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"1073149","groupId":"20184","name":"51975","alt":"RSPO-blog_0221.jpg","title":"RSPO-blog_0221.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"6fc8de70-28f1-657a-d2f8-a3757c727143","fileEntryId":"1073664","resourcePrimKey":"1227716"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="tOYTXX42" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="hvnp" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Cashless Tolling - What Customers Need to Know]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="Mg7Btx8k" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="ofqe" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p><strong>Customers have a 14-day grace period to pay their tolls without fines and fees.</strong></p><p><strong>The Illinois Tollway offers a variety of options to pay tolls, including I-PASS and Pay By Plate.</strong></p><p> </p><h3><img alt="" width="250" height="56" src="/documents/20184/144802/Pay+By+Plate-logo-blue_0520-03.png/6a757427-2a2c-33c0-d40c-88f6b5d2e137?t=1595270737247&imagePreview=1" style="float:right" /></h3><h3>PAY BY PLATE</h3><p>Are you an infrequent tollway traveler? Are you looking for an easy way to pay an unpaid toll you already missed? </p><ul><li>Customers have a 14-day grace period – the longest in the nation – to pay unpaid tolls. Or set it up before you travel. </li><li>Set up Pay By Plate - Simply add your plate, payment method and dates of travel and you’re all set. You’ll be charged weekly as tolls register in our system. </li><li>No transponder is necessary, and customers are charged the cash rate – no fees and no fines. </li></ul><p>For more information click <a href="/about-ipass">here</a>.</p><p> </p><h3><img alt="" width="250" height="129" src="/documents/portlet_file_entry/20184/50-percent-tolls_600x309_0720.png/3fdf8ad6-b324-e882-721a-b98fd7df2d50?imagePreview=1" style="float:right" /><br />I-PASS</h3><p>Customers who use I-PASS or EZ-Pass pay a lower toll rate in exchange for using a transponder and applying money to their account in advance of their tolls. Over 90% of transactions are done via this method, and customers get a 50% discount on their tolls. <br />Customers looking for the most seamless experience can stop by their local Jewel-Osco to enroll today. Click <a href="/about-ipass">here</a> to learn more.</p><p> </p><h3> </h3><h3>CHECK OR MONEY ORDER</h3><p>The Illinois Tollway will take a check or money order in instances where customers are unable to pay online. Click <a href="/about-ipass">here</a> to learn more. </p><h3> </h3><p> </p><h3>LOOKING FOR VIOLATION RELIEF?</h3><p>The Illinois Tollway has extended a violation relief program which reduced all existing $20 and $50 violations to $3 for cars. The measure, initially slated to run through December 30th, 2020, was extended through June 30, 2021 providing a full year for customers to take advantage. <br />To date, nearly 23% of all outstanding violation notices have been cleared by customers. For more information click <a href="/Violations">here</a>. <br />All $20 and $50 violations have been reduced to $3 until June 30th, 2021</p><h3> </h3><h3>2020 TOLLING REFORM</h3><ul><li><strong>Reduced Fees</strong> - After June 25, 2020 passenger customer have 14 days to pay prior to receiving a mailed invoice, which has been reduced from a $20 violation to an initial $3 fee for each toll for passenger vehicles.</li><li><strong>COVID-19 Relief</strong> - March 9, 2020 – June 25, 2020 customers were invoiced an extra .01 cent for missed tolls only.</li><li><strong>Violation Relief</strong> - Before March 9, 2020 all outstanding $20 and $50 violations were reduced to $3 through June 30, 2021. To date, nearly 23% of all outstanding violation notices have been cleared by customers.</li><li><strong>New Way to Pay</strong> - In June 2020 the Tollway’s new industry-leading Pay By Plate service rolled out allowing customers to go online, enter their plate, date of travel and payment method and let the Tollway take care of the rest.</li></ul>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="chxa" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-02-26]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Cashless Tolling - What Customers Need to Know
Display date: 2021-02-26
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="yrtb" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"1073149","groupId":"20184","name":"51975","alt":"RSPO-blog_0221.jpg","title":"RSPO-blog_0221.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"6fc8de70-28f1-657a-d2f8-a3757c727143","fileEntryId":"1073664","resourcePrimKey":"1141916"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="IhOv9YbM" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="gbko" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Cashless Tolling - What Customers Need to Know]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="qKKQ4Qmc" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="xmgc" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p><strong>Customers have a 14-day grace period to pay their tolls without fines and fees.</strong></p><p><strong>The Illinois Tollway offers a variety of options to pay tolls, including I-PASS and Pay By Plate.</strong></p><p> </p><h3><img alt="" width="250" height="56" src="/documents/20184/144802/Pay+By+Plate-logo-blue_0520-03.png/6a757427-2a2c-33c0-d40c-88f6b5d2e137?t=1595270737247&imagePreview=1" style="float:right" /></h3><h3>PAY BY PLATE</h3><p>Are you an infrequent tollway traveler? Are you looking for an easy way to pay an unpaid toll you already missed? </p><ul><li>Customers have a 14-day grace period – the longest in the nation – to pay unpaid tolls. Or set it up before you travel. </li><li>Set up Pay By Plate - Simply add your plate, payment method and dates of travel and you’re all set. You’ll be charged weekly as tolls register in our system. </li><li>No transponder is necessary, and customers are charged the cash rate – no fees and no fines. </li></ul><p>For more information click <a href="/about-ipass">here</a>.</p><p> </p><h3><img alt="" width="250" height="129" src="/documents/portlet_file_entry/20184/50-percent-tolls_600x309_0720.png/3fdf8ad6-b324-e882-721a-b98fd7df2d50?imagePreview=1" style="float:right" /><br />I-PASS</h3><p>Customers who use I-PASS or EZ-Pass pay a lower toll rate in exchange for using a transponder and applying money to their account in advance of their tolls. Over 90% of transactions are done via this method, and customers get a 50% discount on their tolls. <br />Customers looking for the most seamless experience can stop by their local Jewel-Osco to enroll today. Click <a href="/about-ipass">here</a> to learn more.</p><p> </p><h3> </h3><h3>CHECK OR MONEY ORDER</h3><p>The Illinois Tollway will take a check or money order in instances where customers are unable to pay online. Click <a href="/about-ipass">here</a> to learn more. </p><h3> </h3><p> </p><h3>LOOKING FOR VIOLATION RELIEF?</h3><p>The Illinois Tollway has extended a violation relief program which reduced all existing $20 and $50 violations to $3 for cars. The measure, initially slated to run through December 30th, 2020, was extended through June 30, 2021 providing a full year for customers to take advantage. <br />To date, nearly 23% of all outstanding violation notices have been cleared by customers. For more information click <a href="/Violations">here</a>. <br />All $20 and $50 violations have been reduced to $3 until June 30th, 2021</p><h3> </h3><h3>2020 TOLLING REFORM</h3><ul><li><strong>Reduced Fees</strong> - After June 25, 2020 passenger customer have 14 days to pay prior to receiving a mailed invoice, which has been reduced from a $20 violation to an initial $3 fee for each toll for passenger vehicles.</li><li><strong>COVID-19 Relief</strong> - March 9, 2020 – June 25, 2020 customers were invoiced an extra .01 cent for missed tolls only.</li><li><strong>Violation Relief</strong> - Before March 9, 2020 all outstanding $20 and $50 violations were reduced to $3 through June 30, 2021. To date, nearly 23% of all outstanding violation notices have been cleared by customers.</li><li><strong>New Way to Pay</strong> - In June 2020 the Tollway’s new industry-leading Pay By Plate service rolled out allowing customers to go online, enter their plate, date of travel and payment method and let the Tollway take care of the rest.</li></ul>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="agjz" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-02-26]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Cashless Tolling - What Customers Need to Know
Display date: 2021-02-26
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="ndpq" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"2021 Construction Overview-blog_0221.jpg","name":"2021 Construction Overview-blog_0221.jpg","width":"","description":"2021 Construction Overview-blog_0221.jpg","title":"2021 Construction Overview-blog_0221.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"d9f4d6a6-1b80-f81c-ca42-a23c4e3c15a7","fileEntryId":"1071744","resourcePrimKey":"1227794","url":"/documents/883951/989581/2021%20Construction%20Overview-blog_0221.jpg/d9f4d6a6-1b80-f81c-ca42-a23c4e3c15a7?t=1614257988240","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="WtZJrZdg" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="elpd" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[The Illinois Tollway Will Continue to Move Illinois With $1.53 billion Budgeted for the 2021 Construction Season]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="M8dXXjBU" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="iibq" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway has kicked off the 2021 construction season as the 10th year of the Move Illinois capital program begins with some of the biggest and most challenging projects lying ahead.</p><p>The Tollway’s 2021 capital program calls for investing an astounding $1.53 billion in the region’s infrastructure. This includes more than $451 million to continue planning and advance construction for the new I-490 Tollway and new interchanges connecting to the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), Tri-State Tollway (I-294), the Illinois Route 390 Tollway, as well as providing direct access in and out of O’Hare International Airport as part of the Elgin O’Hare Western Access Project.</p><p>Work to reconstruct and widen the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) will continue in 2021 with more than $690 million budgeted to continue design and construction of the roadway, as well as the new BNSF Railway Bridge, the new Mile Long Bridge and to begin work to reconfigure the I-290/I-88 Interchange at I-294.</p><p>In addition, $78 million is allocated in 2021 for ongoing work to complete the final ramps for the I-294/I-57 Interchange. </p><p>The 2021 capital program also provides $312.2 million for systemwide roadway and bridge repairs to keep the existing Tollway system in good repair. Several local projects include replacing the Deerpath Road Bridge over the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88) in Aurora, rebuilding the Stearns School Road Bridge over the Tri-State Tollway (I-94) in Gurnee, and building a new Windsor Road Bridge at I-88 and I-294 in coordination with roadway improvements by the Village of Oak Brook and. </p><p>As construction continues to deliver these significant infrastructure improvements the Tollway’s goals and commitment to the communities and customers it serves continues to strengthen.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="iahc" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-02-25]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
The Illinois Tollway Will Continue to Move Illinois With $1.53 billion Budgeted for the 2021 Construction Season
Display date: 2021-02-25
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="tynk" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"DiversityAdvisoryCouncil-blog_0221.png","name":"DiversityAdvisoryCouncil-blog_0221.png","width":"","description":"DiversityAdvisoryCouncil-blog_0221.png","title":"DiversityAdvisoryCouncil-blog_0221.png","type":"journal","uuid":"3717fe36-342e-626b-dbca-f37d0aefed4d","fileEntryId":"1071925","resourcePrimKey":"1227781","url":"/documents/883951/989581/DiversityAdvisoryCouncil-blog_0221.png/3717fe36-342e-626b-dbca-f37d0aefed4d?t=1614258376927","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="vwalwqyj" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="vfic" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Tollway Diversity Advisory Council Meets Virtually to Talk Tollway Diversity Successes, Future]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="kjvNe1Ic" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="iyuy" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>In February, the Illinois Tollway brought together its Diversity Advisory Council for the first meeting in 2021.</p><p>The meeting, held virtually due to COVID-19 safety precautions, allowed Tollway leadership to discuss its strong and unwavering focus on creating access to economic opportunities for historically disadvantaged companies and individuals and to bring the Council’s membership together in support of these efforts.</p><p>“As Board Chairman, I am proud that Tollway staff and leadership have met the challenges of managing the agency during this global pandemic. We are committed to rise to the call from Gov. JB Pritzker to support our state, recognizing that now it is more important than ever to invest in, create, and support good-paying jobs,” said Tollway Board Chairman Will Evans. </p><p>The Illinois Tollway’s commitment to increasing participation on Tollway contracts for small, minority and veteran-owned firms has continued uninterrupted and is bearing fruit.</p><p>By coming together with industry and responding with continuing critical investments in infrastructure in 2020 the Tollway: </p><p>Awarded more than 25 percent of all construction contracts and more than 62 percent of all professional services contracts to DBE firms.<br />Advertised 45 small business contracts. <br />Launched the new Rolling Owner-Controlled Insurance Program to provide general liability insurance coverage for Tollway small business contracts and remove a critical barrier for small firms.</p><p>“But we’re not taking a victory lap – we’re going to raise the bar higher in 2021. We will do more to find diverse businesses who want to work for the Tollway, create more contracting opportunities and invest in the support programs needed to grow the pool of available firms, and we need you spread the word about these benefits and advantages.”</p><p>Every new exclusive contracting opportunity for small, diverse and veteran-owned businesses is an opportunity to improve the lives of hard-working business owners and workers. </p><p>“We are not here to maintain the status quo or settle for incremental progress. We are looking for lasting, significant changes in how the Tollway approaches participation by small and diverse companies and individuals,” said Director Stephen Davis.</p><p>The Diversity Advisory Council, created to gain outside perspectives and assist the Tollway in building upon its established foundation of inclusion, is composed of representatives from nearly 30 advocacy agencies, each with a long history of assisting small, diverse and veteran-owned businesses, as well as individuals seeking workforce assistance and training.<br />Information about the Council and its work is available in the Diversity section on the Illinois Tollway’s website. </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="okjo" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-02-25]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Tollway Diversity Advisory Council Meets Virtually to Talk Tollway Diversity Successes, Future
Display date: 2021-02-25
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="grtc" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"NewDirector-GomezFuentes-blog_0221.jpg","name":"NewDirector-GomezFuentes-blog_0221.jpg","width":"","description":"NewDirector-GomezFuentes-blog_0221.jpg","title":"NewDirector-GomezFuentes-blog_0221.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"b3a0d75f-43c1-e7f1-a9b8-4299ec196ee4","fileEntryId":"1071976","resourcePrimKey":"1227768","url":"/documents/883951/989581/NewDirector-GomezFuentes-blog_0221.jpg/b3a0d75f-43c1-e7f1-a9b8-4299ec196ee4?t=1614258866722","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="2umAiZL3" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="llrh" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Jacqueline Gomez Fuentes Joins Illinois Tollway Board ]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="5vHahEFC" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="tbmy" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway welcomes Jacqueline Gomez Fuentes as a new director to the Tollway Board. </p><p>Governor JB Pritzker appointed Gomez Fuentes to fill an open seat on the Tollway Board of Directors earlier this month.</p><p>Gomez Fuentes currently serves as the director of supplier and workforce diversity at the Obama Foundation, where she is responsible for the implementation and management of the foundation’s diversity and inclusion programming. </p><p>Previously, she worked as the director of contract compliance for Cook County and vice president of business development and marketing at SUMAC Inc., a multinational consulting firm based in Chicago. </p><p>In 2018, Gomez Fuentes received the Advocacy Award for business diversity and inclusion from the Hispanic American Construction Industry Association.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="khff" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-02-25]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Jacqueline Gomez Fuentes Joins Illinois Tollway Board
Display date: 2021-02-25
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="ybro" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"SteveMednis_HELPTrucks-blog_0221.jpg","name":"SteveMednis_HELPTrucks-blog_0221.jpg","width":"","description":"SteveMednis_HELPTrucks-blog_0221.jpg","title":"SteveMednis_HELPTrucks-blog_0221.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"502f2e86-9aef-cef7-2e81-d305021826ff","fileEntryId":"1072044","resourcePrimKey":"1227755","url":"/documents/883951/989581/SteveMednis_HELPTrucks-blog_0221.jpg/502f2e86-9aef-cef7-2e81-d305021826ff?t=1614259267809","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="Gljp4zpr" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="khpu" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[H.E.L.P. trucks showcased in national safety service patrol forum]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="uYRzHQYy" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="ovcn" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Always ready for duty, the Illinois Tollway’s H.E.L.P. trucks were showcased as part of a February 10 event hosted by SafeHighways.org to highlight the unique features of safety service patrol vehicles from more than half a dozen state transportation agencies. </p><p>“H.E.L.P. trucks are one of the most welcome sights on the Illinois Tollway for our customers,” said Steven Mednis, general manager of traffic and incident management. “It’s one of the most appreciated and important services we provide.”</p><p>When second matters, the Tollway’s fleet of 12 Highway Emergency Lane Patrol trucks respond quickly to provide emergency roadside services for customers and assist in clearing disabled vehicles from the scene of crashes to ensure safe, free-flow traffic on the roadways. Along with motorist aid patrol vehicles, as well as patrols by Illinois State Police District 15, the Tollway operates emergency assistance for customers 24/7/365. </p><p>Last year, H.E.L.P. truck operators assisted more than 17,000 customers, providing such services as changing tires, boosting batteries and dispensing fuel for stranded motorists. </p><p>With assistance from veteran Equipment Operator Laborer Jeffrey Dale, Mednis detailed for an online audience of about 40 transportation professionals from two dozen states what makes the Tollway’s H.E.L.P. trucks stand out. The event was hosted by SafeHighways.org, a national safety organization established by Travelers Marketing to provide a forum for safety service patrol professionals to share best practices.</p><p>Among the features highlighted, Mednis demonstrated the array of amber, white and red emergency lights that improve the visibility of emergency responders on scene. Federal Highway Administration studies show that the addition of red lights create greater awareness of roadway incidents and make it safer for everyone. </p><p>On the back of the H.E.L.P. truck, Mednis pointed out the permanently affixed display arrow board and the full message board that can be customized by the truck operator to communicate safety messages directly to motorists ahead of an incident. He also talked about how tools and supplies are kept in storage bins on both sides of the trucks to limit the operator’s exposure to live traffic and the extensive training operators go through to prepare them for a wide variety of situations. </p><p>Mednis also explained the importance of H.E.L.P. trucks to keeping the roadways safe. H.E.L.P. trucks are crucial to preventing secondary crashes, which are oftentimes more severe than the initial crash. Through a combination of training, equipment and effective incident management, the Tollway has successfully reduced secondary crashes to 2 percent of all crashes on its system, compared to the national average of 8 percent. </p><p>“That is the main focus of our drivers,” said Mednis. “Get on scene, assess the situation and clear those vehicles out of the lane.” </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="sbyb" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-02-25]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
H.E.L.P. trucks showcased in national safety service patrol forum
Display date: 2021-02-25
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="loyl" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"SnowAndIce-blog_0221.jpg","name":"SnowAndIce-blog_0221.jpg","width":"","description":"SnowAndIce-blog_0221.jpg","title":"SnowAndIce-blog_0221.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"916e1994-021c-ff62-859e-f8fe03f12d0a","fileEntryId":"1072840","resourcePrimKey":"1227742","url":"/documents/883951/989581/SnowAndIce-blog_0221.jpg/916e1994-021c-ff62-859e-f8fe03f12d0a?t=1614282561165","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="VruvlDb1" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="uxcf" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Tollway Crews Going the Extra Mile to Keep Roads Clear of Snow and Ice]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="NxaL8sgh" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="ejfv" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Keeping a 294-mile network of high-speed highways clear of snow and ice during a ferocious winter takes tons of work, not to mention more than 77,000 tons of snow-melting road salt.</p><p>That’s how much Tollway crews have spread on our roads so far this winter to keep traffic moving during a string of storms that began in the last days of 2020 and continued into February.</p><p>That’s a lot of salt--the Tollway typically uses about 56,000 tons during an entire winter—and spreading that much salt takes a lot of work. With a Tollway snowplow carrying between 6 and 9 tons of salt, our plow drivers collectively have made nearly 8,000 runs this winter to clear the snow and ice off the pavement so drivers can safely reach their destinations.</p><p>And it wasn’t just salt—road crews this winter also have dispensed more than 29,000 gallons of liquid calcium chloride and another 11,000 gallons of brine, which helps remove ice and snow from pavement when temperatures plummet and salt becomes less effective.</p><p>“Since the beginning of the year, we’ve faced difficult weather conditions with frequent storms and intense cold, but we’re proud that our roadway maintenance workers have met the challenge by keeping our roads open and our customers safe,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “We’re committed to providing the materials, equipment and staffing needed to keep our system operating even during the severe storms and frigid weather we’ve seen this winter.”</p><p>The season started slowly, with little snow through December. The first major storm that required a full callout of Tollway crews and plows didn’t strike until December 29.</p><p>But since then, storms have rolled through regularly, with more than 38 inches of snow falling at O’Hare International Airport in a four-week span between mid-January and mid-February. That’s more snowfall than typically occurs during an entire winter.</p><p>Tollway crews have responded with plows and heavy-duty doses of road salt.</p><p>During an intense weekend storm in late January that dumped a foot or more of snow on northern Illinois, plow crews worked around the clock for two days and spread more than 9,000 tons of salt to keep roads passable.</p><p>Then a wave of subzero temperatures and dangerous windchills only made it more difficult to keep the pavement clear and traffic moving.</p><p>Tollway crews were ready.</p><p>They added a mix of abrasives, including sand, to the salt they were spreading to help break up icy spots and frozen patches of snow that otherwise could make create hazardous conditions for drivers. </p><p>“That helps prevent snow and ice from packing down on the roads and it makes it easier to plow everything off,” said Darrion Robinson, deputy chief of maintenance and traffic. </p><p>Crews also stepped up their use of liquid calcium chloride and brine, mixing those solutions in with salt before it’s dispersed to help it better stick to the pavement and to work more effectively even in colder temps.</p><p>Pre-treating key portions of the system, particularly bridge and ramps, with salt or salt-and-brine solutions before storms also has helped keep roads clear.</p><p>Those steps—and a lot of hard work by roadway crews—have resulted in excellent traveling conditions on the Tollway’s five roads throughout the winter, despite the frequent storms and severe cold.</p><p>The Tollway has been restocking its supplies of de-icing materials, including ordering another 42,000 tons of salt, to ensure the roads remain safe and clear.</p><p>“We’re ready for whatever happens next,” Robinson said.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="sugv" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-02-25]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Tollway Crews Going the Extra Mile to Keep Roads Clear of Snow and Ice
Display date: 2021-02-25
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<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="ifbj" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"ACEC_IL-blog_0221.jpg","name":"ACEC_IL-blog_0221.jpg","width":"","description":"ACEC_IL-blog_0221.jpg","title":"ACEC_IL-blog_0221.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"37d83a32-41d9-3a25-e1a4-5854b410348b","fileEntryId":"1072915","resourcePrimKey":"1227729","url":"/documents/883951/989581/ACEC_IL-blog_0221.jpg/37d83a32-41d9-3a25-e1a4-5854b410348b?t=1614285621422","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="H0VUqJ4z" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="hhzn" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez joins ACEC Illinois for Tollway Update]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="3EGEIRwA" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="ijuz" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez provided an update on agency initiatives to an online gathering of nearly 120 engineers at the American Council of Engineering Companies of Illinois monthly luncheon. <br /> <br />The February 9 event featured Alvarez highlighting Tollway accomplishments in 2020 and providing a look-ahead to major work taking place in 2021. He also informed them of upcoming contract opportunities for professional engineering services firms on major projects such as the I-490 Tollway, Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) and I-294/I-57 Interchange, as well as across the Tollway system. <br /> <br />Following the presentation, Alvarez fielded questions from ACEC IL President Kevin Artl, a former chief operating officer at the Tollway. Several questions focused on how the Tollway and ACEC Illinois could continue working together to advance the mutual interests of the statewide transportation industry. <br /> <br />While thanking the engineering community for doing its part to increase diversity in the Tollway’s capital program, Alvarez encouraged them to find additional ways to increase diversity across the industry. <br /> <br />“[T]his industry has overwhelmingly responded to this moment in time and to the Governor’s challenge that our workforce – our collective workforce – better reflect the communities we serve and the rich diversity of this great state,” Alvarez said. <br /> <br />“Our agency has taken that challenge to heart and has worked tirelessly at finding ways to lift small, disadvantaged, minority, women and veteran-owned businesses and give them an opportunity to compete, with the ultimate goal of building capacity and opportunities for growth.”<br /> <br />Alvarez let the luncheon group know that the Tollway has been steadfast in delivering on its promises. Despite the ongoing challenges of doing business during a worldwide pandemic, the Illinois Tollway remains on track to achieve its goals – moving forward with construction of the I-490 Tollway and I-294 projects. This year, the Tollway expects to invest $1.53 billion in its regional infrastructure as part of the 10th year of the Move Illinois capital program. <br /> <br />The agency is also continuing to offer financial relief to customers through its TOLLING 2020 comprehensive relief package. Customers with outstanding violations can have existing fines of $20 and $50 reduced to $3 per toll violation, providing much-needed relief at a time when customers need it most. The violation relief offer has been extended through the end of June this year. The Tollway also introduced Pay by Plate as a new way for customers to pay their tolls. </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="vbog" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-02-25]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez joins ACEC Illinois for Tollway Update
Display date: 2021-02-25
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<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="vctv" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"1071740","groupId":"20184","name":"51896","alt":"2021 Construction Overview-blog_0221.jpg","title":"2021 Construction Overview-blog_0221.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"d9f4d6a6-1b80-f81c-ca42-a23c4e3c15a7","fileEntryId":"1071744","resourcePrimKey":"1141994"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="mGYTsoCU" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="lutr" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[The Illinois Tollway Will Continue to Move Illinois With $1.53 billion Budgeted for the 2021 Construction Season]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="gEA6m1Wx" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="ozes" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway has kicked off the 2021 construction season as the 10th year of the Move Illinois capital program begins with some of the biggest and most challenging projects lying ahead.</p><p>The Tollway’s 2021 capital program calls for investing an astounding $1.53 billion in the region’s infrastructure. This includes more than $451 million to continue planning and advance construction for the new I-490 Tollway and new interchanges connecting to the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), Tri-State Tollway (I-294), the Illinois Route 390 Tollway, as well as providing direct access in and out of O’Hare International Airport as part of the Elgin O’Hare Western Access Project.</p><p>Work to reconstruct and widen the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) will continue in 2021 with more than $690 million budgeted to continue design and construction of the roadway, as well as the new BNSF Railway Bridge, the new Mile Long Bridge and to begin work to reconfigure the I-290/I-88 Interchange at I-294.</p><p>In addition, $78 million is allocated in 2021 for ongoing work to complete the final ramps for the I-294/I-57 Interchange. </p><p>The 2021 capital program also provides $312.2 million for systemwide roadway and bridge repairs to keep the existing Tollway system in good repair. Several local projects include replacing the Deerpath Road Bridge over the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88) in Aurora, rebuilding the Stearns School Road Bridge over the Tri-State Tollway (I-94) in Gurnee, and building a new Windsor Road Bridge at I-88 and I-294 in coordination with roadway improvements by the Village of Oak Brook and. </p><p>As construction continues to deliver these significant infrastructure improvements the Tollway’s goals and commitment to the communities and customers it serves continues to strengthen.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="pfrt" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-02-25]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
The Illinois Tollway Will Continue to Move Illinois With $1.53 billion Budgeted for the 2021 Construction Season
Display date: 2021-02-25
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="gckj" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"1071921","groupId":"20184","name":"51901","alt":"DiversityAdvisoryCouncil-blog_0221.png","title":"DiversityAdvisoryCouncil-blog_0221.png","type":"journal","uuid":"3717fe36-342e-626b-dbca-f37d0aefed4d","fileEntryId":"1071925","resourcePrimKey":"1141981"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="hzsL8xaL" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="oosg" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Tollway Diversity Advisory Council Meets Virtually to Talk Tollway Diversity Successes, Future]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="HDskUXey" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="qrqp" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>In February, the Illinois Tollway brought together its Diversity Advisory Council for the first meeting in 2021.</p><p>The meeting, held virtually due to COVID-19 safety precautions, allowed Tollway leadership to discuss its strong and unwavering focus on creating access to economic opportunities for historically disadvantaged companies and individuals and to bring the Council’s membership together in support of these efforts.</p><p>“As Board Chairman, I am proud that Tollway staff and leadership have met the challenges of managing the agency during this global pandemic. We are committed to rise to the call from Gov. JB Pritzker to support our state, recognizing that now it is more important than ever to invest in, create, and support good-paying jobs,” said Tollway Board Chairman Will Evans. </p><p>The Illinois Tollway’s commitment to increasing participation on Tollway contracts for small, minority and veteran-owned firms has continued uninterrupted and is bearing fruit.</p><p>By coming together with industry and responding with continuing critical investments in infrastructure in 2020 the Tollway: </p><p>Awarded more than 25 percent of all construction contracts and more than 62 percent of all professional services contracts to DBE firms.<br />Advertised 45 small business contracts. <br />Launched the new Rolling Owner-Controlled Insurance Program to provide general liability insurance coverage for Tollway small business contracts and remove a critical barrier for small firms.</p><p>“But we’re not taking a victory lap – we’re going to raise the bar higher in 2021. We will do more to find diverse businesses who want to work for the Tollway, create more contracting opportunities and invest in the support programs needed to grow the pool of available firms, and we need you spread the word about these benefits and advantages.”</p><p>Every new exclusive contracting opportunity for small, diverse and veteran-owned businesses is an opportunity to improve the lives of hard-working business owners and workers. </p><p>“We are not here to maintain the status quo or settle for incremental progress. We are looking for lasting, significant changes in how the Tollway approaches participation by small and diverse companies and individuals,” said Director Stephen Davis.</p><p>The Diversity Advisory Council, created to gain outside perspectives and assist the Tollway in building upon its established foundation of inclusion, is composed of representatives from nearly 30 advocacy agencies, each with a long history of assisting small, diverse and veteran-owned businesses, as well as individuals seeking workforce assistance and training.<br />Information about the Council and its work is available in the Diversity section on the Illinois Tollway’s website. </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="aquy" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-02-25]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Tollway Diversity Advisory Council Meets Virtually to Talk Tollway Diversity Successes, Future
Display date: 2021-02-25
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="ztbq" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"1071972","groupId":"20184","name":"51905","alt":"NewDirector-GomezFuentes-blog_0221.jpg","title":"NewDirector-GomezFuentes-blog_0221.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"b3a0d75f-43c1-e7f1-a9b8-4299ec196ee4","fileEntryId":"1071976","resourcePrimKey":"1141968"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="KdANhLnK" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="vyve" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Jacqueline Gomez Fuentes Joins Illinois Tollway Board ]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="nJ0NZdtH" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="fzmk" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway welcomes Jacqueline Gomez Fuentes as a new director to the Tollway Board. </p><p>Governor JB Pritzker appointed Gomez Fuentes to fill an open seat on the Tollway Board of Directors earlier this month.</p><p>Gomez Fuentes currently serves as the director of supplier and workforce diversity at the Obama Foundation, where she is responsible for the implementation and management of the foundation’s diversity and inclusion programming. </p><p>Previously, she worked as the director of contract compliance for Cook County and vice president of business development and marketing at SUMAC Inc., a multinational consulting firm based in Chicago. </p><p>In 2018, Gomez Fuentes received the Advocacy Award for business diversity and inclusion from the Hispanic American Construction Industry Association.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="nmye" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-02-25]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Jacqueline Gomez Fuentes Joins Illinois Tollway Board
Display date: 2021-02-25
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="bjjq" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"1072040","groupId":"20184","name":"51909","alt":"SteveMednis_HELPTrucks-blog_0221.jpg","title":"SteveMednis_HELPTrucks-blog_0221.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"502f2e86-9aef-cef7-2e81-d305021826ff","fileEntryId":"1072044","resourcePrimKey":"1141955"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="S6XfIFMT" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="jydn" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[H.E.L.P. trucks showcased in national safety service patrol forum]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="Z4PJZeV6" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="kthx" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Always ready for duty, the Illinois Tollway’s H.E.L.P. trucks were showcased as part of a February 10 event hosted by SafeHighways.org to highlight the unique features of safety service patrol vehicles from more than half a dozen state transportation agencies. </p><p>“H.E.L.P. trucks are one of the most welcome sights on the Illinois Tollway for our customers,” said Steven Mednis, general manager of traffic and incident management. “It’s one of the most appreciated and important services we provide.”</p><p>When second matters, the Tollway’s fleet of 12 Highway Emergency Lane Patrol trucks respond quickly to provide emergency roadside services for customers and assist in clearing disabled vehicles from the scene of crashes to ensure safe, free-flow traffic on the roadways. Along with motorist aid patrol vehicles, as well as patrols by Illinois State Police District 15, the Tollway operates emergency assistance for customers 24/7/365. </p><p>Last year, H.E.L.P. truck operators assisted more than 17,000 customers, providing such services as changing tires, boosting batteries and dispensing fuel for stranded motorists. </p><p>With assistance from veteran Equipment Operator Laborer Jeffrey Dale, Mednis detailed for an online audience of about 40 transportation professionals from two dozen states what makes the Tollway’s H.E.L.P. trucks stand out. The event was hosted by SafeHighways.org, a national safety organization established by Travelers Marketing to provide a forum for safety service patrol professionals to share best practices.</p><p>Among the features highlighted, Mednis demonstrated the array of amber, white and red emergency lights that improve the visibility of emergency responders on scene. Federal Highway Administration studies show that the addition of red lights create greater awareness of roadway incidents and make it safer for everyone. </p><p>On the back of the H.E.L.P. truck, Mednis pointed out the permanently affixed display arrow board and the full message board that can be customized by the truck operator to communicate safety messages directly to motorists ahead of an incident. He also talked about how tools and supplies are kept in storage bins on both sides of the trucks to limit the operator’s exposure to live traffic and the extensive training operators go through to prepare them for a wide variety of situations. </p><p>Mednis also explained the importance of H.E.L.P. trucks to keeping the roadways safe. H.E.L.P. trucks are crucial to preventing secondary crashes, which are oftentimes more severe than the initial crash. Through a combination of training, equipment and effective incident management, the Tollway has successfully reduced secondary crashes to 2 percent of all crashes on its system, compared to the national average of 8 percent. </p><p>“That is the main focus of our drivers,” said Mednis. “Get on scene, assess the situation and clear those vehicles out of the lane.” </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="xuxh" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-02-25]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
H.E.L.P. trucks showcased in national safety service patrol forum
Display date: 2021-02-25
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="rpjf" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"1072836","groupId":"20184","name":"51938","alt":"SnowAndIce-blog_0221.jpg","title":"SnowAndIce-blog_0221.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"916e1994-021c-ff62-859e-f8fe03f12d0a","fileEntryId":"1072840","resourcePrimKey":"1141942"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="Y9ABfIe2" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="mzih" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Tollway Crews Going the Extra Mile to Keep Roads Clear of Snow and Ice]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="7pslJh0j" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="oxbg" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Keeping a 294-mile network of high-speed highways clear of snow and ice during a ferocious winter takes tons of work, not to mention more than 77,000 tons of snow-melting road salt.</p><p>That’s how much Tollway crews have spread on our roads so far this winter to keep traffic moving during a string of storms that began in the last days of 2020 and continued into February.</p><p>That’s a lot of salt--the Tollway typically uses about 56,000 tons during an entire winter—and spreading that much salt takes a lot of work. With a Tollway snowplow carrying between 6 and 9 tons of salt, our plow drivers collectively have made nearly 8,000 runs this winter to clear the snow and ice off the pavement so drivers can safely reach their destinations.</p><p>And it wasn’t just salt—road crews this winter also have dispensed more than 29,000 gallons of liquid calcium chloride and another 11,000 gallons of brine, which helps remove ice and snow from pavement when temperatures plummet and salt becomes less effective.</p><p>“Since the beginning of the year, we’ve faced difficult weather conditions with frequent storms and intense cold, but we’re proud that our roadway maintenance workers have met the challenge by keeping our roads open and our customers safe,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “We’re committed to providing the materials, equipment and staffing needed to keep our system operating even during the severe storms and frigid weather we’ve seen this winter.”</p><p>The season started slowly, with little snow through December. The first major storm that required a full callout of Tollway crews and plows didn’t strike until December 29.</p><p>But since then, storms have rolled through regularly, with more than 38 inches of snow falling at O’Hare International Airport in a four-week span between mid-January and mid-February. That’s more snowfall than typically occurs during an entire winter.</p><p>Tollway crews have responded with plows and heavy-duty doses of road salt.</p><p>During an intense weekend storm in late January that dumped a foot or more of snow on northern Illinois, plow crews worked around the clock for two days and spread more than 9,000 tons of salt to keep roads passable.</p><p>Then a wave of subzero temperatures and dangerous windchills only made it more difficult to keep the pavement clear and traffic moving.</p><p>Tollway crews were ready.</p><p>They added a mix of abrasives, including sand, to the salt they were spreading to help break up icy spots and frozen patches of snow that otherwise could make create hazardous conditions for drivers. </p><p>“That helps prevent snow and ice from packing down on the roads and it makes it easier to plow everything off,” said Darrion Robinson, deputy chief of maintenance and traffic. </p><p>Crews also stepped up their use of liquid calcium chloride and brine, mixing those solutions in with salt before it’s dispersed to help it better stick to the pavement and to work more effectively even in colder temps.</p><p>Pre-treating key portions of the system, particularly bridge and ramps, with salt or salt-and-brine solutions before storms also has helped keep roads clear.</p><p>Those steps—and a lot of hard work by roadway crews—have resulted in excellent traveling conditions on the Tollway’s five roads throughout the winter, despite the frequent storms and severe cold.</p><p>The Tollway has been restocking its supplies of de-icing materials, including ordering another 42,000 tons of salt, to ensure the roads remain safe and clear.</p><p>“We’re ready for whatever happens next,” Robinson said.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="qsoe" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-02-25]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Tollway Crews Going the Extra Mile to Keep Roads Clear of Snow and Ice
Display date: 2021-02-25
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="qoln" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"1072911","groupId":"20184","name":"51943","alt":"ACEC_IL-blog_0221.jpg","title":"ACEC_IL-blog_0221.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"37d83a32-41d9-3a25-e1a4-5854b410348b","fileEntryId":"1072915","resourcePrimKey":"1141929"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="9tYSNiwT" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="xogu" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez joins ACEC Illinois for Tollway Update]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="293lTyW1" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="qfcu" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez provided an update on agency initiatives to an online gathering of nearly 120 engineers at the American Council of Engineering Companies of Illinois monthly luncheon. <br /> <br />The February 9 event featured Alvarez highlighting Tollway accomplishments in 2020 and providing a look-ahead to major work taking place in 2021. He also informed them of upcoming contract opportunities for professional engineering services firms on major projects such as the I-490 Tollway, Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) and I-294/I-57 Interchange, as well as across the Tollway system. <br /> <br />Following the presentation, Alvarez fielded questions from ACEC IL President Kevin Artl, a former chief operating officer at the Tollway. Several questions focused on how the Tollway and ACEC Illinois could continue working together to advance the mutual interests of the statewide transportation industry. <br /> <br />While thanking the engineering community for doing its part to increase diversity in the Tollway’s capital program, Alvarez encouraged them to find additional ways to increase diversity across the industry. <br /> <br />“[T]his industry has overwhelmingly responded to this moment in time and to the Governor’s challenge that our workforce – our collective workforce – better reflect the communities we serve and the rich diversity of this great state,” Alvarez said. <br /> <br />“Our agency has taken that challenge to heart and has worked tirelessly at finding ways to lift small, disadvantaged, minority, women and veteran-owned businesses and give them an opportunity to compete, with the ultimate goal of building capacity and opportunities for growth.”<br /> <br />Alvarez let the luncheon group know that the Tollway has been steadfast in delivering on its promises. Despite the ongoing challenges of doing business during a worldwide pandemic, the Illinois Tollway remains on track to achieve its goals – moving forward with construction of the I-490 Tollway and I-294 projects. This year, the Tollway expects to invest $1.53 billion in its regional infrastructure as part of the 10th year of the Move Illinois capital program. <br /> <br />The agency is also continuing to offer financial relief to customers through its TOLLING 2020 comprehensive relief package. Customers with outstanding violations can have existing fines of $20 and $50 reduced to $3 per toll violation, providing much-needed relief at a time when customers need it most. The violation relief offer has been extended through the end of June this year. The Tollway also introduced Pay by Plate as a new way for customers to pay their tolls. </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="lhfz" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-02-25]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez joins ACEC Illinois for Tollway Update
Display date: 2021-02-25
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="qctn" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"M1- Alsip Illinois Trucks-blog_0221.jpg","name":"M1- Alsip Illinois Trucks-blog_0221.jpg","width":"","description":"M1- Alsip Illinois Trucks-blog_0221.jpg","title":"M1- Alsip Illinois Trucks-blog_0221.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"c6d1a6fc-0db8-ef8d-4739-a147a99b9a79","fileEntryId":"1067591","resourcePrimKey":"1227807","url":"/documents/883951/989581/M1-%20Alsip%20Illinois%20Trucks-blog_0221.jpg/c6d1a6fc-0db8-ef8d-4739-a147a99b9a79?t=1613080208916","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="jGZGUQIG" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="hsry" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Wins Award for Excellence in Snow and Ice Control from American Public Works Association ]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="MWiRISsg" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="nxhr" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>In recognition of its outstanding work during winter storms to keep customers safe and roads clear, the Illinois Tollway has received the 2021 Excellence in Snow and Ice Control Award from the American Public Works Association.</p><p>The award is presented annually by the APWA to select public works and transportation agencies that demonstrate sustained achievement in clearing snow and ice from their roadways to ensure they continue operating safely during severe winter weather. The Tollway was one of three agencies in North America to receive the award.</p><p>The Tollway prepares for winter weather year-round by servicing its fleet of nearly 200 snowplows, procuring salt and other de-icing materials and refining its operational plans to better respond to a variety of storm conditions.</p><p>“The safety of our more than 1.6 million daily drivers is the Illinois Tollway’s top priority and that’s why we’re ready whenever winter storms strike to provide clear, reliable roads so our customers can safely reach their destinations,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “We’re pleased to accept this award recognizing the exemplary work done by our roadway and operations staff and we pledge to continue working to improve our response to severe winter weather.”</p><p>The Tollway uses snowplows equipped with smart technologies that helps them efficiently clear snow and ice, while also allowing drivers to adjust the amounts of salt and other de-icing materials dispersed to limit their impact on our environment. Using various concentrations of chlorides, brine solutions, beet-heat and aggregates enables the Tollway to address varying winter weather conditions on different segments of the Tollway system to better remove wind-blown or hard-packed snow from roadways.</p><p>During winter storms, the Illinois Tollway has a full complement of more than 200 staff and supervisors working per shift, around the clock, if necessary, to ensure that roadways are kept clear of snow and ice.</p><p>The Tollway also typically deploys plows in advance of storms to pre-treat key portions of its system to slow the buildup of snow and ice on roadways, then continues cleanup operations following storms to remove snow from shoulders and medians to provide the safest possible roadway conditions for drivers.</p><p>“We’re out there working in advance of the storm and we continue with cleanup efforts even after the snow has stopped falling,” Alvarez said. “That’s why our roads operate so safely and efficiently even during extreme conditions.”</p><p>To keep customers informed about snow removal efforts and roadway conditions, the Tollway communicates with customers before, during and after each storm through traditional media outlets such as radio and TV broadcast stations, as well as social media channels and on its website, illinoistollway.com.</p><p>The Tollway also works in close coordination with the Illinois of Transportation, Illinois State Police and local transportation agencies to serve the entire northern Illinois region.</p><p>A network of 12 maintenance facilities—including some new, LEED-certified structures--are located across the Tollway system to better support snow and ice removal operations.</p><p>The Illinois Tollway will be honored for its work on April 20 at a virtual meeting of the APWA North American Snow Conference.</p><p>About the Illinois Tollway</p><p>The Illinois Tollway is a user-fee system that receives no state or federal funds for maintenance and operations. The agency maintains and operates 294 miles of roadways in 12 counties in Northern Illinois, including the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355), the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80) and the Illinois Route 390 Tollway.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="ykbr" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-02-11]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Wins Award for Excellence in Snow and Ice Control from American Public Works Association
Display date: 2021-02-11
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="tujq" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"1067587","groupId":"20184","name":"51824","alt":"M1- Alsip Illinois Trucks-blog_0221.jpg","title":"M1- Alsip Illinois Trucks-blog_0221.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"c6d1a6fc-0db8-ef8d-4739-a147a99b9a79","fileEntryId":"1067591","resourcePrimKey":"1142007"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="RWEsAH3y" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="zfpv" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Wins Award for Excellence in Snow and Ice Control from American Public Works Association ]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="0egpIwqq" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="cyds" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>In recognition of its outstanding work during winter storms to keep customers safe and roads clear, the Illinois Tollway has received the 2021 Excellence in Snow and Ice Control Award from the American Public Works Association.</p><p>The award is presented annually by the APWA to select public works and transportation agencies that demonstrate sustained achievement in clearing snow and ice from their roadways to ensure they continue operating safely during severe winter weather. The Tollway was one of three agencies in North America to receive the award.</p><p>The Tollway prepares for winter weather year-round by servicing its fleet of nearly 200 snowplows, procuring salt and other de-icing materials and refining its operational plans to better respond to a variety of storm conditions.</p><p>“The safety of our more than 1.6 million daily drivers is the Illinois Tollway’s top priority and that’s why we’re ready whenever winter storms strike to provide clear, reliable roads so our customers can safely reach their destinations,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “We’re pleased to accept this award recognizing the exemplary work done by our roadway and operations staff and we pledge to continue working to improve our response to severe winter weather.”</p><p>The Tollway uses snowplows equipped with smart technologies that helps them efficiently clear snow and ice, while also allowing drivers to adjust the amounts of salt and other de-icing materials dispersed to limit their impact on our environment. Using various concentrations of chlorides, brine solutions, beet-heat and aggregates enables the Tollway to address varying winter weather conditions on different segments of the Tollway system to better remove wind-blown or hard-packed snow from roadways.</p><p>During winter storms, the Illinois Tollway has a full complement of more than 200 staff and supervisors working per shift, around the clock, if necessary, to ensure that roadways are kept clear of snow and ice.</p><p>The Tollway also typically deploys plows in advance of storms to pre-treat key portions of its system to slow the buildup of snow and ice on roadways, then continues cleanup operations following storms to remove snow from shoulders and medians to provide the safest possible roadway conditions for drivers.</p><p>“We’re out there working in advance of the storm and we continue with cleanup efforts even after the snow has stopped falling,” Alvarez said. “That’s why our roads operate so safely and efficiently even during extreme conditions.”</p><p>To keep customers informed about snow removal efforts and roadway conditions, the Tollway communicates with customers before, during and after each storm through traditional media outlets such as radio and TV broadcast stations, as well as social media channels and on its website, illinoistollway.com.</p><p>The Tollway also works in close coordination with the Illinois of Transportation, Illinois State Police and local transportation agencies to serve the entire northern Illinois region.</p><p>A network of 12 maintenance facilities—including some new, LEED-certified structures--are located across the Tollway system to better support snow and ice removal operations.</p><p>The Illinois Tollway will be honored for its work on April 20 at a virtual meeting of the APWA North American Snow Conference.</p><p>About the Illinois Tollway</p><p>The Illinois Tollway is a user-fee system that receives no state or federal funds for maintenance and operations. The agency maintains and operates 294 miles of roadways in 12 counties in Northern Illinois, including the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355), the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80) and the Illinois Route 390 Tollway.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="xoct" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-02-11]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Wins Award for Excellence in Snow and Ice Control from American Public Works Association
Display date: 2021-02-11
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="zdpx" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"SnowPlows_9106_0221.jpg","name":"SnowPlows_9106_0221.jpg","width":"","description":"SnowPlows_9106_0221.jpg","title":"SnowPlows_9106_0221.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"68f930b3-f390-1607-e86d-521cceface9e","fileEntryId":"1062442","resourcePrimKey":"1227820","url":"/documents/883951/989581/SnowPlows_9106_0221.jpg/68f930b3-f390-1607-e86d-521cceface9e?t=1612474735804","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="Py3qdV3x" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="vyxh" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Prepared For Winter Storm and Dangerously Cold Temperatures]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="KPJ16wMt" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="qnrd" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway is opening its Snow Operations Center to manage the agency’s response to a winter storm bringing sleet and snow into the region today, and then launching extra road patrols to aid drivers during the dangerously cold temperatures expected to follow on Friday and continue through the weekend.</p><p>The Illinois Tollway is deploying its full fleet of 196 snowplows to clear roads during the storm, which could bring a mix of sleet and snow, possibly affecting drivers during their Thursday evening commutes and overnight travels.</p><p>Following the storm, with sub-zero temperatures and windchills forecast to settle across northern Illinois, the Tollway plans to begin operating around-the-clock Zero Weather Road Patrols to more quickly locate and assist customers who become stranded on the Tollway system.<br /> <br />“We’re prepared for these challenging winter conditions and will take whatever actions are needed to keep our roads clear and our customers safe,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “We’ll have full crews out plowing and spreading salt during the storm and after that work is completed, we’ll shift gears and focus on running additional road patrols to safeguard customers who need assistance during the extreme cold weather expected to continue into next week.”</p><p>The Illinois Tollway typically operates Zero Weather Road Patrols whenever temperatures or sustained wind chills fall below zero degrees to bolster the roadway assistance already provided by Tollway H.E.L.P trucks and the Illinois State Police.</p><p>Drivers who becomes stranded or need aid along the Tollway system should dial *999 for assistance and remain in their vehicle until help arrives.</p><p>The 24-hour Zero Weather Road Patrols search for drivers stranded in disabled vehicles and also respond to calls that come in to *999 motorist assistance, Illinois Tollway dispatch or Illinois State Police District 15.<br /> <br />While the Illinois Tollway’s Highway Emergency Lane Patrol (H.E.L.P.) trucks sponsored by State Farm run from 4 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday, a minimum of 12 Zero Weather Road Patrols provide additional coverage throughout the day and night, including weekends.</p><p>Additionally, Illinois State Police District 15 patrol the Tollway system 24 hours a day, seven days a week.<br /> <br />The Zero Weather Road Patrols consist of crew cab trucks equipped with arrow boards for directing traffic around accidents or stranded vehicles and accommodate passengers if motorists need to be transported to a Tollway maintenance garage, toll plaza or Tollway oasis while service is obtained. As a precaution against the spread of COVID-19, glass partitions have been installed between the front and rear seats in motorist aid trucks and H.E.L.P. trucks to protect customers and Tollway workers operating the vehicles. Those vehicles also carry masks and hand sanitizer as additional precautions against COVID-19.<br /> <br />Cars or trucks with empty fuel tanks, flat tires, batteries needing a boost, or overheated radiators are just some of the most frequent problems reported among drivers needing help. </p><p>The Illinois Tollway reminds motorists the state’s “Move Over Law” requires motorists to change lanes or to slow down and proceed with caution when passing any vehicle on the side of the road with hazard lights activated. Drivers may visit https://www.illinoistollway.com/roadway-safety for more information on Give Them Distance, Drop it and Drive, and other Tollway safety campaigns aimed at making the road safer for everyone. </p><p><strong>Winter Weather Travel Tips</strong><br />The Tollway offers the following travel tips to keep safe during dangerously cold weather:</p><ul><li>Be sure your cell phone is fully charged before heading out. </li><li>Be sure tires are properly inflated during cold weather. Tires lose a pound of pressure for every 10 degrees the temperature drops. </li><li>Keep your gas tank at least half full to avoid gas line freeze-up and ensure that you have extra to account for additional driving time if the weather is unfavorable. </li><li>Keep a cold weather safety kit in your car that includes gloves, boots, blankets, road flares, water and a flashlight with fresh batteries. </li><li>Stranded motorists should turn on their emergency lights and remain in their vehicles until help arrives. </li></ul><p>Cell phone users should call *999 motorist assistance for roadway assistance and note the roadway and direction of travel and nearest milepost or crossroad.<br /> <br /><strong>About the Illinois Tollway</strong><br />The Illinois Tollway is a user-fee system that receives no state or federal funds for maintenance and operations. The agency maintains and operates 294 miles of roadways in 12 counties in Northern Illinois, including the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355), the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80) and the Illinois Route 390 Tollway.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="bdmz" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-02-04]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Prepared For Winter Storm and Dangerously Cold Temperatures
Display date: 2021-02-04
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="emuh" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"1062438","groupId":"20184","name":"51525","alt":"SnowPlows_9106_0221.jpg","title":"SnowPlows_9106_0221.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"68f930b3-f390-1607-e86d-521cceface9e","fileEntryId":"1062442","resourcePrimKey":"1142020"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="8ScNybg2" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="jaiu" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Prepared For Winter Storm and Dangerously Cold Temperatures]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="1xYq5pFK" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="kvxu" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway is opening its Snow Operations Center to manage the agency’s response to a winter storm bringing sleet and snow into the region today, and then launching extra road patrols to aid drivers during the dangerously cold temperatures expected to follow on Friday and continue through the weekend.</p><p>The Illinois Tollway is deploying its full fleet of 196 snowplows to clear roads during the storm, which could bring a mix of sleet and snow, possibly affecting drivers during their Thursday evening commutes and overnight travels.</p><p>Following the storm, with sub-zero temperatures and windchills forecast to settle across northern Illinois, the Tollway plans to begin operating around-the-clock Zero Weather Road Patrols to more quickly locate and assist customers who become stranded on the Tollway system.<br /> <br />“We’re prepared for these challenging winter conditions and will take whatever actions are needed to keep our roads clear and our customers safe,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “We’ll have full crews out plowing and spreading salt during the storm and after that work is completed, we’ll shift gears and focus on running additional road patrols to safeguard customers who need assistance during the extreme cold weather expected to continue into next week.”</p><p>The Illinois Tollway typically operates Zero Weather Road Patrols whenever temperatures or sustained wind chills fall below zero degrees to bolster the roadway assistance already provided by Tollway H.E.L.P trucks and the Illinois State Police.</p><p>Drivers who becomes stranded or need aid along the Tollway system should dial *999 for assistance and remain in their vehicle until help arrives.</p><p>The 24-hour Zero Weather Road Patrols search for drivers stranded in disabled vehicles and also respond to calls that come in to *999 motorist assistance, Illinois Tollway dispatch or Illinois State Police District 15.<br /> <br />While the Illinois Tollway’s Highway Emergency Lane Patrol (H.E.L.P.) trucks sponsored by State Farm run from 4 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday, a minimum of 12 Zero Weather Road Patrols provide additional coverage throughout the day and night, including weekends.</p><p>Additionally, Illinois State Police District 15 patrol the Tollway system 24 hours a day, seven days a week.<br /> <br />The Zero Weather Road Patrols consist of crew cab trucks equipped with arrow boards for directing traffic around accidents or stranded vehicles and accommodate passengers if motorists need to be transported to a Tollway maintenance garage, toll plaza or Tollway oasis while service is obtained. As a precaution against the spread of COVID-19, glass partitions have been installed between the front and rear seats in motorist aid trucks and H.E.L.P. trucks to protect customers and Tollway workers operating the vehicles. Those vehicles also carry masks and hand sanitizer as additional precautions against COVID-19.<br /> <br />Cars or trucks with empty fuel tanks, flat tires, batteries needing a boost, or overheated radiators are just some of the most frequent problems reported among drivers needing help. </p><p>The Illinois Tollway reminds motorists the state’s “Move Over Law” requires motorists to change lanes or to slow down and proceed with caution when passing any vehicle on the side of the road with hazard lights activated. Drivers may visit https://www.illinoistollway.com/roadway-safety for more information on Give Them Distance, Drop it and Drive, and other Tollway safety campaigns aimed at making the road safer for everyone. </p><p><strong>Winter Weather Travel Tips</strong><br />The Tollway offers the following travel tips to keep safe during dangerously cold weather:</p><ul><li>Be sure your cell phone is fully charged before heading out. </li><li>Be sure tires are properly inflated during cold weather. Tires lose a pound of pressure for every 10 degrees the temperature drops. </li><li>Keep your gas tank at least half full to avoid gas line freeze-up and ensure that you have extra to account for additional driving time if the weather is unfavorable. </li><li>Keep a cold weather safety kit in your car that includes gloves, boots, blankets, road flares, water and a flashlight with fresh batteries. </li><li>Stranded motorists should turn on their emergency lights and remain in their vehicles until help arrives. </li></ul><p>Cell phone users should call *999 motorist assistance for roadway assistance and note the roadway and direction of travel and nearest milepost or crossroad.<br /> <br /><strong>About the Illinois Tollway</strong><br />The Illinois Tollway is a user-fee system that receives no state or federal funds for maintenance and operations. The agency maintains and operates 294 miles of roadways in 12 counties in Northern Illinois, including the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355), the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80) and the Illinois Route 390 Tollway.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="jxpg" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-02-04]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Prepared For Winter Storm and Dangerously Cold Temperatures
Display date: 2021-02-04
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="hojo" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Male-female-construct-blog_0121.jpg","name":"Male-female-construct-blog_0121.jpg","width":"","description":"Male-female-construct-blog_0121.jpg","title":"Male-female-construct-blog_0121.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"4ad5ee0f-dcd0-7372-7a0f-f60d1d771169","fileEntryId":"1059046","resourcePrimKey":"1227859","url":"/documents/883951/989581/Male-female-construct-blog_0121.jpg/4ad5ee0f-dcd0-7372-7a0f-f60d1d771169?t=1611864430419","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="kM0Z1Y3d" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="pefr" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Builds Partnerships With Diverse Firms During 2020 Construction Season]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="JsBnt2mq" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="ppnv" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Despite dealing with the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Illinois Tollway in 2020 succeeded in providing diverse firms with greater opportunities to participate in its Move Illinois Capital Program as minority-owned businesses last year won construction contracts worth $348 million, or nearly 26 percent of the $1.34 billion in contracts awarded. </p><p>That’s a jump from 2019, when small, diverse and veteran-owned firms won about 22 percent of the $655 million in construction contracts awarded by the Tollway in the ninth year of its 15-year, $14 billion Move Illinois Program.</p><p>Diverse firms won an even bigger share in 2020 of contracts for professional design and engineering services, with minority-owned businesses winning 62 percent of the $169 million in contracts awarded—nearly double the share of those contracts D/M/WBE firms won in 2019.</p><p>Increasing participation by D/M/WBE firms in Tollway projects not only benefits those businesses, but also increases competition for agency contracts, typically resulting in the Tollway paying lower costs for roadway work.</p><p>“We’re pleased that our efforts to support diverse businesses are resulting in more of these firms winning contracts to work on our Move Illinois program, which helps those business flourish and provides an expanded pool of qualified contractors who are able to bid on future contracts,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “Even with this progress, we know we have more work to do to ensure the businesses and workers delivering these roadway improvements are as diverse as the communities we serve across northern Illinois.”</p><p>The value of contracts won by African American-owned construction firms and Hispanic-owned construction firms soared in 2020 compared to the previous year. </p><p>African American-owned firms won construction contracts valued at $37.6 million, an increase of nearly 150 percent from the $15.2 million in construction contracts awarded to those businesses in 2019.</p><p>Hispanic-owned construction businesses won contracts valued at $158 million in 2020, a nearly 160 percent increase from the $61 million in construction contracts awarded to Hispanic-owned firms in 2019.</p><p>Hispanic-owned and African American owned professional services firms also saw substantial increases in the value of Tollway contracts won in 2020.</p><p>African American-owned design and engineering businesses in 2020 won contracts valued at $38.4 million, nearly double the $19.3 million in contracts they won the previous year, while Hispanic-owned design and engineering firms were awarded contracts valued at $17.7 million in 2020, a 72 percent increase from the $12.8 million in contracts won in 2019.</p><p>Diverse firms are playing a significant role in some ongoing Tollway roadway projects, including the replacement of the Mile Long Bridge on the Tri-State Tollway (I-294).</p><p>The Mile Long Bridge construction contract approved in 2020 by the Tollway Board is the second of two construction contracts for work to remove and rebuild the twin bridge structures carrying northbound and southbound traffic as part of the $4 billion Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Project. </p><p>Approval of the new $182.6 million contract, including $34.7 million going to diverse and veteran-owned firms, funds construction of a new southbound bridge structure and removal of the two existing structures. The initial $184.6 million contract to rebuild the northbound structure was approved by the Tollway in April 2019 and included $33 million for diverse and veteran-owned firms.</p><p>Through 2020, about $8.7 billion has been invested by the Tollway since the Move Illinois Program began in 2012, with more than $2 billion of that total committed to small, diverse and veteran-owned firms.</p><p>To achieve these results, the Tollway has built a strong procurement compliance team to ensure construction contractors and engineering consultants strive to meet Tollway goals for participation by diverse firms.</p><p>The Tollway also is developing a new study that will update our diversity baseline and help the agency achieve its goals of maximizing ongoing and future diversity initiatives.</p><p>The Tollway is committed to continuing its efforts to empower disadvantaged, minority- and women-owned firms, along with small and veteran-owned businesses, to compete for agency contracts and participate in building and improving its roads.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="ubet" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-01-28]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Builds Partnerships With Diverse Firms During 2020 Construction Season
Display date: 2021-01-28
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="smsc" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Orland for mitigation post.png","name":"Orland for mitigation post.png","width":"","description":"Orland for mitigation post.png","title":"Orland for mitigation post.png","type":"journal","uuid":"07dc5f0f-5827-8a6c-d020-501616f28459","fileEntryId":"1059324","resourcePrimKey":"1227846","url":"/documents/883951/989581/Orland%20for%20mitigation%20post.png/07dc5f0f-5827-8a6c-d020-501616f28459?t=1611866512194","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="tiClkFMx" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="bkho" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Mitigation Project Completions Bring Benefits to Local Environmental Resources]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="aFEAzOat" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="fxuq" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has provided final compliance sign-off on two Illinois Tollway wetland mitigation projects, including the Spring Brook No. 1 Creek that runs through the St. James Farm Forest Preserve in DuPage County and the Orland Grassland South suburban Cook County.</p><p>As part of the Illinois Tollway’s efforts to offset the impacts of roadway construction on local and regional natural resources, environmental mitigation has taken place, and continues to take place, throughout the counties served by the Tollway. The goal of wetland mitigation is to restore and improve natural resources that are impacted during construction.</p><p>The wetland restorations and enhancements were completed by the Tollway to mitigate the construction impacts associated with construction of the Illinois Route 390 Tollway and the improvements to the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90).</p><p>Spring Brook No. 1 Creek</p><p>Originally excavated in the early 1900s as a drainage ditch, Spring Brook No. 1 Creek flows south and west from the Wheaton to the West Branch of the DuPage River within the St. James Farm Forest Preserve in Warrenville. The creek was degraded, and a dam downstream prevented fish from migrating upstream.</p><p>The Tollway’s $2 million restoration work at Spring Brook No. 1 Creek in partnership with Forest Preserve District of DuPage County was completed in 2015, followed by maintenance and monitoring. </p><p>The project reconfigured the creek to replicate a more natural, meandering stream, including shoreline improvements and habitat creation including the removal of non-native species, woodland improvements and the addition of a bridge over the creek to connect to adjacent trails. </p><p>The project was part of a broader effort by the Forest Preserve District to restore the creek to free-flowing conditions the approximately 1.5-mile section of creek that runs through the St. James Farm and Blackwell forest preserves and restore the corridor’s wetlands and prairies.</p><p>Orland Grassland South<br />The Illinois Tollway completed a $7.1 million wetland restoration project on the 162-acre Orland Grassland South in 2018 followed by maintenance and monitoring. </p><p>The project, in partnership with the Forest Preserves of Cook County converted the site, which is located between 179th Street and 183rd Street at 104th Avenue in Orland Park, from farmland back into wetlands. </p><p>The Tollway’s restoration work included planting more than 100 species of wildflowers and prairie grasses, controlling invasive plant species, removing farm drainage tiles, as well as restoring a section of a tributary to Marley Creek.</p><p>In addition, the project included construction of a new entrance road, parking lot, and trail system to provide public access.</p><p>The site connects with the adjacent 960-acre Orland Grassland Preserve that serves as an important breeding area for various grassland birds such as bobolinks, dickcissels, eastern meadowlarks and Henslow’s sparrows.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="ydbn" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-01-28]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Mitigation Project Completions Bring Benefits to Local Environmental Resources
Display date: 2021-01-28
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="rezk" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"DrilledShaftTrimming-blog_0121.jpg","name":"DrilledShaftTrimming-blog_0121.jpg","width":"","description":"DrilledShaftTrimming-blog_0121.jpg","title":"DrilledShaftTrimming-blog_0121.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"2dbd9d58-977a-cb54-12f6-b94618abbe89","fileEntryId":"1059173","resourcePrimKey":"1227833","url":"/documents/883951/989581/DrilledShaftTrimming-blog_0121.jpg/2dbd9d58-977a-cb54-12f6-b94618abbe89?t=1611865333706","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="XM0LMl7V" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="iyhp" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2020 Construction Season Marked by Miles of Accomplishments]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="A4RdQoLJ" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="jpgx" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway began wrapping up the 2020 construction season in time to deliver holiday benefits to its customers on the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) and the Edens Spur Tollway (I-94).</p><p>Completion of the new northbound Mile Long Bridge on the Tri-State Tollway (I-294) provided the opportunity for drivers to travel over the Des Plaines River, railroads and canals for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.</p><p>“The northbound bridge contract is the largest in the Illinois Tollway’s history, and we are pleased to deliver this first piece to our customers within budget and on schedule,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José<br />Alvarez.</p><p>Opening the bridge to traffic on November 24, 2020, marked the halfway point in the $500 million projectdelivering two new, wider bridge structures to serve up to 150,000 vehicles daily and a major milestone reconstruction and widening of the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294).</p><p>“The Mile Long Bridge is an extraordinary project, and completion of the new northbound structure stands out due to the hard work and perseverance of the many engineering and construction firms continuing to move forward during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Alvarez. The construction project includes building two, new side-by-side 4,800-foot-long bridge structures designed to last 100 years and increasing capacity to five lanes in each direction.</p><p>The $184.6 million contract to build the new northbound bridge structure began in summer 2019. Work will continue over the winter under a second $182.6 million contract to remove the old northbound structure and construct the new outbound Mile Long Bridge beginning in spring 2021. The entire Mile Long Bridge Project is scheduled to be complete by the end of 2023. In addition, reopening all lanes of traffic on the Edens Spur (I-94) was completed by November 20, 2020, bringing an end to work on the $109.1 million improvement project begun in 2018. Connecting the North Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294) and the Edens Expressway, up to 57,000 vehicles use the Edens Spur daily.</p><p>The project included replacing all the existing mainline asphalt pavement, as well as rebuilding the Pfingsten Road Bridge and repairing the Waukegan Road Bridge over the Edens Spur, constructing the barrier separated median with stormwater improvements and upgrading ITS and roadway lighting. The project also delivered local improvements coordinated with the Villages of Northbrook and Deerfield.</p><p>Overall, the Tollway Board of Directors committed more than $1.5 billion in 2020 approving contacts necessary to complete projects on schedule and continue work on ongoing projects including construction of the new I-490 Tollway and the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Project.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="mmur" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-01-28]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
2020 Construction Season Marked by Miles of Accomplishments
Display date: 2021-01-28
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="zpgf" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"1059042","groupId":"20184","name":"51448","alt":"Male-female-construct-blog_0121.jpg","title":"Male-female-construct-blog_0121.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"4ad5ee0f-dcd0-7372-7a0f-f60d1d771169","fileEntryId":"1059046","resourcePrimKey":"1142059"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="5dTBWUrc" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="qbgp" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Builds Partnerships With Diverse Firms During 2020 Construction Season]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="FTAddR6B" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="hvtb" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Despite dealing with the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Illinois Tollway in 2020 succeeded in providing diverse firms with greater opportunities to participate in its Move Illinois Capital Program as minority-owned businesses last year won construction contracts worth $348 million, or nearly 26 percent of the $1.34 billion in contracts awarded. </p><p>That’s a jump from 2019, when small, diverse and veteran-owned firms won about 22 percent of the $655 million in construction contracts awarded by the Tollway in the ninth year of its 15-year, $14 billion Move Illinois Program.</p><p>Diverse firms won an even bigger share in 2020 of contracts for professional design and engineering services, with minority-owned businesses winning 62 percent of the $169 million in contracts awarded—nearly double the share of those contracts D/M/WBE firms won in 2019.</p><p>Increasing participation by D/M/WBE firms in Tollway projects not only benefits those businesses, but also increases competition for agency contracts, typically resulting in the Tollway paying lower costs for roadway work.</p><p>“We’re pleased that our efforts to support diverse businesses are resulting in more of these firms winning contracts to work on our Move Illinois program, which helps those business flourish and provides an expanded pool of qualified contractors who are able to bid on future contracts,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “Even with this progress, we know we have more work to do to ensure the businesses and workers delivering these roadway improvements are as diverse as the communities we serve across northern Illinois.”</p><p>The value of contracts won by African American-owned construction firms and Hispanic-owned construction firms soared in 2020 compared to the previous year. </p><p>African American-owned firms won construction contracts valued at $37.6 million, an increase of nearly 150 percent from the $15.2 million in construction contracts awarded to those businesses in 2019.</p><p>Hispanic-owned construction businesses won contracts valued at $158 million in 2020, a nearly 160 percent increase from the $61 million in construction contracts awarded to Hispanic-owned firms in 2019.</p><p>Hispanic-owned and African American owned professional services firms also saw substantial increases in the value of Tollway contracts won in 2020.</p><p>African American-owned design and engineering businesses in 2020 won contracts valued at $38.4 million, nearly double the $19.3 million in contracts they won the previous year, while Hispanic-owned design and engineering firms were awarded contracts valued at $17.7 million in 2020, a 72 percent increase from the $12.8 million in contracts won in 2019.</p><p>Diverse firms are playing a significant role in some ongoing Tollway roadway projects, including the replacement of the Mile Long Bridge on the Tri-State Tollway (I-294).</p><p>The Mile Long Bridge construction contract approved in 2020 by the Tollway Board is the second of two construction contracts for work to remove and rebuild the twin bridge structures carrying northbound and southbound traffic as part of the $4 billion Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Project. </p><p>Approval of the new $182.6 million contract, including $34.7 million going to diverse and veteran-owned firms, funds construction of a new southbound bridge structure and removal of the two existing structures. The initial $184.6 million contract to rebuild the northbound structure was approved by the Tollway in April 2019 and included $33 million for diverse and veteran-owned firms.</p><p>Through 2020, about $8.7 billion has been invested by the Tollway since the Move Illinois Program began in 2012, with more than $2 billion of that total committed to small, diverse and veteran-owned firms.</p><p>To achieve these results, the Tollway has built a strong procurement compliance team to ensure construction contractors and engineering consultants strive to meet Tollway goals for participation by diverse firms.</p><p>The Tollway also is developing a new study that will update our diversity baseline and help the agency achieve its goals of maximizing ongoing and future diversity initiatives.</p><p>The Tollway is committed to continuing its efforts to empower disadvantaged, minority- and women-owned firms, along with small and veteran-owned businesses, to compete for agency contracts and participate in building and improving its roads.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="ftgb" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-01-28]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Builds Partnerships With Diverse Firms During 2020 Construction Season
Display date: 2021-01-28
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="ghea" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"1059320","groupId":"20184","name":"51465","alt":"Orland for mitigation post.png","title":"Orland for mitigation post.png","type":"journal","uuid":"07dc5f0f-5827-8a6c-d020-501616f28459","fileEntryId":"1059324","resourcePrimKey":"1142046"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="N1YFlnQ9" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="npza" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Mitigation Project Completions Bring Benefits to Local Environmental Resources]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="bsUzQJmt" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="dqim" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has provided final compliance sign-off on two Illinois Tollway wetland mitigation projects, including the Spring Brook No. 1 Creek that runs through the St. James Farm Forest Preserve in DuPage County and the Orland Grassland South suburban Cook County.</p><p>As part of the Illinois Tollway’s efforts to offset the impacts of roadway construction on local and regional natural resources, environmental mitigation has taken place, and continues to take place, throughout the counties served by the Tollway. The goal of wetland mitigation is to restore and improve natural resources that are impacted during construction.</p><p>The wetland restorations and enhancements were completed by the Tollway to mitigate the construction impacts associated with construction of the Illinois Route 390 Tollway and the improvements to the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90).</p><p>Spring Brook No. 1 Creek</p><p>Originally excavated in the early 1900s as a drainage ditch, Spring Brook No. 1 Creek flows south and west from the Wheaton to the West Branch of the DuPage River within the St. James Farm Forest Preserve in Warrenville. The creek was degraded, and a dam downstream prevented fish from migrating upstream.</p><p>The Tollway’s $2 million restoration work at Spring Brook No. 1 Creek in partnership with Forest Preserve District of DuPage County was completed in 2015, followed by maintenance and monitoring. </p><p>The project reconfigured the creek to replicate a more natural, meandering stream, including shoreline improvements and habitat creation including the removal of non-native species, woodland improvements and the addition of a bridge over the creek to connect to adjacent trails. </p><p>The project was part of a broader effort by the Forest Preserve District to restore the creek to free-flowing conditions the approximately 1.5-mile section of creek that runs through the St. James Farm and Blackwell forest preserves and restore the corridor’s wetlands and prairies.</p><p>Orland Grassland South<br />The Illinois Tollway completed a $7.1 million wetland restoration project on the 162-acre Orland Grassland South in 2018 followed by maintenance and monitoring. </p><p>The project, in partnership with the Forest Preserves of Cook County converted the site, which is located between 179th Street and 183rd Street at 104th Avenue in Orland Park, from farmland back into wetlands. </p><p>The Tollway’s restoration work included planting more than 100 species of wildflowers and prairie grasses, controlling invasive plant species, removing farm drainage tiles, as well as restoring a section of a tributary to Marley Creek.</p><p>In addition, the project included construction of a new entrance road, parking lot, and trail system to provide public access.</p><p>The site connects with the adjacent 960-acre Orland Grassland Preserve that serves as an important breeding area for various grassland birds such as bobolinks, dickcissels, eastern meadowlarks and Henslow’s sparrows.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="xocz" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-01-28]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Mitigation Project Completions Bring Benefits to Local Environmental Resources
Display date: 2021-01-28
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="sbsi" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"1059169","groupId":"20184","name":"51457","alt":"DrilledShaftTrimming-blog_0121.jpg","title":"DrilledShaftTrimming-blog_0121.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"2dbd9d58-977a-cb54-12f6-b94618abbe89","fileEntryId":"1059173","resourcePrimKey":"1142033"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="FV3Auapk" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="immz" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2020 Construction Season Marked by Miles of Accomplishments]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="E48G8K8r" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="jhqn" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway began wrapping up the 2020 construction season in time to deliver holiday benefits to its customers on the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) and the Edens Spur Tollway (I-94).</p><p>Completion of the new northbound Mile Long Bridge on the Tri-State Tollway (I-294) provided the opportunity for drivers to travel over the Des Plaines River, railroads and canals for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.</p><p>“The northbound bridge contract is the largest in the Illinois Tollway’s history, and we are pleased to deliver this first piece to our customers within budget and on schedule,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José<br />Alvarez.</p><p>Opening the bridge to traffic on November 24, 2020, marked the halfway point in the $500 million projectdelivering two new, wider bridge structures to serve up to 150,000 vehicles daily and a major milestone reconstruction and widening of the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294).</p><p>“The Mile Long Bridge is an extraordinary project, and completion of the new northbound structure stands out due to the hard work and perseverance of the many engineering and construction firms continuing to move forward during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Alvarez. The construction project includes building two, new side-by-side 4,800-foot-long bridge structures designed to last 100 years and increasing capacity to five lanes in each direction.</p><p>The $184.6 million contract to build the new northbound bridge structure began in summer 2019. Work will continue over the winter under a second $182.6 million contract to remove the old northbound structure and construct the new outbound Mile Long Bridge beginning in spring 2021. The entire Mile Long Bridge Project is scheduled to be complete by the end of 2023. In addition, reopening all lanes of traffic on the Edens Spur (I-94) was completed by November 20, 2020, bringing an end to work on the $109.1 million improvement project begun in 2018. Connecting the North Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294) and the Edens Expressway, up to 57,000 vehicles use the Edens Spur daily.</p><p>The project included replacing all the existing mainline asphalt pavement, as well as rebuilding the Pfingsten Road Bridge and repairing the Waukegan Road Bridge over the Edens Spur, constructing the barrier separated median with stormwater improvements and upgrading ITS and roadway lighting. The project also delivered local improvements coordinated with the Villages of Northbrook and Deerfield.</p><p>Overall, the Tollway Board of Directors committed more than $1.5 billion in 2020 approving contacts necessary to complete projects on schedule and continue work on ongoing projects including construction of the new I-490 Tollway and the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Project.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="brgm" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-01-28]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
2020 Construction Season Marked by Miles of Accomplishments
Display date: 2021-01-28
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="ykvt" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"tandem plows-night-blog_0121.jpg","name":"tandem plows-night-blog_0121.jpg","width":"","description":"tandem plows-night-blog_0121.jpg","title":"tandem plows-night-blog_0121.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"cae5ea3f-80d5-e673-9e1e-2289b999296a","fileEntryId":"1057244","resourcePrimKey":"1227872","url":"/documents/883951/989581/tandem%20plows-night-blog_0121.jpg/cae5ea3f-80d5-e673-9e1e-2289b999296a?t=1611603108107","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="RlcWn8Qv" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="styf" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Responding to Winter Storm]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="l7Iv19eG" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="pdnj" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway is deploying its full fleet of 196 snowplows and opening its Snow Operations Center to coordinate the agency’s systemwide response to a winter storm moving into the region today and continuing through the night, possibly affecting drivers during their Monday evening and Tuesday morning commutes.</p><p>The Tollway is advising drivers to slow down and allow additional time for their travels as heavy snowfall and high winds at times may reduce visibility and affect pavement conditions.</p><p>“Our crews will be working throughout this storm to keep our roads clear and our customers safe,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “We’re reminding drivers to slow down and be alert for varying roadway conditions as this storm moves through our area. Drivers should steer clear of plows and emergency vehicles so they have the extra room they need to safely do their work.”</p><p>To respond to this weather event, the Illinois Tollway has a full complement of more than 200 staff and supervisors working per shift, around the clock, if necessary, to ensure that roadways are kept clear of snow and ice.</p><p>Drivers whose vehicles become disabled or who need help should remain in their cars, activate their hazard lights and dial *999 from a cellphone for assistance from the Illinois Tollway and Illinois State Police District 15. Drivers will be asked to note the roadway they are using, as well as the direction of travel and nearest milepost or crossroad. For crashes involving property damage only, drivers should report the incident to 630-241-6800 ext. 5042 and continue driving.</p><p>Tollway Travel Tips </p><ul><li>The Tollway also offers the following tips for winter weather events: </li><li>Slow down and leave enough time to reach your destination.</li><li>Do not make sudden lane changes and always use your turn signal.</li><li>Don't follow too closely and increase your intervals between vehicles. </li><li>Reduce speed in cash lanes at toll plazas. </li><li>Remember to always wear your safety belt and ensure children under the age of 8 are securely restrained in child safety seats. </li><li>Drop It and Drive. Don't text or use a hand-held cellphone while driving. Both are illegal. </li><li>More information about safe winter driving is available at illinoistollway.com</li></ul><p>Drivers can receive real-time information on pavement conditions and roadway incidents by signing up for Tollway Trip Tweets at twitter.com from the Tollway’s website at www.illinoistollway.com. Tweeters can follow all five Tollway Trips or just the roadways that interest them. The five are: 94_294_Tollway, @I_90_Tollway, @I_88_Tollway, @I_355_Tollway and @IL_390_Tollway.</p><p>The Illinois Tollway reminds motorists the state’s “Move Over Law” requires motorists to change lanes or to slow down and proceed with caution when passing any vehicle stopped on the side of the road with hazard lights activated. Drivers may visit https://www.illinoistollway.com/roadway-safety for more information on Give Them Distance, Drop it and Drive, and other Tollway safety campaigns aimed at making the road safer for everyone. </p><p>The Illinois Tollway also reminds customers that oases located along the Tollway system serve as warming centers and also provide drivers an opportunity to check their vehicles, fill their gas tanks or simply take a break. On the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80), there are four oases: Lake Forest, O’Hare, Hinsdale and Chicago Southland Lincoln in South Holland. There is an oasis on the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88) in DeKalb and on the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) in Belvidere.</p><p>About the Illinois Tollway<br />The Illinois Tollway is a user-fee system that receives no state or federal funds for maintenance and operations. The agency maintains and operates 294 miles of roadways in 12 counties in Northern Illinois, including the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355), the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80) and the Illinois Route 390 Tollway.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="tcbz" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-01-25]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Responding to Winter Storm
Display date: 2021-01-25
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="nnvy" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"1057240","groupId":"20184","name":"51396","alt":"tandem plows-night-blog_0121.jpg","title":"tandem plows-night-blog_0121.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"cae5ea3f-80d5-e673-9e1e-2289b999296a","fileEntryId":"1057244","resourcePrimKey":"1142072"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="nuoemT1A" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="mhfq" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Responding to Winter Storm]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="vtFWz55m" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="mcro" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway is deploying its full fleet of 196 snowplows and opening its Snow Operations Center to coordinate the agency’s systemwide response to a winter storm moving into the region today and continuing through the night, possibly affecting drivers during their Monday evening and Tuesday morning commutes.</p><p>The Tollway is advising drivers to slow down and allow additional time for their travels as heavy snowfall and high winds at times may reduce visibility and affect pavement conditions.</p><p>“Our crews will be working throughout this storm to keep our roads clear and our customers safe,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “We’re reminding drivers to slow down and be alert for varying roadway conditions as this storm moves through our area. Drivers should steer clear of plows and emergency vehicles so they have the extra room they need to safely do their work.”</p><p>To respond to this weather event, the Illinois Tollway has a full complement of more than 200 staff and supervisors working per shift, around the clock, if necessary, to ensure that roadways are kept clear of snow and ice.</p><p>Drivers whose vehicles become disabled or who need help should remain in their cars, activate their hazard lights and dial *999 from a cellphone for assistance from the Illinois Tollway and Illinois State Police District 15. Drivers will be asked to note the roadway they are using, as well as the direction of travel and nearest milepost or crossroad. For crashes involving property damage only, drivers should report the incident to 630-241-6800 ext. 5042 and continue driving.</p><p>Tollway Travel Tips </p><ul><li>The Tollway also offers the following tips for winter weather events: </li><li>Slow down and leave enough time to reach your destination.</li><li>Do not make sudden lane changes and always use your turn signal.</li><li>Don't follow too closely and increase your intervals between vehicles. </li><li>Reduce speed in cash lanes at toll plazas. </li><li>Remember to always wear your safety belt and ensure children under the age of 8 are securely restrained in child safety seats. </li><li>Drop It and Drive. Don't text or use a hand-held cellphone while driving. Both are illegal. </li><li>More information about safe winter driving is available at illinoistollway.com</li></ul><p>Drivers can receive real-time information on pavement conditions and roadway incidents by signing up for Tollway Trip Tweets at twitter.com from the Tollway’s website at www.illinoistollway.com. Tweeters can follow all five Tollway Trips or just the roadways that interest them. The five are: 94_294_Tollway, @I_90_Tollway, @I_88_Tollway, @I_355_Tollway and @IL_390_Tollway.</p><p>The Illinois Tollway reminds motorists the state’s “Move Over Law” requires motorists to change lanes or to slow down and proceed with caution when passing any vehicle stopped on the side of the road with hazard lights activated. Drivers may visit https://www.illinoistollway.com/roadway-safety for more information on Give Them Distance, Drop it and Drive, and other Tollway safety campaigns aimed at making the road safer for everyone. </p><p>The Illinois Tollway also reminds customers that oases located along the Tollway system serve as warming centers and also provide drivers an opportunity to check their vehicles, fill their gas tanks or simply take a break. On the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80), there are four oases: Lake Forest, O’Hare, Hinsdale and Chicago Southland Lincoln in South Holland. There is an oasis on the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88) in DeKalb and on the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) in Belvidere.</p><p>About the Illinois Tollway<br />The Illinois Tollway is a user-fee system that receives no state or federal funds for maintenance and operations. The agency maintains and operates 294 miles of roadways in 12 counties in Northern Illinois, including the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355), the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80) and the Illinois Route 390 Tollway.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="xixr" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2021-01-25]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Responding to Winter Storm
Display date: 2021-01-25
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="bhvu" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Trucks leaving msite w logo.png","name":"Trucks leaving msite w logo.png","width":"","description":"Trucks leaving msite w logo.png","title":"Trucks leaving msite w logo.png","type":"journal","uuid":"a94e14b4-0ea8-47cd-5c39-f48a2bec9823","fileEntryId":"1043235","resourcePrimKey":"1227885","url":"/documents/883951/989581/Trucks%20leaving%20msite%20w%20logo.png/a94e14b4-0ea8-47cd-5c39-f48a2bec9823?t=1608826823321","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="jEa0CmC2" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="rlhq" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Operating Zero Weather Road Patrols Over Christmas Holiday to Assist Drivers During Dangerous Cold and Windchills]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="m0skfBby" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="fkbb" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway is operating special Zero Weather Road Patrols around the clock over the Christmas holiday to more quickly locate and assist drivers who become stranded on the Tollway system during the cold weather and dangerous wind chills forecast to continue into the weekend.</p>
<p>The Illinois Tollway typically operates Zero Weather Road Patrols whenever temperatures or sustained wind chills fall below zero degrees. The 24-hour patrols search for drivers stranded in disabled vehicles and respond to calls that come in to *999 motorist assistance, Illinois Tollway dispatch or Illinois State Police District 15.</p>
<p>“With these dangerously cold windchills, we are taking additional steps to protect customers who are traveling during the Christmas holiday by putting extra crews on the road to more quickly locate and assist any drivers stranded along our roadways,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “We will do everything we can during these extreme conditions to make sure our customers safely reach their destinations. Any driver who becomes stranded along our roads should dial *999 for assistance and remain in their vehicle until help arrives.”</p>
<p>While the Illinois Tollway’s Highway Emergency Lane Patrol (H.E.L.P.) trucks sponsored by State Farm run from 4 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday, a minimum of 12 Zero Weather Road Patrols provide additional coverage throughout the day and night, including weekends to augment H.E.L.P. trucks and Illinois State Police patrols.</p>
<p>The Zero Weather Road Patrols consist of crew cab trucks equipped with arrow boards for directing traffic around accidents or stranded vehicles and accommodate passengers if motorists need to be transported to a Tollway maintenance garage, toll plaza or Tollway oasis while service is obtained. As a precaution against the spread of COVID-19, glass partitions have been installed between the front and rear seats in motorist aid trucks and H.E.L.P. trucks to protect customers and Tollway workers operating the vehicles. Those vehicles also carry masks and hand sanitizer as additional precautions against COVID-19.</p>
<p>Cars or trucks with empty fuel tanks, flat tires, batteries needing a boost, or overheated radiators are just some of the most frequent problems reported among drivers needing help. </p>
<p>The Illinois Tollway reminds motorists the state’s “Move Over Law” requires motorists to change lanes or to slow down and proceed with caution when passing any vehicle on the side of the road with hazard lights activated. Drivers may visit https://www.illinoistollway.com/roadway-safety for more information on Give Them Distance, Drop it and Drive, and other Tollway safety campaigns aimed at making the road safer for everyone. </p>
<p><strong>Winter Weather Travel Tips</strong></p>
<p>The Tollway offers the following travel tips to keep safe during dangerously cold weather:</p>
<ul>
<li>Be sure your cell phone is fully charged before heading out. </li>
<li>Be sure tires are properly inflated during cold weather. Tires lose a pound of pressure for every 10 degrees the temperature drops. </li>
<li>Keep your gas tank at least half full to avoid gas line freeze-up and ensure that you have extra to account for additional driving time if the weather is unfavorable. </li>
<li>Keep a cold weather safety kit in your car that includes gloves, boots, blankets, road flares, water and a flashlight with fresh batteries. </li>
<li>Stranded motorists should turn on their emergency lights and remain in their vehicles until help arrives. </li>
<li>Cell phone users should call *999 motorist assistance for roadway assistance and note the roadway and direction of travel and nearest milepost or crossroad.</li>
</ul>
<p>The Illinois Tollway also reminds customers that <a href="/travel-information/oases">oases located along the Tollway system</a> serve as warming centers and also provide drivers an opportunity to check their vehicles or simply take a break. All of the oases provide 7-Eleven stores and fuel stations, and most also provide a variety of food and beverage offerings. On the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80), there are four oases: Lake Forest, O’Hare, Hinsdale and Chicago Southland Lincoln in South Holland. There is an oasis on the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88) in DeKalb and on the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) in Belvidere.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="qkhg" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2020-12-24]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Operating Zero Weather Road Patrols Over Christmas Holiday to Assist Drivers During Dangerous Cold and Windchills
Display date: 2020-12-24
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="dhzq" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"1043198","groupId":"20184","name":"51231","alt":"Trucks leaving msite w logo.png","title":"Trucks leaving msite w logo.png","type":"journal","uuid":"a94e14b4-0ea8-47cd-5c39-f48a2bec9823","fileEntryId":"1043235","resourcePrimKey":"1142085"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="YaaEWP4y" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="zxhy" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Operating Zero Weather Road Patrols Over Christmas Holiday to Assist Drivers During Dangerous Cold and Windchills]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="PsWW2lQh" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="mjxj" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway is operating special Zero Weather Road Patrols around the clock over the Christmas holiday to more quickly locate and assist drivers who become stranded on the Tollway system during the cold weather and dangerous wind chills forecast to continue into the weekend.</p>
<p>The Illinois Tollway typically operates Zero Weather Road Patrols whenever temperatures or sustained wind chills fall below zero degrees. The 24-hour patrols search for drivers stranded in disabled vehicles and respond to calls that come in to *999 motorist assistance, Illinois Tollway dispatch or Illinois State Police District 15.</p>
<p>“With these dangerously cold windchills, we are taking additional steps to protect customers who are traveling during the Christmas holiday by putting extra crews on the road to more quickly locate and assist any drivers stranded along our roadways,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “We will do everything we can during these extreme conditions to make sure our customers safely reach their destinations. Any driver who becomes stranded along our roads should dial *999 for assistance and remain in their vehicle until help arrives.”</p>
<p>While the Illinois Tollway’s Highway Emergency Lane Patrol (H.E.L.P.) trucks sponsored by State Farm run from 4 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday, a minimum of 12 Zero Weather Road Patrols provide additional coverage throughout the day and night, including weekends to augment H.E.L.P. trucks and Illinois State Police patrols.</p>
<p>The Zero Weather Road Patrols consist of crew cab trucks equipped with arrow boards for directing traffic around accidents or stranded vehicles and accommodate passengers if motorists need to be transported to a Tollway maintenance garage, toll plaza or Tollway oasis while service is obtained. As a precaution against the spread of COVID-19, glass partitions have been installed between the front and rear seats in motorist aid trucks and H.E.L.P. trucks to protect customers and Tollway workers operating the vehicles. Those vehicles also carry masks and hand sanitizer as additional precautions against COVID-19.</p>
<p>Cars or trucks with empty fuel tanks, flat tires, batteries needing a boost, or overheated radiators are just some of the most frequent problems reported among drivers needing help. </p>
<p>The Illinois Tollway reminds motorists the state’s “Move Over Law” requires motorists to change lanes or to slow down and proceed with caution when passing any vehicle on the side of the road with hazard lights activated. Drivers may visit https://www.illinoistollway.com/roadway-safety for more information on Give Them Distance, Drop it and Drive, and other Tollway safety campaigns aimed at making the road safer for everyone. </p>
<p><strong>Winter Weather Travel Tips</strong></p>
<p>The Tollway offers the following travel tips to keep safe during dangerously cold weather:</p>
<ul>
<li>Be sure your cell phone is fully charged before heading out. </li>
<li>Be sure tires are properly inflated during cold weather. Tires lose a pound of pressure for every 10 degrees the temperature drops. </li>
<li>Keep your gas tank at least half full to avoid gas line freeze-up and ensure that you have extra to account for additional driving time if the weather is unfavorable. </li>
<li>Keep a cold weather safety kit in your car that includes gloves, boots, blankets, road flares, water and a flashlight with fresh batteries. </li>
<li>Stranded motorists should turn on their emergency lights and remain in their vehicles until help arrives. </li>
<li>Cell phone users should call *999 motorist assistance for roadway assistance and note the roadway and direction of travel and nearest milepost or crossroad.</li>
</ul>
<p>The Illinois Tollway also reminds customers that <a href="/travel-information/oases">oases located along the Tollway system</a> serve as warming centers and also provide drivers an opportunity to check their vehicles or simply take a break. All of the oases provide 7-Eleven stores and fuel stations, and most also provide a variety of food and beverage offerings. On the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80), there are four oases: Lake Forest, O’Hare, Hinsdale and Chicago Southland Lincoln in South Holland. There is an oasis on the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88) in DeKalb and on the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) in Belvidere.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="tjlq" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2020-12-24]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Operating Zero Weather Road Patrols Over Christmas Holiday to Assist Drivers During Dangerous Cold and Windchills
Display date: 2020-12-24
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="xcot" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"BrianBamonti-blog_1220.jpg","name":"BrianBamonti-blog_1220.jpg","width":"","description":"BrianBamonti-blog_1220.jpg","title":"BrianBamonti-blog_1220.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"66beca6e-1726-7895-fe79-4400708cfe08","fileEntryId":"1042619","resourcePrimKey":"1227898","url":"/documents/883951/989581/BrianBamonti-blog_1220.jpg/66beca6e-1726-7895-fe79-4400708cfe08?t=1608659607061","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="fikBVQZc" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="uyvb" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Tollway Roadway Worker Is Thankful He Assisted Ailing Driver On Thanksgiving Day]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="MYHJqu6M" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="vkbs" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Illinois Tollway roadway maintenance worker Brian Bamonti had just started his shift on Thanksgiving Day when he stopped to assist a driver pulled over on the shoulder of the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) near South Barrington.</p>
<p>The driver said he had just changed a flat tire and was catching his breath before resuming his trip, but Bamonti, who was conducting motorist aid patrols that afternoon, quickly became concerned about the man’s health. “He was breathing heavy, and coughing,” said Bamonti. “I said, ‘do you need an ambulance?’ He said, ‘I hope not.’”</p>
<p>Bamonti, an Equipment Operator/Laborer based at the M-5 maintenance site in Schaumburg, wasn’t convinced. After conferring briefly with another Tollway worker, Bamonti called for an ambulance and waited with the driver until medical help arrived. It turned out to be the right call: The driver was having a heart attack and received intensive medical attention in the ambulance on the way to the hospital, a family member said later in a social media message, thanking roadway workers for saving his life by promptly providing help.</p>
<p>Bamonti said he’s glad he called for medical assistance, despite the driver’s insistence that he was fine. “I know it can be taxing changing a tire, but after a few minutes he was still breathing heavy. I didn’t want to take any chances,” said Bamonti, who while working at a previous job had been trained as an emergency medical technician.</p>
<p>But it wasn’t the longago training that made him decide to call for medical help, it was something much simpler, Bamonti said. “He just wasn’t looking so good,” Bamonti said of the driver.</p>
<p>That common-sense, no-nonsense attitude is what makes Bamonti so good at his job, his supervisor said. “Brian’s very hard-working, very respectful. He’s a pleasure to work with because he takes his job seriously and wants to do it right,” said Matt Carter, his supervisor at M-5.</p>
<p>And Bamonti has good judgment and good instincts when it comes to working with customers—even the ones who say they don’t need any help. “I tell my guys all the time, ‘trust your gut,’ ” Carter said. “I’m glad he trusted his. He saved a life.”</p>
<p>Bamonti said reacting to unexpected situations is just part of his job, but he’s thankful he made the right call by calling for help. “I’ve had a few different medical issues with drivers, but nothing that drastic,” he said. “I’m just glad he got the help he needed.”</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="uzxq" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2020-12-22]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Tollway Roadway Worker Is Thankful He Assisted Ailing Driver On Thanksgiving Day
Display date: 2020-12-22
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="vehx" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"1042615","groupId":"20184","name":"51217","alt":"BrianBamonti-blog_1220.jpg","title":"BrianBamonti-blog_1220.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"66beca6e-1726-7895-fe79-4400708cfe08","fileEntryId":"1042619","resourcePrimKey":"1142098"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="pN8I88Cm" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="mxfd" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Tollway Roadway Worker Is Thankful He Assisted Ailing Driver On Thanksgiving Day]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="3QMwGlPx" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="vpga" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Illinois Tollway roadway maintenance worker Brian Bamonti had just started his shift on Thanksgiving Day when he stopped to assist a driver pulled over on the shoulder of the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) near South Barrington.</p>
<p>The driver said he had just changed a flat tire and was catching his breath before resuming his trip, but Bamonti, who was conducting motorist aid patrols that afternoon, quickly became concerned about the man’s health. “He was breathing heavy, and coughing,” said Bamonti. “I said, ‘do you need an ambulance?’ He said, ‘I hope not.’”</p>
<p>Bamonti, an Equipment Operator/Laborer based at the M-5 maintenance site in Schaumburg, wasn’t convinced. After conferring briefly with another Tollway worker, Bamonti called for an ambulance and waited with the driver until medical help arrived. It turned out to be the right call: The driver was having a heart attack and received intensive medical attention in the ambulance on the way to the hospital, a family member said later in a social media message, thanking roadway workers for saving his life by promptly providing help.</p>
<p>Bamonti said he’s glad he called for medical assistance, despite the driver’s insistence that he was fine. “I know it can be taxing changing a tire, but after a few minutes he was still breathing heavy. I didn’t want to take any chances,” said Bamonti, who while working at a previous job had been trained as an emergency medical technician.</p>
<p>But it wasn’t the longago training that made him decide to call for medical help, it was something much simpler, Bamonti said. “He just wasn’t looking so good,” Bamonti said of the driver.</p>
<p>That common-sense, no-nonsense attitude is what makes Bamonti so good at his job, his supervisor said. “Brian’s very hard-working, very respectful. He’s a pleasure to work with because he takes his job seriously and wants to do it right,” said Matt Carter, his supervisor at M-5.</p>
<p>And Bamonti has good judgment and good instincts when it comes to working with customers—even the ones who say they don’t need any help. “I tell my guys all the time, ‘trust your gut,’ ” Carter said. “I’m glad he trusted his. He saved a life.”</p>
<p>Bamonti said reacting to unexpected situations is just part of his job, but he’s thankful he made the right call by calling for help. “I’ve had a few different medical issues with drivers, but nothing that drastic,” he said. “I’m just glad he got the help he needed.”</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="umjd" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2020-12-22]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Tollway Roadway Worker Is Thankful He Assisted Ailing Driver On Thanksgiving Day
Display date: 2020-12-22
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="fmka" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Tolling2020-extended-blog_1220.jpg","name":"Tolling2020-extended-blog_1220.jpg","width":"","description":"Tolling2020-extended-blog_1220.jpg","title":"Tolling2020-extended-blog_1220.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"0e72738d-aa53-eb2e-d4ed-b876a6fd66a5","fileEntryId":"1036993","resourcePrimKey":"1227911","url":"/documents/883951/989581/Tolling2020-extended-blog_1220.jpg/0e72738d-aa53-eb2e-d4ed-b876a6fd66a5?t=1608226488567","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="i85LtV0J" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="fppj" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Extends Popular Toll Violation Relief Program Through June 30, 2021]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="xFh0CgN1" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="gchf" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway is extending its popular toll violation relief program through June 30, 2021, providing drivers with an additional six months to take advantage of the TOLLING 2020 reforms that reduced all existing $20 and $50 violation fines to $3 fee per toll. </p>
<p>Drivers already have taken advantage of the relief program to clear nearly 160,000 outstanding violation notices at the reduced $3 rate. </p>
<p>Responding to the strong public response to the existing violation relief program, the Illinois Tollway Board of Directors voted on Thursday, December 17, to continue the program for an additional six months until June 30, 2021. </p>
<p>The program, launched in June as part of the Tollway’s comprehensive TOLLING 2020 reform package, previously had been scheduled to end on December 30.</p>
<p>“We’re giving our customers more time to take advantage of this program to resolve their outstanding unpaid tolls and fines at a dramatically reduced cost that aligns with the new fees instituted as part of our TOLLING 2020 reforms,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “By extending this program, we’re hopeful that anyone who was unable to take advantage of this relief is able to do so in the coming months.”</p>
<p>Under the violation relief program, the Tollway reduced all outstanding $20 and $50 fines on unpaid tolls to $3 per toll. This reduction is available to any drivers previously sent to collections for outstanding toll violations.</p>
<p>In the first 60 days following the launch in June, the Tollway cleared about 65,000 outstanding violation notices--about 7 times the number cleared during a similar time period in a 2009 amnesty program and nearly 6 times as many notices as were resolved during a 2005 amnesty. </p>
<p>Drivers with unpaid toll violations who do not take advantage of the violation relief program will see their outstanding tolls and original fees reinstated after the relief program ends.</p>
<p>The cost reductions offered by the violation relief program bring the cost of outstanding violation notices in line with the new fee structure in TOLLING 2020, which will continue to assess drivers a $3 fee for each unpaid toll on a passenger vehicle.</p>
<p>Previously, a $20 fine was assessed for each unpaid toll if left unpaid. That penalty escalates by another $50 if the notice remained unpaid for an additional 60 days. For example, a single trip with five unpaid tolls could cost a passenger vehicle owner more than $100. That same customer now receives an initial notice with only a $15 invoice fee, in addition to unpaid tolls, and will have 60 days to pay before those fees increase. </p>
<p>Drivers can continue to avoid paying any fees by paying any unpaid toll within 14 days.</p>
<p>Customers looking to pay unpaid tolls and violations or wanting to learn more about TOLLING 2020, including the new notice guidelines, should visit the Illinois Tollway’s website at <a href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/">www.illinoistollway.com</a>.</p>
<p><strong>About the Illinois Tollway</strong><br />
The Illinois Tollway is a user-fee system that receives no state or federal funds for maintenance and operations. The agency maintains and operates 294 miles of roadways in 12 counties in Northern Illinois, including the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355), the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80) and the Illinois Route 390 Tollway.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="iqmo" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2020-12-17]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Extends Popular Toll Violation Relief Program Through June 30, 2021
Display date: 2020-12-17
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="fjzj" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"1036927","groupId":"20184","name":"51068","alt":"Tolling2020-extended-blog_1220.jpg","title":"Tolling2020-extended-blog_1220.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"0e72738d-aa53-eb2e-d4ed-b876a6fd66a5","fileEntryId":"1036993","resourcePrimKey":"1142111"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="X7ZeGlcU" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="qazp" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Extends Popular Toll Violation Relief Program Through June 30, 2021]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="M7er6SOb" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="dtcn" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway is extending its popular toll violation relief program through June 30, 2021, providing drivers with an additional six months to take advantage of the TOLLING 2020 reforms that reduced all existing $20 and $50 violation fines to $3 fee per toll. </p>
<p>Drivers already have taken advantage of the relief program to clear nearly 160,000 outstanding violation notices at the reduced $3 rate. </p>
<p>Responding to the strong public response to the existing violation relief program, the Illinois Tollway Board of Directors voted on Thursday, December 17, to continue the program for an additional six months until June 30, 2021. </p>
<p>The program, launched in June as part of the Tollway’s comprehensive TOLLING 2020 reform package, previously had been scheduled to end on December 30.</p>
<p>“We’re giving our customers more time to take advantage of this program to resolve their outstanding unpaid tolls and fines at a dramatically reduced cost that aligns with the new fees instituted as part of our TOLLING 2020 reforms,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “By extending this program, we’re hopeful that anyone who was unable to take advantage of this relief is able to do so in the coming months.”</p>
<p>Under the violation relief program, the Tollway reduced all outstanding $20 and $50 fines on unpaid tolls to $3 per toll. This reduction is available to any drivers previously sent to collections for outstanding toll violations.</p>
<p>In the first 60 days following the launch in June, the Tollway cleared about 65,000 outstanding violation notices--about 7 times the number cleared during a similar time period in a 2009 amnesty program and nearly 6 times as many notices as were resolved during a 2005 amnesty. </p>
<p>Drivers with unpaid toll violations who do not take advantage of the violation relief program will see their outstanding tolls and original fees reinstated after the relief program ends.</p>
<p>The cost reductions offered by the violation relief program bring the cost of outstanding violation notices in line with the new fee structure in TOLLING 2020, which will continue to assess drivers a $3 fee for each unpaid toll on a passenger vehicle.</p>
<p>Previously, a $20 fine was assessed for each unpaid toll if left unpaid. That penalty escalates by another $50 if the notice remained unpaid for an additional 60 days. For example, a single trip with five unpaid tolls could cost a passenger vehicle owner more than $100. That same customer now receives an initial notice with only a $15 invoice fee, in addition to unpaid tolls, and will have 60 days to pay before those fees increase. </p>
<p>Drivers can continue to avoid paying any fees by paying any unpaid toll within 14 days.</p>
<p>Customers looking to pay unpaid tolls and violations or wanting to learn more about TOLLING 2020, including the new notice guidelines, should visit the Illinois Tollway’s website at <a href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/">www.illinoistollway.com</a>.</p>
<p><strong>About the Illinois Tollway</strong><br />
The Illinois Tollway is a user-fee system that receives no state or federal funds for maintenance and operations. The agency maintains and operates 294 miles of roadways in 12 counties in Northern Illinois, including the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355), the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80) and the Illinois Route 390 Tollway.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="ahix" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2020-12-17]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Extends Popular Toll Violation Relief Program Through June 30, 2021
Display date: 2020-12-17
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="gdgc" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"2021Budget-blog_1220.jpg","name":"2021Budget-blog_1220.jpg","width":"","description":"2021Budget-blog_1220.jpg","title":"2021Budget-blog_1220.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"773b784e-b03a-eb6a-d359-598cc56689a7","fileEntryId":"1039732","resourcePrimKey":"1227924","url":"/documents/883951/989581/2021Budget-blog_1220.jpg/773b784e-b03a-eb6a-d359-598cc56689a7?t=1608315687262","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="kM3qRuj7" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="jxmy" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Approves 2021 Budget]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="L8cD2wpE" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="cuzf" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway Board of Directors today approved a balanced 2021 Budget with $1.42 billion in revenue allocated to fund maintenance and operations, debt service transfers and capital investments for the 294-mile system.</p>
<p>The 2021 Budget will allow the Tollway to commit $1.53 billion in capital spending, including funding for the 10th year of the agency’s 15-year, $14 billion Move Illinois capital program.</p>
<p>“This balanced budget recognizes the economic challenges that are continuing with the COVID-19 pandemic and ensures we are spending our customers’ money wisely to maintain our system and services,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. </p>
<p>“Simultaneously, our spending plan is supporting jobs throughout the region as we maintain top-quality infrastructure, improve service and advance diversity of businesses and workers.”</p>
<p>In 2021 estimated revenues include $1.4 billion from tolls and evasion recovery, $10 million from investment income and $10 million from concessions and miscellaneous revenue. The Tollway also plans to issue $600 million in new bonds in 2021 to provide funding for new and future capital program investments.</p>
<p>The 2021 Budget allocates nearly $1.04 billion for direct funding and debt service on capital investments, as well as $380 million for maintenance and operations – the same as budgeted in 2020.</p>
<p>Funding for annual maintenance and operations activities includes $104 million in Business Systems and Toll Operations to support and tolling and customer service, $35.6 million in State Police for safety services, $103.1 million in Engineering and Facilities and Fleet to support roadway maintenance and traffic operations, as well as $26.8 million in Information Technology.</p>
<p>The Tollway’s 2021 Capital Program calls for investing $1.53 billion with $312.2 million budgeted for systemwide roadway and bridge repairs to keep the existing Tollway system in good repair, as well as along with funding for key projects including:</p>
<p>$451.4 million to continue planning and advance construction for the new I-490 Tollway and new interchanges connecting to the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), Tri-State Tollway (I-294), the Illinois Route 390 Tollway, as well as providing direct access in and out of O’Hare International Airport as part of the Elgin O’Hare Western Access Project</p>
<p>$690.4 million to continue design and reconstruction of the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Project</p>
<p>$78 million for construction at the I-294/I-57 Interchange<br />
The 2021 Budget includes an increase of 11 percent in projected revenue over revised 2020 estimates but is a 7.8 decrease from the 2020 estimates pre-COVID-19. This includes an annual commercial truck toll rate increase previously approved by the Tollway Board in 2008. There is no toll increase planned for passenger vehicles.</p>
<p>The 2021 Budget is posted on the Illinois Tollway website www.illinoistollway.com for public viewing.</p>
<p><strong>About Move Illinois</strong><br />
The Illinois Tollway’s 15-year, $14 billion capital program, Move Illinois: The Illinois Tollway Driving the Future, is improving mobility, relieving congestion, reducing pollution, creating as many as 120,000 jobs and linking economies throughout the region. The first nine years of Move Illinois are on schedule and within budget, delivering the new Illinois Route 390 Tollway and a rebuilt and widened Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) with its new SmartRoad corridor, as well as opening a new interchange connecting the Tri-State Tollway (I-294) to I-57. Progress continues on projects addressing the remaining needs of the existing Tollway system, delivering the new I-490 Tollway Project and reconstruction of the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294).</p>
<p><strong>About the Illinois Tollway</strong><br />
The Illinois Tollway is a user-fee system that receives no state or federal funds for maintenance and operations. The agency maintains and operates 294 miles of roadways in 12 counties in Northern Illinois, including the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355), the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80) and the Illinois Route 390 Tollway.<br />
</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="kvbm" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2020-12-16]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Approves 2021 Budget
Display date: 2020-12-16
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="azex" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"1038533","groupId":"20184","name":"51165","alt":"2021Budget-blog_1220.jpg","title":"2021Budget-blog_1220.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"773b784e-b03a-eb6a-d359-598cc56689a7","fileEntryId":"1039732","resourcePrimKey":"1142124"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="T7SoZGwk" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="dquc" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Approves 2021 Budget]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="YiKHJy7W" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="fsqz" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway Board of Directors today approved a balanced 2021 Budget with $1.42 billion in revenue allocated to fund maintenance and operations, debt service transfers and capital investments for the 294-mile system.</p>
<p>The 2021 Budget will allow the Tollway to commit $1.53 billion in capital spending, including funding for the 10th year of the agency’s 15-year, $14 billion Move Illinois capital program.</p>
<p>“This balanced budget recognizes the economic challenges that are continuing with the COVID-19 pandemic and ensures we are spending our customers’ money wisely to maintain our system and services,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. </p>
<p>“Simultaneously, our spending plan is supporting jobs throughout the region as we maintain top-quality infrastructure, improve service and advance diversity of businesses and workers.”</p>
<p>In 2021 estimated revenues include $1.4 billion from tolls and evasion recovery, $10 million from investment income and $10 million from concessions and miscellaneous revenue. The Tollway also plans to issue $600 million in new bonds in 2021 to provide funding for new and future capital program investments.</p>
<p>The 2021 Budget allocates nearly $1.04 billion for direct funding and debt service on capital investments, as well as $380 million for maintenance and operations – the same as budgeted in 2020.</p>
<p>Funding for annual maintenance and operations activities includes $104 million in Business Systems and Toll Operations to support and tolling and customer service, $35.6 million in State Police for safety services, $103.1 million in Engineering and Facilities and Fleet to support roadway maintenance and traffic operations, as well as $26.8 million in Information Technology.</p>
<p>The Tollway’s 2021 Capital Program calls for investing $1.53 billion with $312.2 million budgeted for systemwide roadway and bridge repairs to keep the existing Tollway system in good repair, as well as along with funding for key projects including:</p>
<p>$451.4 million to continue planning and advance construction for the new I-490 Tollway and new interchanges connecting to the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), Tri-State Tollway (I-294), the Illinois Route 390 Tollway, as well as providing direct access in and out of O’Hare International Airport as part of the Elgin O’Hare Western Access Project</p>
<p>$690.4 million to continue design and reconstruction of the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Project</p>
<p>$78 million for construction at the I-294/I-57 Interchange<br />
The 2021 Budget includes an increase of 11 percent in projected revenue over revised 2020 estimates but is a 7.8 decrease from the 2020 estimates pre-COVID-19. This includes an annual commercial truck toll rate increase previously approved by the Tollway Board in 2008. There is no toll increase planned for passenger vehicles.</p>
<p>The 2021 Budget is posted on the Illinois Tollway website www.illinoistollway.com for public viewing.</p>
<p><strong>About Move Illinois</strong><br />
The Illinois Tollway’s 15-year, $14 billion capital program, Move Illinois: The Illinois Tollway Driving the Future, is improving mobility, relieving congestion, reducing pollution, creating as many as 120,000 jobs and linking economies throughout the region. The first nine years of Move Illinois are on schedule and within budget, delivering the new Illinois Route 390 Tollway and a rebuilt and widened Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) with its new SmartRoad corridor, as well as opening a new interchange connecting the Tri-State Tollway (I-294) to I-57. Progress continues on projects addressing the remaining needs of the existing Tollway system, delivering the new I-490 Tollway Project and reconstruction of the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294).</p>
<p><strong>About the Illinois Tollway</strong><br />
The Illinois Tollway is a user-fee system that receives no state or federal funds for maintenance and operations. The agency maintains and operates 294 miles of roadways in 12 counties in Northern Illinois, including the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355), the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80) and the Illinois Route 390 Tollway.<br />
</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="hnso" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2020-12-16]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Approves 2021 Budget
Display date: 2020-12-16
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="znhs" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"General Hero Image2-Resized.png","name":"General Hero Image2-Resized.png","width":"","description":"General Hero Image2-Resized.png","title":"General Hero Image2-Resized.png","type":"journal","uuid":"d0de0d04-5075-9dd5-2d60-6212c5d41eb5","fileEntryId":"1033160","resourcePrimKey":"1227937","url":"/documents/883951/989581/General%20Hero%20Image2-Resized.png/d0de0d04-5075-9dd5-2d60-6212c5d41eb5?t=1607721218096","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="N3vTHglz" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="hkym" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway issues $500 million in new revenue bonds for Move Illinois Capital Program]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="ums6hudX" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="abha" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway has sold $500 million in Toll Highway Senior Revenue Bonds to help fund the agency’s ongoing Move Illinois Capital Program, with yields for the new bonds representing the lowest borrowing cost achieved for any of the nine bond issues offered by the Tollway since it launched Move Illinois in 2012. <br />
<br />
The bonds were sold with fixed interest rates and maturities ranging from January 1, 2036 through January 1, 2045. The bonds were priced to produce yields to call ranging from 1.49 to 1.87 percent, and yields to maturity ranging from 2.40 to 3.28 percent, reflecting the Tollway’s solid financial position despite the challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic.<br />
<br />
“We’ve worked hard to manage the economic impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak and have been able to continue on schedule with our Move Illinois Program, despite the reductions in traffic and revenues caused by the pandemic,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “We’re pleased with the yields we obtained for this bond sale, which reduce the overall borrowing cost and also indicate the Tollway remains in a strong financial position as it moves forward with Move Illinois.”<br />
<br />
Proceeds from the Series 2020A revenue bonds will partially fund the Illinois Tollway’s 15-year, $14 billion capital program, Move Illinois: The Illinois Tollway Driving the Future, which includes reconstructing and widening 22 miles of the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) and constructing the new, all-electronic I-490 Tollway to connect the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), the Illinois Route 390 Tollway and I-294 while also providing western access to O’Hare International Airport.<br />
<br />
This is the Tollway’s only new-money bond issue occurring in 2020.<br />
<br />
The Tollway expects to issue a total of approximately $5.6 billion in revenue bonds to help fund the Move Illinois Program, of which $3.6 billion have been issued, while the remainder of the cost of the Program is expected to be financed by pay-as-you-go revenues.<br />
<br />
The bonds were sold with fixed interest rates and maturities ranging from January 1, 2036 through January 1, 2045. The bonds were priced to produce a yield to call of 1.83 percent, and yield to maturity of 3.15 percent.<br />
<br />
Fitch Ratings, S&P Global and Moody’s Investors Service have assigned ratings of “AA-”, “AA-” and “A1”, respectively, to the agency’s Series 2020A senior revenue bonds.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="vbjd" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2020-12-11]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway issues $500 million in new revenue bonds for Move Illinois Capital Program
Display date: 2020-12-11
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="fyvq" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"1033057","groupId":"20184","name":"50941","alt":"General Hero Image2-Resized.png","title":"General Hero Image2-Resized.png","type":"journal","uuid":"d0de0d04-5075-9dd5-2d60-6212c5d41eb5","fileEntryId":"1033160","resourcePrimKey":"1142137"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="ebmJ1zhA" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="jctu" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway issues $500 million in new revenue bonds for Move Illinois Capital Program]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="Rrvav1BX" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="lesd" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway has sold $500 million in Toll Highway Senior Revenue Bonds to help fund the agency’s ongoing Move Illinois Capital Program, with yields for the new bonds representing the lowest borrowing cost achieved for any of the nine bond issues offered by the Tollway since it launched Move Illinois in 2012. <br />
<br />
The bonds were sold with fixed interest rates and maturities ranging from January 1, 2036 through January 1, 2045. The bonds were priced to produce yields to call ranging from 1.49 to 1.87 percent, and yields to maturity ranging from 2.40 to 3.28 percent, reflecting the Tollway’s solid financial position despite the challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic.<br />
<br />
“We’ve worked hard to manage the economic impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak and have been able to continue on schedule with our Move Illinois Program, despite the reductions in traffic and revenues caused by the pandemic,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “We’re pleased with the yields we obtained for this bond sale, which reduce the overall borrowing cost and also indicate the Tollway remains in a strong financial position as it moves forward with Move Illinois.”<br />
<br />
Proceeds from the Series 2020A revenue bonds will partially fund the Illinois Tollway’s 15-year, $14 billion capital program, Move Illinois: The Illinois Tollway Driving the Future, which includes reconstructing and widening 22 miles of the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) and constructing the new, all-electronic I-490 Tollway to connect the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), the Illinois Route 390 Tollway and I-294 while also providing western access to O’Hare International Airport.<br />
<br />
This is the Tollway’s only new-money bond issue occurring in 2020.<br />
<br />
The Tollway expects to issue a total of approximately $5.6 billion in revenue bonds to help fund the Move Illinois Program, of which $3.6 billion have been issued, while the remainder of the cost of the Program is expected to be financed by pay-as-you-go revenues.<br />
<br />
The bonds were sold with fixed interest rates and maturities ranging from January 1, 2036 through January 1, 2045. The bonds were priced to produce a yield to call of 1.83 percent, and yield to maturity of 3.15 percent.<br />
<br />
Fitch Ratings, S&P Global and Moody’s Investors Service have assigned ratings of “AA-”, “AA-” and “A1”, respectively, to the agency’s Series 2020A senior revenue bonds.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="hlnf" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2020-12-11]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway issues $500 million in new revenue bonds for Move Illinois Capital Program
Display date: 2020-12-11
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="zjik" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"TIMS-blog_6346_1220.jpg","name":"TIMS-blog_6346_1220.jpg","width":"","description":"TIMS-blog_6346_1220.jpg","title":"TIMS-blog_6346_1220.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"1d4519d0-4f33-619f-ce4c-aa85a113f51e","fileEntryId":"1032744","resourcePrimKey":"1227950","url":"/documents/883951/989581/TIMS-blog_6346_1220.jpg/1d4519d0-4f33-619f-ce4c-aa85a113f51e?t=1607628557480","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="0ZiE79A8" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="mfvq" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Shares Best Practices on Work Zone Safety With Transportation Professionals]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="ZHqWRcZE" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="kihh" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Recently, the National Safety Council called upon the expertise of the Illinois Tollway and its industry-leading traffic management team to contribute to the national discussion on work zone safety. </p>
<p>A 2020 National Safety Council Green Cross for Safety Award finalist for its success in integrating smart work zones on its system for construction and roadway maintenance, the Tollway was invited to join the panel to speak to its proven success in reducing work zone speeding and enhancing safety for workers and drivers. </p>
<p>Steve Mednis, general manager of traffic and incident management, informed an online gathering of about 250 professionals interested in roadway safety about the many ways the Tollway anticipates, communicates and prepares for potential incidents in work zones. He also discussed some of the ways the Tollway uses technology to improve work zone safety through smart technologies. </p>
<p>“For the Illinois Tollway, ensuring that our work zones are safe for customers and workers is a critical part of every project,” Mednis said. “Smart work zones allow us to use a variety of intelligent technologies so we can better monitor roadway conditions and communicate those conditions to drivers.” </p>
<p>The December panel also included roadway safety experts from the American Road and Transportation Builders Association, AECOM and the Laborers Health and Safety Fund of North America. </p>
<p>Throughout its system, the Tollway uses intelligent transportation system technologies including traffic sensors, digital signage and CCTV cameras that are tied in to the agency’s Traffic and Incident Management System software to detect and communicate roadway conditions to motorists. </p>
<p>In a well-defined work zone, these technologies can be customized with pre-selected safety messages that are triggered by real-time conditions, with additional sensors, cameras and portable changeable message signs added as needed. </p>
<p>Mednis detailed during the panel discussion how smart work zones can be used to inform drivers of what’s ahead and how the Tollway keeps the public engaged by providing real-time information to drivers through roadway signage and social media. </p>
<p>Mednis emphasized that the Tollway takes work zone safety into consideration from the start for every project, long before construction work begins. The Tollway takes into consideration the area where construction is taking place, ingress and egress, proximity to interchange ramps and how stage changes will affect drivers. </p>
<p>Additionally, the Tollway holds pre-construction meetings with all involved parties – contractors, first responders, utilities, public agencies and others – to discuss every stage of a project and establish contingency plans to respond quickly should the need arise.</p>
<p>Asked what methods are effective in reducing speeding in work zones, Mednis pointed to enforcement and the presence of Illinois State Police District 15 troopers. The Tollway’s smart work zones can identify specific areas and at what times speeds are excessively high so State Police can step up enforcement in those areas. </p>
<p>“The ultimate goal is to protect the safety of the motoring public and workers in work zones at every stage of every project,” Mednis said. “It’s important to keep our roadways safe so that we can keep traffic flowing smoothly and protect the workers who are building our roadways.” </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="kgip" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2020-12-10]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Shares Best Practices on Work Zone Safety With Transportation Professionals
Display date: 2020-12-10
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="khtz" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"1032659","groupId":"20184","name":"50927","alt":"TIMS-blog_6346_1220.jpg","title":"TIMS-blog_6346_1220.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"1d4519d0-4f33-619f-ce4c-aa85a113f51e","fileEntryId":"1032744","resourcePrimKey":"1142150"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="xQn24xir" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="izzm" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Shares Best Practices on Work Zone Safety With Transportation Professionals]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="1Fp2g1j1" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="nxoi" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Recently, the National Safety Council called upon the expertise of the Illinois Tollway and its industry-leading traffic management team to contribute to the national discussion on work zone safety. </p>
<p>A 2020 National Safety Council Green Cross for Safety Award finalist for its success in integrating smart work zones on its system for construction and roadway maintenance, the Tollway was invited to join the panel to speak to its proven success in reducing work zone speeding and enhancing safety for workers and drivers. </p>
<p>Steve Mednis, general manager of traffic and incident management, informed an online gathering of about 250 professionals interested in roadway safety about the many ways the Tollway anticipates, communicates and prepares for potential incidents in work zones. He also discussed some of the ways the Tollway uses technology to improve work zone safety through smart technologies. </p>
<p>“For the Illinois Tollway, ensuring that our work zones are safe for customers and workers is a critical part of every project,” Mednis said. “Smart work zones allow us to use a variety of intelligent technologies so we can better monitor roadway conditions and communicate those conditions to drivers.” </p>
<p>The December panel also included roadway safety experts from the American Road and Transportation Builders Association, AECOM and the Laborers Health and Safety Fund of North America. </p>
<p>Throughout its system, the Tollway uses intelligent transportation system technologies including traffic sensors, digital signage and CCTV cameras that are tied in to the agency’s Traffic and Incident Management System software to detect and communicate roadway conditions to motorists. </p>
<p>In a well-defined work zone, these technologies can be customized with pre-selected safety messages that are triggered by real-time conditions, with additional sensors, cameras and portable changeable message signs added as needed. </p>
<p>Mednis detailed during the panel discussion how smart work zones can be used to inform drivers of what’s ahead and how the Tollway keeps the public engaged by providing real-time information to drivers through roadway signage and social media. </p>
<p>Mednis emphasized that the Tollway takes work zone safety into consideration from the start for every project, long before construction work begins. The Tollway takes into consideration the area where construction is taking place, ingress and egress, proximity to interchange ramps and how stage changes will affect drivers. </p>
<p>Additionally, the Tollway holds pre-construction meetings with all involved parties – contractors, first responders, utilities, public agencies and others – to discuss every stage of a project and establish contingency plans to respond quickly should the need arise.</p>
<p>Asked what methods are effective in reducing speeding in work zones, Mednis pointed to enforcement and the presence of Illinois State Police District 15 troopers. The Tollway’s smart work zones can identify specific areas and at what times speeds are excessively high so State Police can step up enforcement in those areas. </p>
<p>“The ultimate goal is to protect the safety of the motoring public and workers in work zones at every stage of every project,” Mednis said. “It’s important to keep our roadways safe so that we can keep traffic flowing smoothly and protect the workers who are building our roadways.” </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="fdyv" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2020-12-10]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Shares Best Practices on Work Zone Safety With Transportation Professionals
Display date: 2020-12-10
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="iygp" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Mile-Long-Bridge-Image-blog.jpg","name":"Mile-Long-Bridge-Image-blog.jpg","width":"","description":"Mile-Long-Bridge-Image-blog.jpg","title":"Mile-Long-Bridge-Image-blog.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"0704c7fd-9b0d-9972-7103-0ef455473e28","fileEntryId":"1031682","resourcePrimKey":"1227963","url":"/documents/883951/989581/Mile-Long-Bridge-Image-blog.jpg/0704c7fd-9b0d-9972-7103-0ef455473e28?t=1607446201450","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="RSD5ETw4" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="ifux" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Northbound Mile Long Bridge to Open to Traffic On The Tri-State Tollway (I-294)]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="oTkbYYbV" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="loyl" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway is preparing to open the new northbound Mile Long Bridge to traffic next week, marking the halfway point in the $500 million construction project to deliver the new bridge and a major milestone for the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Project.</p>
<p>"The Mile Long Bridge is an extraordinary project, and completion of the new northbound structure stands out due to the hard work and perseverance of the many engineering and construction firms continuing to move forward during the COVID-19 pandemic," said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. "The northbound bridge contract is the largest in the Illinois Tollway's history, and we are pleased to deliver this first piece to our customers within budget and on schedule."</p>
<p>Construction of the northbound structure started in summer of 2019, and the Tollway will open the new bridge to northbound traffic ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday, with work that impacts traffic beginning as early as the evening of Monday, November 23, weather permitting.</p>
<p>The Mile Long Bridge Project includes replacement of two side-by-side structures – one to carry northbound traffic and the other to carry southbound traffic – to replace the original bridge built in 1958.</p>
<p>The $184.6 million contract to build the new northbound bridge structure began in summer 2019. Work will continue over the winter under a second $182.6 million contract to remove the old northbound structure and construct the new southbound Mile Long Bridge beginning in spring 2021. The entire Mile Long Bridge Project is scheduled to be complete by the end of 2023.</p>
<p>The Mile Long Bridge carries traffic over two major railroads, the Des Plaines River, the Chicago Sanitary & Ship Canal and the Illinois & Michigan Canal and local roads, and over several major distribute on centers. Currently, up to 150,000 vehicles travel across the Mile Long Bridge daily.</p>
<p>The construction project includes building two, new side-by-side 4,800-foot-long bridge structures designed to last 100 years and increasing capacity to five lanes in each direction. The inside shoulders in both directions will be built to serve as Flex Lanes for transit, for emergency vehicles and as an alternate lane when warranted.</p>
<p>Facts about the new northbound Mile Long Bridge:</p>
<ul>
<li>The bridge features 27 spans supported by 26 piers, compared to the existing structure with 53 piers, reducing the impact on waterways, roadway and rail operations below.</li>
<li>The bridge deck is supported by 273 precast concrete beams and 52 steel beams. Steel beams, measure up to 10 feet tall and range in length from 57 feet to 134 feet long were transported from Indiana and concrete beams measure nearly 8 feet tall and are up to 187 feet long, were transported from Wisconsin.</li>
<li>Nearly 16,000 cubic yards of concrete were used for the new bridge – an amount equal to about 1,760 fully-loaded concrete-mixing trucks.</li>
<li>The bridge deck includes 5.2 million pounds of stainless-steel rebar, which is being used on the project because it resists corrosion and helps extend the life of the bridge.</li>
</ul>
<p>Additional construction information about the Mile Long Bridge Project is available in the Projects section on the Tollway’s website at www.illinoistollway.com.</p>
<p>The Illinois Tollway is coordinating work on the Mile Long Bridge Project with the Village of Hodgkins, Village of Countryside, Village of Willow Springs, Village of Justice, Cook County, Forest Preserve District of Cook County, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway, Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife, U.S. Coast Guard, Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), IDNR Office of Water Resources and the Illinois Nature Preserve Commission, as well as numerous businesses located near the Mile Long Bridge.</p>
<p>The project is part of the $4 billion Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Project, scheduled for 2018 through 2025, is rebuilding and improving the Tollway from Balmoral Avenue to 95th Street to provide congestion relief, improve mobility, reconstruct old infrastructure to meet current and future transportation demand and to address regional needs. This work is funded by the Illinois Tollway’s 15-year, $14 billion Move Illinois capital program.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="tymp" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2020-11-20]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Northbound Mile Long Bridge to Open to Traffic On The Tri-State Tollway (I-294)
Display date: 2020-11-20
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="qjty" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"1031612","groupId":"20184","name":"50911","alt":"Mile-Long-Bridge-Image-blog.jpg","title":"Mile-Long-Bridge-Image-blog.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"0704c7fd-9b0d-9972-7103-0ef455473e28","fileEntryId":"1031682","resourcePrimKey":"1142163"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="IY3iUk1q" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="ykvf" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Northbound Mile Long Bridge to Open to Traffic On The Tri-State Tollway (I-294)]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="o2sHHCFl" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="detl" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway is preparing to open the new northbound Mile Long Bridge to traffic next week, marking the halfway point in the $500 million construction project to deliver the new bridge and a major milestone for the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Project.</p>
<p>"The Mile Long Bridge is an extraordinary project, and completion of the new northbound structure stands out due to the hard work and perseverance of the many engineering and construction firms continuing to move forward during the COVID-19 pandemic," said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. "The northbound bridge contract is the largest in the Illinois Tollway's history, and we are pleased to deliver this first piece to our customers within budget and on schedule."</p>
<p>Construction of the northbound structure started in summer of 2019, and the Tollway will open the new bridge to northbound traffic ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday, with work that impacts traffic beginning as early as the evening of Monday, November 23, weather permitting.</p>
<p>The Mile Long Bridge Project includes replacement of two side-by-side structures – one to carry northbound traffic and the other to carry southbound traffic – to replace the original bridge built in 1958.</p>
<p>The $184.6 million contract to build the new northbound bridge structure began in summer 2019. Work will continue over the winter under a second $182.6 million contract to remove the old northbound structure and construct the new southbound Mile Long Bridge beginning in spring 2021. The entire Mile Long Bridge Project is scheduled to be complete by the end of 2023.</p>
<p>The Mile Long Bridge carries traffic over two major railroads, the Des Plaines River, the Chicago Sanitary & Ship Canal and the Illinois & Michigan Canal and local roads, and over several major distribute on centers. Currently, up to 150,000 vehicles travel across the Mile Long Bridge daily.</p>
<p>The construction project includes building two, new side-by-side 4,800-foot-long bridge structures designed to last 100 years and increasing capacity to five lanes in each direction. The inside shoulders in both directions will be built to serve as Flex Lanes for transit, for emergency vehicles and as an alternate lane when warranted.</p>
<p>Facts about the new northbound Mile Long Bridge:</p>
<ul>
<li>The bridge features 27 spans supported by 26 piers, compared to the existing structure with 53 piers, reducing the impact on waterways, roadway and rail operations below.</li>
<li>The bridge deck is supported by 273 precast concrete beams and 52 steel beams. Steel beams, measure up to 10 feet tall and range in length from 57 feet to 134 feet long were transported from Indiana and concrete beams measure nearly 8 feet tall and are up to 187 feet long, were transported from Wisconsin.</li>
<li>Nearly 16,000 cubic yards of concrete were used for the new bridge – an amount equal to about 1,760 fully-loaded concrete-mixing trucks.</li>
<li>The bridge deck includes 5.2 million pounds of stainless-steel rebar, which is being used on the project because it resists corrosion and helps extend the life of the bridge.</li>
</ul>
<p>Additional construction information about the Mile Long Bridge Project is available in the Projects section on the Tollway’s website at www.illinoistollway.com.</p>
<p>The Illinois Tollway is coordinating work on the Mile Long Bridge Project with the Village of Hodgkins, Village of Countryside, Village of Willow Springs, Village of Justice, Cook County, Forest Preserve District of Cook County, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway, Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife, U.S. Coast Guard, Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), IDNR Office of Water Resources and the Illinois Nature Preserve Commission, as well as numerous businesses located near the Mile Long Bridge.</p>
<p>The project is part of the $4 billion Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Project, scheduled for 2018 through 2025, is rebuilding and improving the Tollway from Balmoral Avenue to 95th Street to provide congestion relief, improve mobility, reconstruct old infrastructure to meet current and future transportation demand and to address regional needs. This work is funded by the Illinois Tollway’s 15-year, $14 billion Move Illinois capital program.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="btqk" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2020-11-20]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Northbound Mile Long Bridge to Open to Traffic On The Tri-State Tollway (I-294)
Display date: 2020-11-20
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="lism" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"2021ArtContestWinners-blog_1120-01.png","name":"2021ArtContestWinners-blog_1120-01.png","width":"","description":"2021ArtContestWinners-blog_1120-01.png","title":"2021ArtContestWinners-blog_1120-01.png","type":"journal","uuid":"5a156bb7-b4f3-cb18-6011-1d94fcbddc15","fileEntryId":"1020858","resourcePrimKey":"1227976","url":"/documents/883951/989581/2021ArtContestWinners-blog_1120-01.png/5a156bb7-b4f3-cb18-6011-1d94fcbddc15?t=1605299705610","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="1yNAhzOU" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="ftpc" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Winners Announced for 2021 Illinois Tollway Map Cover Art Contest]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="d4wzRjK5" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="ecci" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway today announced that Samantha Cervantes, a sophomore at Thornton Fractional North High School, Calumet City, is the grand prize winner of the 2021 Illinois Tollway Map Cover Art Contest highlighting “Everyday Heroes” who are making a positive impact on people’s lives through the COVID-19 pandemic. </p>
<p>“Samantha’s winning artwork will serve as a reminder that our world is in good hands with everyday heroes like nurses, firefighters and roadway workers working day and night to keep everyone safe,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “We posted some great artwork from students at schools throughout Northern Illinois and appreciate the talent and creativity of the students and their teachers.”</p>
<p>The annual Tollway Map Cover Art Contest is sponsored by the Tollway, Blick Art Materials and MB Real Estate Services (MBRE). Students selected as runners-up in the contest include:</p>
<ul>
<li>First runner-up – Alison Tykane, a junior at Bolingbrook High School</li>
<li>Second runner-up – Bryanna Ibarra, a junior at Horizon Science Academy McKinley Park, Chicago</li>
</ul>
<p>“I am so honored to be given the chance to be recognized for my artwork and to represent T.F. North High School and Illinois,” said Cervantes. “Creating my art piece took so much time and effort, but every second was worth it. I could not have enjoyed this unforgettable experience without the support of my school, family, friends and especially my art teacher Jessica Basinger."</p>
<p>This year, high school artists were invited to highlight Everyday Heroes – everyday people doing extraordinary things – to be featured on the cover of the Tollway’s 2021 map. Among those are the professionals at the Illinois Tollway who have worked throughout the COVID-19 pandemic to continue serving millions of customers daily traveling the 294-mile Illinois Tollway system across 12 counties in Northern Illinois, while working closely with construction, design and engineering firms to continue our investments in our regional economy. </p>
<p>Students from high schools throughout Northern Illinois submitted artwork in the contest. Due to the pandemic, the entire contest was managed virtually vial the Illinois Tollway’s Official Facebook page, with the grand prize winner and runners-up selected by the number of “Likes” within that gallery. </p>
<p>The annual Tollway Map Cover Art Contest offers young artists the chance to put their talents on display each year by developing artwork for the cover of the annual Tollway map. In addition, the grand prize winner and runners-up will be featured in the Tollway’s annual report. </p>
<p>In addition, the award for the grand-prize winner includes a $400 gift certificate from Blick Art Materials and $200 in gift certificates from MBRE to use at oases retail shops and restaurants. Runners-up will each receive a $200 gift certificate from Blick Art Materials and $100 in gift certificates from MBRE. </p>
<p>"MB Real Estate congratulates the design winners and thanks all those artists that submitted designs for this year’s art contest,” said MBRE Operations Manager Steve Merical. “It's such an encouragement to have high school artists involved in the design process that recognizes everyday heroes that have continued serving others during these challenging times."</p>
<p>“Blick is pleased to continue its support of the Illinois Tollways annual art contest,” said Blick Art Materials Chief Executive Bob Buchsbaum. “There are too few opportunities for visual artists to gain the recognition they deserve, and this contest is a great way to encourage and support the efforts of young artists. We congratulate the winner and all the runners-up and wish them great success as they continue to develop their artistic skills.”</p>
<p>The Illinois Tollway launched the Map Cover Art Contest in 2011 to highlight the work of talented art students from the communities served by the Illinois Tollway. This year, nearly 40 student artists from more than a dozen high schools throughout Northern Illinois submitted artwork in the contest, and nearly 4,700 vote </p>
<p><strong>About Blick Art Materials</strong><br />
Founded in Galesburg, Illinois, in 1911, Blick Art Materials is one of the largest and oldest providers of art supplies in the United States, with 66 retail stores nationwide. Its products cater to the full spectrum of artists – from the youngest child ready to scribble with his or her first crayon to well-known, gallery-represented professionals. The company’s extensive selection, competitive prices and superior customer service make Blick the best choice for art educators, students, artists, architects, designers, hobbyists or anyone requiring quality art materials for work or pleasure. A long-time advocate of art education in the U.S., Blick also provides support of scholastic, collegiate and professional art shows, both financially and through a variety of materials that emphasize the benefits of art education. Blick also supports the communities in which it does business by sponsoring in-store events, local schools, art leagues and community groups across the country. Visit dickblick.com for more information.</p>
<p><strong>About MB Real Estate Services Inc. </strong><br />
Founded in 1982, MB Real Estate is a full-service real estate organization that provides multifaceted expertise in Asset/Facilities Management; Leasing Services; Project/Construction Management; Tenant Representation and Investment Services. Additionally, MBRE Healthcare provides comprehensive real estate solutions for hospitals, health systems and physicians throughout the United States. Headquartered in Chicago, with regional offices in New York, Atlanta, Orlando, Dallas and Denver, MB Real Estate provides these services to corporations, institutions, professional organizations, private investors and non-profit agencies. For more information, please visit mbres.com.</p>
<p><strong>About the Illinois Tollway</strong><br />
The Illinois Tollway is a user-fee system that receives no state or federal funds for maintenance and operations. The agency maintains and operates 294 miles of roadways in 12 counties in Northern Illinois, including the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355), the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80) and the Illinois Route 390 Tollway.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="lgqj" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2020-11-13]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Winners Announced for 2021 Illinois Tollway Map Cover Art Contest
Display date: 2020-11-13
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="huxb" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"1020854","groupId":"20184","name":"50514","alt":"2021ArtContestWinners-blog_1120-01.png","title":"2021ArtContestWinners-blog_1120-01.png","type":"journal","uuid":"5a156bb7-b4f3-cb18-6011-1d94fcbddc15","fileEntryId":"1020858","resourcePrimKey":"1142176"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="728u4ZR3" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="nvzz" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Winners Announced for 2021 Illinois Tollway Map Cover Art Contest]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="PBLApBHX" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="bmis" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway today announced that Samantha Cervantes, a sophomore at Thornton Fractional North High School, Calumet City, is the grand prize winner of the 2021 Illinois Tollway Map Cover Art Contest highlighting “Everyday Heroes” who are making a positive impact on people’s lives through the COVID-19 pandemic. </p>
<p>“Samantha’s winning artwork will serve as a reminder that our world is in good hands with everyday heroes like nurses, firefighters and roadway workers working day and night to keep everyone safe,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “We posted some great artwork from students at schools throughout Northern Illinois and appreciate the talent and creativity of the students and their teachers.”</p>
<p>The annual Tollway Map Cover Art Contest is sponsored by the Tollway, Blick Art Materials and MB Real Estate Services (MBRE). Students selected as runners-up in the contest include:</p>
<ul>
<li>First runner-up – Alison Tykane, a junior at Bolingbrook High School</li>
<li>Second runner-up – Bryanna Ibarra, a junior at Horizon Science Academy McKinley Park, Chicago</li>
</ul>
<p>“I am so honored to be given the chance to be recognized for my artwork and to represent T.F. North High School and Illinois,” said Cervantes. “Creating my art piece took so much time and effort, but every second was worth it. I could not have enjoyed this unforgettable experience without the support of my school, family, friends and especially my art teacher Jessica Basinger."</p>
<p>This year, high school artists were invited to highlight Everyday Heroes – everyday people doing extraordinary things – to be featured on the cover of the Tollway’s 2021 map. Among those are the professionals at the Illinois Tollway who have worked throughout the COVID-19 pandemic to continue serving millions of customers daily traveling the 294-mile Illinois Tollway system across 12 counties in Northern Illinois, while working closely with construction, design and engineering firms to continue our investments in our regional economy. </p>
<p>Students from high schools throughout Northern Illinois submitted artwork in the contest. Due to the pandemic, the entire contest was managed virtually vial the Illinois Tollway’s Official Facebook page, with the grand prize winner and runners-up selected by the number of “Likes” within that gallery. </p>
<p>The annual Tollway Map Cover Art Contest offers young artists the chance to put their talents on display each year by developing artwork for the cover of the annual Tollway map. In addition, the grand prize winner and runners-up will be featured in the Tollway’s annual report. </p>
<p>In addition, the award for the grand-prize winner includes a $400 gift certificate from Blick Art Materials and $200 in gift certificates from MBRE to use at oases retail shops and restaurants. Runners-up will each receive a $200 gift certificate from Blick Art Materials and $100 in gift certificates from MBRE. </p>
<p>"MB Real Estate congratulates the design winners and thanks all those artists that submitted designs for this year’s art contest,” said MBRE Operations Manager Steve Merical. “It's such an encouragement to have high school artists involved in the design process that recognizes everyday heroes that have continued serving others during these challenging times."</p>
<p>“Blick is pleased to continue its support of the Illinois Tollways annual art contest,” said Blick Art Materials Chief Executive Bob Buchsbaum. “There are too few opportunities for visual artists to gain the recognition they deserve, and this contest is a great way to encourage and support the efforts of young artists. We congratulate the winner and all the runners-up and wish them great success as they continue to develop their artistic skills.”</p>
<p>The Illinois Tollway launched the Map Cover Art Contest in 2011 to highlight the work of talented art students from the communities served by the Illinois Tollway. This year, nearly 40 student artists from more than a dozen high schools throughout Northern Illinois submitted artwork in the contest, and nearly 4,700 vote </p>
<p><strong>About Blick Art Materials</strong><br />
Founded in Galesburg, Illinois, in 1911, Blick Art Materials is one of the largest and oldest providers of art supplies in the United States, with 66 retail stores nationwide. Its products cater to the full spectrum of artists – from the youngest child ready to scribble with his or her first crayon to well-known, gallery-represented professionals. The company’s extensive selection, competitive prices and superior customer service make Blick the best choice for art educators, students, artists, architects, designers, hobbyists or anyone requiring quality art materials for work or pleasure. A long-time advocate of art education in the U.S., Blick also provides support of scholastic, collegiate and professional art shows, both financially and through a variety of materials that emphasize the benefits of art education. Blick also supports the communities in which it does business by sponsoring in-store events, local schools, art leagues and community groups across the country. Visit dickblick.com for more information.</p>
<p><strong>About MB Real Estate Services Inc. </strong><br />
Founded in 1982, MB Real Estate is a full-service real estate organization that provides multifaceted expertise in Asset/Facilities Management; Leasing Services; Project/Construction Management; Tenant Representation and Investment Services. Additionally, MBRE Healthcare provides comprehensive real estate solutions for hospitals, health systems and physicians throughout the United States. Headquartered in Chicago, with regional offices in New York, Atlanta, Orlando, Dallas and Denver, MB Real Estate provides these services to corporations, institutions, professional organizations, private investors and non-profit agencies. For more information, please visit mbres.com.</p>
<p><strong>About the Illinois Tollway</strong><br />
The Illinois Tollway is a user-fee system that receives no state or federal funds for maintenance and operations. The agency maintains and operates 294 miles of roadways in 12 counties in Northern Illinois, including the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355), the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80) and the Illinois Route 390 Tollway.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="pubd" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2020-11-13]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Winners Announced for 2021 Illinois Tollway Map Cover Art Contest
Display date: 2020-11-13
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="bplg" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"chicagoland speedway-cropped.jpg","name":"chicagoland speedway-cropped.jpg","width":"","description":"chicagoland speedway-cropped.jpg","title":"chicagoland speedway-cropped.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"7b9ed2ca-c9aa-2e7b-ae04-ea908890c25e","fileEntryId":"1017277","resourcePrimKey":"1227989","url":"/documents/883951/989581/chicagoland%20speedway-cropped.jpg/7b9ed2ca-c9aa-2e7b-ae04-ea908890c25e?t=1604101206095","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="15Rsp37v" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="kxno" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Driver Live Safety Demonstration at the Chicagoland Speedway]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="4TMqtpeM" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="hads" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>To help young drivers learn to stay safely in their cars if they become stranded on a high speed roadway, the Illinois Tollway and Illinois State Police traveled to the Chicagoland Speedway to demonstrate how much ground a fast-moving vehicle covers and how long it takes to stop.<br />
<br />
Video footage shot at the Speedway shows an Illinois State Police SUV approaching at 70 mph—the speed limit on most of the Tollway system—and then abruptly braking, but still traveling for several hundred feet before stopping.<br />
<br />
The footage will be used as part of the “Sit Tight, Stay Safe” drivers education curriculum the Tollway developed in partnership with the Illinois State Police and the Illinois High School and College Driver Education Association (IHSCDEA). It will be distributed to more than 700 classrooms across the state to educate students that in most roadside emergency situations, the safest action is to stay inside their vehicle and call for help. <br />
<br />
“Getting out of your vehicle after a crash or breakdown is dangerous because vehicles approaching at highway speeds cover so much ground so quickly that you have little time to avoid them,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “We’re working with our partners in this program to teach young drivers that the safest place to be on the road until help arrives is inside their vehicle, with their seatbelts and emergency flashers on.“<br />
<br />
The “Sit Tight, Stay Safe” curriculum offers student drivers a simple “ABC” message for roadside emergencies: Activate emergency lights and pull to the side of the road, if possible. Buckle up and remain in your vehicle. Call for help—which can be done on the Illinois Tollway by dialing *999 or 911.<br />
<br />
Car crashes are the number one cause of death for teens age 16 to 19, and half of all teens will be involved in a car crash before graduating from high school, according to the National Safety Council.<br />
<br />
The “Sit Tight, Stay Safe” education module will provide students with information on the best way to prepare for roadside emergencies, provide directions on what to do in the event of an emergency and information on who to call for help.<br />
<br />
By partnering with the IHSCDEA, the Tollway and Illinois State Police can reach a wide audience of young drivers with a vital safety message that will save lives. <br />
</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="brlf" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2020-10-30]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Driver Live Safety Demonstration at the Chicagoland Speedway
Display date: 2020-10-30
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="syfc" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"1017246","groupId":"20184","name":"50430","alt":"chicagoland speedway-cropped.jpg","title":"chicagoland speedway-cropped.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"7b9ed2ca-c9aa-2e7b-ae04-ea908890c25e","fileEntryId":"1017277","resourcePrimKey":"1142189"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="MiHZhOzC" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="cxuf" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Driver Live Safety Demonstration at the Chicagoland Speedway]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="HTqZNAJx" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="idbl" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>To help young drivers learn to stay safely in their cars if they become stranded on a high speed roadway, the Illinois Tollway and Illinois State Police traveled to the Chicagoland Speedway to demonstrate how much ground a fast-moving vehicle covers and how long it takes to stop.<br />
<br />
Video footage shot at the Speedway shows an Illinois State Police SUV approaching at 70 mph—the speed limit on most of the Tollway system—and then abruptly braking, but still traveling for several hundred feet before stopping.<br />
<br />
The footage will be used as part of the “Sit Tight, Stay Safe” drivers education curriculum the Tollway developed in partnership with the Illinois State Police and the Illinois High School and College Driver Education Association (IHSCDEA). It will be distributed to more than 700 classrooms across the state to educate students that in most roadside emergency situations, the safest action is to stay inside their vehicle and call for help. <br />
<br />
“Getting out of your vehicle after a crash or breakdown is dangerous because vehicles approaching at highway speeds cover so much ground so quickly that you have little time to avoid them,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “We’re working with our partners in this program to teach young drivers that the safest place to be on the road until help arrives is inside their vehicle, with their seatbelts and emergency flashers on.“<br />
<br />
The “Sit Tight, Stay Safe” curriculum offers student drivers a simple “ABC” message for roadside emergencies: Activate emergency lights and pull to the side of the road, if possible. Buckle up and remain in your vehicle. Call for help—which can be done on the Illinois Tollway by dialing *999 or 911.<br />
<br />
Car crashes are the number one cause of death for teens age 16 to 19, and half of all teens will be involved in a car crash before graduating from high school, according to the National Safety Council.<br />
<br />
The “Sit Tight, Stay Safe” education module will provide students with information on the best way to prepare for roadside emergencies, provide directions on what to do in the event of an emergency and information on who to call for help.<br />
<br />
By partnering with the IHSCDEA, the Tollway and Illinois State Police can reach a wide audience of young drivers with a vital safety message that will save lives. <br />
</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="clye" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2020-10-30]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Driver Live Safety Demonstration at the Chicagoland Speedway
Display date: 2020-10-30
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="vknc" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"JA and Rocky Pace-smaller.jpg","name":"JA and Rocky Pace-smaller.jpg","width":"","description":"JA and Rocky Pace-smaller.jpg","title":"JA and Rocky Pace-smaller.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"31322edd-e46f-e7cb-1393-9ebf96131030","fileEntryId":"1014122","resourcePrimKey":"1228002","url":"/documents/883951/989581/JA%20and%20Rocky%20Pace-smaller.jpg/31322edd-e46f-e7cb-1393-9ebf96131030?t=1603483120161","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="HR4HT4mM" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="odgv" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Innovation Award Recognizes Partnership Between the Illinois Tollway and Pace]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="iVm4jjHS" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="kdom" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>In recognition of a unique partnership between the Illinois Tollway and Pace Suburban Bus, the American Public Transportation Association awarded the partnership its 2020 Innovation Award. </p>
<p>The Tollway and Pace worked together to expand transit, deliver roadway improvements and improve overall mobility on the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90).</p>
<p>“The partnership between the Illinois Tollway and Pace serves as a great example of what can be accomplished when transportation and transit agencies work together,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. </p>
<p>The American Public Transportation Association represents public transit agencies and private firms across the national and international transportation industry. The APTA Innovation Award acknowledges public transportation systems that demonstrate innovative concepts or effective problem-solving techniques not previously applied in the public transportation industry.</p>
<p>The partnership with the Tollway set a new standard for Pace and the 35 million passengers the agency serves in 200 municipalities across the Chicago area. While planning its I-90 Market Expansion Program, Pace worked in coordination with the Tollway as it was planning the $2.5 billion rebuilding and widening of I-90 from Rockford to Chicago.</p>
<p>The many transit and transportation improvements delivered on I-90 resulted from multiple coordinated planning efforts not only between Pace and the Tollway, but also the Illinois Department of Transportation, Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, Regional Transportation Authority, Cook and Kane counties and numerous municipalities, businesses and residents. </p>
<p>Improvements included six new bus routes, enhanced service on existing routes, 25 new buses, new transit facilities providing more than 500 free parking spaces, and the state’s first highway-based bus rapid transit station at Barrington Road in Hoffman Estates.</p>
<p>The most significant innovation of the I-90 Project was the construction of flex lanes and technology to support a SmartRoad, enabling buses (and emergency vehicles) to travel on a dedicated lane of I-90. These flex lanes improve travel times on a network of a more than a dozen Pace bus routes. </p>
<p>With SmartRoad, the Tollway can take a data-driven approach to congestion management on I-90 and has been able to report to Pace (and to digital screens above the roadway) in real time when buses can use the Flex Lanes to avoid congestion. The Tollway is also able to continually monitor traffic incidents and travel times and communicate them to Pace’s Operations team.</p>
<p>The collaboration between Pace and the Illinois Tollway marked a paradigm shift in highway and transit planning for Northern Illinois to deal with increasing travel demands. The improvements drove ridership, improved on-time performance, and increased visibility for the suburban bus division of the RTA. The Tollway’s investments in a dedicated running way with real-time information provides Pace with an advantage over driving, guaranteeing reliable service for transit users. </p>
<p>As the transportation sector looks for ways to reduce congestion as development increases, and as the public sector more broadly looks to reduce carbon emissions and contain costs, this sort of partnership is not just innovative, but imperative.</p>
<p>“Collaboration was the key to this project’s success,” said Pace Executive Director Rocky Donahue. “Every partner involved in this project ultimately has the same goal, and that’s to serve the people of this region. We worked together for the greater good and the result is better access for all to employment, medical care, education and all our region has to offer.”</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="phhj" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2020-10-23]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Innovation Award Recognizes Partnership Between the Illinois Tollway and Pace
Display date: 2020-10-23
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="uarg" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"1014118","groupId":"20184","name":"50391","alt":"JA and Rocky Pace-smaller.jpg","title":"JA and Rocky Pace-smaller.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"31322edd-e46f-e7cb-1393-9ebf96131030","fileEntryId":"1014122","resourcePrimKey":"1142202"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="vEdM4JME" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="slof" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Innovation Award Recognizes Partnership Between the Illinois Tollway and Pace]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="om1wKA8s" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="vdca" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>In recognition of a unique partnership between the Illinois Tollway and Pace Suburban Bus, the American Public Transportation Association awarded the partnership its 2020 Innovation Award. </p>
<p>The Tollway and Pace worked together to expand transit, deliver roadway improvements and improve overall mobility on the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90).</p>
<p>“The partnership between the Illinois Tollway and Pace serves as a great example of what can be accomplished when transportation and transit agencies work together,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. </p>
<p>The American Public Transportation Association represents public transit agencies and private firms across the national and international transportation industry. The APTA Innovation Award acknowledges public transportation systems that demonstrate innovative concepts or effective problem-solving techniques not previously applied in the public transportation industry.</p>
<p>The partnership with the Tollway set a new standard for Pace and the 35 million passengers the agency serves in 200 municipalities across the Chicago area. While planning its I-90 Market Expansion Program, Pace worked in coordination with the Tollway as it was planning the $2.5 billion rebuilding and widening of I-90 from Rockford to Chicago.</p>
<p>The many transit and transportation improvements delivered on I-90 resulted from multiple coordinated planning efforts not only between Pace and the Tollway, but also the Illinois Department of Transportation, Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, Regional Transportation Authority, Cook and Kane counties and numerous municipalities, businesses and residents. </p>
<p>Improvements included six new bus routes, enhanced service on existing routes, 25 new buses, new transit facilities providing more than 500 free parking spaces, and the state’s first highway-based bus rapid transit station at Barrington Road in Hoffman Estates.</p>
<p>The most significant innovation of the I-90 Project was the construction of flex lanes and technology to support a SmartRoad, enabling buses (and emergency vehicles) to travel on a dedicated lane of I-90. These flex lanes improve travel times on a network of a more than a dozen Pace bus routes. </p>
<p>With SmartRoad, the Tollway can take a data-driven approach to congestion management on I-90 and has been able to report to Pace (and to digital screens above the roadway) in real time when buses can use the Flex Lanes to avoid congestion. The Tollway is also able to continually monitor traffic incidents and travel times and communicate them to Pace’s Operations team.</p>
<p>The collaboration between Pace and the Illinois Tollway marked a paradigm shift in highway and transit planning for Northern Illinois to deal with increasing travel demands. The improvements drove ridership, improved on-time performance, and increased visibility for the suburban bus division of the RTA. The Tollway’s investments in a dedicated running way with real-time information provides Pace with an advantage over driving, guaranteeing reliable service for transit users. </p>
<p>As the transportation sector looks for ways to reduce congestion as development increases, and as the public sector more broadly looks to reduce carbon emissions and contain costs, this sort of partnership is not just innovative, but imperative.</p>
<p>“Collaboration was the key to this project’s success,” said Pace Executive Director Rocky Donahue. “Every partner involved in this project ultimately has the same goal, and that’s to serve the people of this region. We worked together for the greater good and the result is better access for all to employment, medical care, education and all our region has to offer.”</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="yqyb" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2020-10-23]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Innovation Award Recognizes Partnership Between the Illinois Tollway and Pace
Display date: 2020-10-23
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="rjze" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"MartinezFrog-blog_1020.png","name":"MartinezFrog-blog_1020.png","width":"","description":"MartinezFrog-blog_1020.png","title":"MartinezFrog-blog_1020.png","type":"journal","uuid":"ead7113a-1a5e-7573-46e8-7cf774e175ec","fileEntryId":"1010244","resourcePrimKey":"1228015","url":"/documents/883951/989581/MartinezFrog-blog_1020.png/ead7113a-1a5e-7573-46e8-7cf774e175ec?t=1602789085028","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="G6xetx1D" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="nhir" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Martinez Frogs keeps growing through Illinois Tollway’s Technical Assistance Program]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="mdqSMYia" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="ddqb" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Ricardo Martinez launched his business more than 20 years ago with one dump truck that he drove himself. Since that humble beginning, his company, Martinez Frogs Inc., has expanded to include about 15 employees and now takes on jobs involving excavation, demolition and concrete work.</p>
<p>Today, the firm is continuing its growth by working on a demolition project for the Illinois Tollway along the planned route of the new I-490 Tollway along the western edge of O’Hare International Airport.</p>
<p>Martinez credits his confidence to bid on that work to his participation in the Tollway’s Technical Assistance program, which is specifically designed to help small, diverse firms compete for work on agency construction projects.</p>
<p>“The Technical Assistance program has been instrumental in helping us gain the skills needed to compete and win opportunities with the Tollway,” Martinez said. Barely a year after first taking part in the Technical Assistance program, Martinez Frogs will be doing demolition work on an old copper pipe factory that must be removed to help clear a path for the I-490 Tollway, which will provide western access to O’Hare Airport.</p>
<p>The Melrose Park company began planning and securing permits in August for the project, with field work beginning in the fall.</p>
<p>The Technical Assistance program from the Illinois Tollway helps both growing and established transportation-related construction firms – including disadvantaged, minority- and women-owned business enterprise (D/M/WBE), service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses (SDVOSB) and veteran-owned small businesses (VOSB) – participate in Tollway construction projects.</p>
<p>“We’re proud that our Technical Assistance program, along with other development initiatives offered by the Tollway, is helping small firms grow,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “The program also creates a larger pool of qualified contractors to bid on projects, which ultimately provides better value to Tollway customers.”</p>
<p>Martinez’s firm was recruited to the program by the Hispanic American Construction Industry Association, a trade group and program partner that works to create diversity in the construction industry.</p>
<p>“The Illinois Tollway’s program has opened opportunities for companies like ours that might not otherwise have them,” Martinez said.</p>
<p>Attending night classes, Martinez gained skills in business administration and project management that have been instrumental in creating new opportunities for the company.</p>
<p>“The services were customized and helped assess our strengths, challenges and needs,” he said. “The program equipped us with the information we needed to know to get started and take our business to the next level and successfully compete for Tollway work.”</p>
<p>There are two levels in the program for participating companies: Level 1 is for companies with no experience bidding on Tollway projects, while Level 2 companies have some experience working with the Tollway but are looking to expand their partnerships with the agency.</p>
<p>The skills he gained through the Technical Assistance program have allowed Martinez Frogs to expand beyond Tollway projects, though Martinez says he will continue to participate in the program to gain additional skills that will help keep his company growing.</p>
<p>“The Technical Assistance Program has helped our business grow,” Martinez said. “I encourage other businesses to look into the program and take advantage of its development opportunities that will help your business achieve more opportunities.”</p>
<p>Since its inception, the Tollway’s Technical Assistance Program has provided support and training to more than 680 firms working to succeed and grow. There are 12 locations providing technical assistance for emerging businesses in Chicago, Cook County, the south suburbs and Rockford.</p>
<p>As a result of the Tollway's investment in the program, approximately 1,766 bids have been submitted by clients since 2017, including 377 on Tollway projects. In 2019, 167 of the bids submitted on Tollway projects resulted in 34 firms winning work as primes or subcontractors on 25 contracts.</p>
<p>Information on the Illinois Tollway’s Technical Assistance Program and how to get started can be found by visiting the Illinois Tollway’s website.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="tquq" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2020-10-20]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Martinez Frogs keeps growing through Illinois Tollway’s Technical Assistance Program
Display date: 2020-10-20
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="leiy" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"1010240","groupId":"20184","name":"50337","alt":"MartinezFrog-blog_1020.png","title":"MartinezFrog-blog_1020.png","type":"journal","uuid":"ead7113a-1a5e-7573-46e8-7cf774e175ec","fileEntryId":"1010244","resourcePrimKey":"1142215"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="075EOX1T" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="pnjk" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Martinez Frogs keeps growing through Illinois Tollway’s Technical Assistance Program]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="FNTD1vpH" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="qojo" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Ricardo Martinez launched his business more than 20 years ago with one dump truck that he drove himself. Since that humble beginning, his company, Martinez Frogs Inc., has expanded to include about 15 employees and now takes on jobs involving excavation, demolition and concrete work.</p>
<p>Today, the firm is continuing its growth by working on a demolition project for the Illinois Tollway along the planned route of the new I-490 Tollway along the western edge of O’Hare International Airport.</p>
<p>Martinez credits his confidence to bid on that work to his participation in the Tollway’s Technical Assistance program, which is specifically designed to help small, diverse firms compete for work on agency construction projects.</p>
<p>“The Technical Assistance program has been instrumental in helping us gain the skills needed to compete and win opportunities with the Tollway,” Martinez said. Barely a year after first taking part in the Technical Assistance program, Martinez Frogs will be doing demolition work on an old copper pipe factory that must be removed to help clear a path for the I-490 Tollway, which will provide western access to O’Hare Airport.</p>
<p>The Melrose Park company began planning and securing permits in August for the project, with field work beginning in the fall.</p>
<p>The Technical Assistance program from the Illinois Tollway helps both growing and established transportation-related construction firms – including disadvantaged, minority- and women-owned business enterprise (D/M/WBE), service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses (SDVOSB) and veteran-owned small businesses (VOSB) – participate in Tollway construction projects.</p>
<p>“We’re proud that our Technical Assistance program, along with other development initiatives offered by the Tollway, is helping small firms grow,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “The program also creates a larger pool of qualified contractors to bid on projects, which ultimately provides better value to Tollway customers.”</p>
<p>Martinez’s firm was recruited to the program by the Hispanic American Construction Industry Association, a trade group and program partner that works to create diversity in the construction industry.</p>
<p>“The Illinois Tollway’s program has opened opportunities for companies like ours that might not otherwise have them,” Martinez said.</p>
<p>Attending night classes, Martinez gained skills in business administration and project management that have been instrumental in creating new opportunities for the company.</p>
<p>“The services were customized and helped assess our strengths, challenges and needs,” he said. “The program equipped us with the information we needed to know to get started and take our business to the next level and successfully compete for Tollway work.”</p>
<p>There are two levels in the program for participating companies: Level 1 is for companies with no experience bidding on Tollway projects, while Level 2 companies have some experience working with the Tollway but are looking to expand their partnerships with the agency.</p>
<p>The skills he gained through the Technical Assistance program have allowed Martinez Frogs to expand beyond Tollway projects, though Martinez says he will continue to participate in the program to gain additional skills that will help keep his company growing.</p>
<p>“The Technical Assistance Program has helped our business grow,” Martinez said. “I encourage other businesses to look into the program and take advantage of its development opportunities that will help your business achieve more opportunities.”</p>
<p>Since its inception, the Tollway’s Technical Assistance Program has provided support and training to more than 680 firms working to succeed and grow. There are 12 locations providing technical assistance for emerging businesses in Chicago, Cook County, the south suburbs and Rockford.</p>
<p>As a result of the Tollway's investment in the program, approximately 1,766 bids have been submitted by clients since 2017, including 377 on Tollway projects. In 2019, 167 of the bids submitted on Tollway projects resulted in 34 firms winning work as primes or subcontractors on 25 contracts.</p>
<p>Information on the Illinois Tollway’s Technical Assistance Program and how to get started can be found by visiting the Illinois Tollway’s website.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="zxdb" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2020-10-20]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Martinez Frogs keeps growing through Illinois Tollway’s Technical Assistance Program
Display date: 2020-10-20
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="qgau" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Tolling2020-blog_0620-01.jpg","name":"Tolling2020-blog_0620-01.jpg","width":"","description":"Tolling2020-blog_0620-01.jpg","title":"Tolling2020-blog_0620-01.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"05229191-bb80-02ed-1873-493341cd6136","fileEntryId":"1010156","resourcePrimKey":"1228028","url":"/documents/883951/989581/Tolling2020-blog_0620-01.jpg/05229191-bb80-02ed-1873-493341cd6136?t=1602787024224","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="57tlbWqP" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="adjo" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Reform and Relief Package Having Big Impact on Customers]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="wcH1Sbn8" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="uzut" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Since the Illinois Tollway in June launched TOLLING 2020, a comprehensive tolling relief program, thousands of drivers have taken advantage of the changes to save nearly $50 million by settling their unpaid toll violations at drastically reduced rates.</p>
<p>Through mid-September, Tollway customers had cleared more than 86,000 outstanding toll violation notices making it the most successful relief package in the Tollway’s history.</p>
<p>An update presented to the Tollway’s Board of Directors at its September meeting outlined the scope and success of the program, which also included a new invoice process and COVID-19 relief in addition to the violation relief for drivers with outstanding toll violations.</p>
<p>Through the end of 2020, the Tollway reduced all outstanding $20 and $50 fines per toll will to $3 per toll, providing an opportunity for thousands of drivers to obtain relief. </p>
<p>In the first 60 days following the launch, the Tollway cleared about 65,000 outstanding violation notices--about 7 times the number cleared in a 2009 amnesty program and nearly 6 times as many notices as were resolved during a 2005 amnesty. The Tollway in September was continuing to average about 8,000 payments weekly, with the average payment being about $60.</p>
<p>The total savings to customers in reduced fines so far amounts to almost $50 million, and thanks to ongoing messaging and outreach efforts customers are continuing to realize savings. </p>
<p>A separate provision in this reform package allows drivers who accrued unpaid tolls at the start of the COVID-19 outbreak to avoid any fines and simply pay their missed tolls and a 1-cent invoicing fee. The Tollway invoiced about 4.7 million tolls accrued between March 9 and June 25, when the Tollway first switched to all-electronic tolling and closed cash lanes as a safety measure for customers and workers.</p>
<p>Also, moving forward as part of the reforms, customers are now are mailed an invoice with a $3 fee per unpaid toll for passenger vehicles, a cost reduction of about 85 percent from the initial $20 violation previously charged. </p>
<p>And as always, all fees can be avoided by paying online within 14 days of the violation.</p>
<p>Customers with outstanding toll violation notices should pay their balances by the end of the year to take full advantage of the financial savings offered by the reforms.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="zacb" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2020-10-16]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Reform and Relief Package Having Big Impact on Customers
Display date: 2020-10-16
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="auis" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"1010139","groupId":"20184","name":"50332","alt":"Tolling2020-blog_0620-01.jpg","title":"Tolling2020-blog_0620-01.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"05229191-bb80-02ed-1873-493341cd6136","fileEntryId":"1010156","resourcePrimKey":"1142228"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="f5nT8Yf4" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="idpd" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Reform and Relief Package Having Big Impact on Customers]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="bG8HNqAx" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="xumo" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Since the Illinois Tollway in June launched TOLLING 2020, a comprehensive tolling relief program, thousands of drivers have taken advantage of the changes to save nearly $50 million by settling their unpaid toll violations at drastically reduced rates.</p>
<p>Through mid-September, Tollway customers had cleared more than 86,000 outstanding toll violation notices making it the most successful relief package in the Tollway’s history.</p>
<p>An update presented to the Tollway’s Board of Directors at its September meeting outlined the scope and success of the program, which also included a new invoice process and COVID-19 relief in addition to the violation relief for drivers with outstanding toll violations.</p>
<p>Through the end of 2020, the Tollway reduced all outstanding $20 and $50 fines per toll will to $3 per toll, providing an opportunity for thousands of drivers to obtain relief. </p>
<p>In the first 60 days following the launch, the Tollway cleared about 65,000 outstanding violation notices--about 7 times the number cleared in a 2009 amnesty program and nearly 6 times as many notices as were resolved during a 2005 amnesty. The Tollway in September was continuing to average about 8,000 payments weekly, with the average payment being about $60.</p>
<p>The total savings to customers in reduced fines so far amounts to almost $50 million, and thanks to ongoing messaging and outreach efforts customers are continuing to realize savings. </p>
<p>A separate provision in this reform package allows drivers who accrued unpaid tolls at the start of the COVID-19 outbreak to avoid any fines and simply pay their missed tolls and a 1-cent invoicing fee. The Tollway invoiced about 4.7 million tolls accrued between March 9 and June 25, when the Tollway first switched to all-electronic tolling and closed cash lanes as a safety measure for customers and workers.</p>
<p>Also, moving forward as part of the reforms, customers are now are mailed an invoice with a $3 fee per unpaid toll for passenger vehicles, a cost reduction of about 85 percent from the initial $20 violation previously charged. </p>
<p>And as always, all fees can be avoided by paying online within 14 days of the violation.</p>
<p>Customers with outstanding toll violation notices should pay their balances by the end of the year to take full advantage of the financial savings offered by the reforms.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="yxhs" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2020-10-16]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Reform and Relief Package Having Big Impact on Customers
Display date: 2020-10-16
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="lhfb" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Census Logo-2.jpg","name":"Census Logo-2.jpg","width":"","description":"Census Logo-2.jpg","title":"Census Logo-2.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"bdb7f3c9-0475-bf88-3c20-e5476ab8ee3e","fileEntryId":"1009161","resourcePrimKey":"1228041","url":"/documents/883951/989581/Census%20Logo-2.jpg/bdb7f3c9-0475-bf88-3c20-e5476ab8ee3e?t=1602684977072","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="P6AuPSSj" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="fgou" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Last Chance to Fill Out U.S. Census Forms and Help Illinois’ Transportation Network]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="AZ5AgRNA" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="ablk" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway does not rely on any state, federal or local funding to operate, maintain, rebuild and expand its 294-mile network of roads; however, many transportation and transit agencies that encompass our regional transportation network do rely on federal dollars allocated, in part, by the US Census. </p>
<p>That’s a small but critical reason why it is so important to complete your census forms, and now there’s one day left to be counted in the 2020 US Census. </p>
<p>Failing to count even 1 percent of the state’s population in the 2020 Census would result in Illinois losing about $19.5 million annually for the next decade, amounting to a total loss during that time of more than $195 million.<br />
Illinois typically receives about $2.4 billion annually in federal transportation funding based on its Census results, including about $1.5 billion for highway planning and construction. <br />
Undercounting Illinois’ population would reduce the federal funds going to those agencies, which in turn could limit the work they are able to do for our regional network. </p>
<p>In 2015, Illinois received $19.7 billion in federal assistance for sixteen programs, including transportation, an amount equal to about $1,535 for each state resident. <br />
The deadline for submitting Census forms closes tomorrow, Thursday October 15, 2020.</p>
<p>Click <a href="https://my2020census.gov/" target="_blank">here</a> to complete your form today. </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="csvv" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2020-10-14]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Last Chance to Fill Out U.S. Census Forms and Help Illinois’ Transportation Network
Display date: 2020-10-14
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="lqso" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"1009157","groupId":"20184","name":"50314","alt":"Census Logo-2.jpg","title":"Census Logo-2.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"bdb7f3c9-0475-bf88-3c20-e5476ab8ee3e","fileEntryId":"1009161","resourcePrimKey":"1142241"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="RXso1WTh" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="enin" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Last Chance to Fill Out U.S. Census Forms and Help Illinois’ Transportation Network]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="q3lVZp28" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="umgi" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway does not rely on any state, federal or local funding to operate, maintain, rebuild and expand its 294-mile network of roads; however, many transportation and transit agencies that encompass our regional transportation network do rely on federal dollars allocated, in part, by the US Census. </p>
<p>That’s a small but critical reason why it is so important to complete your census forms, and now there’s one day left to be counted in the 2020 US Census. </p>
<p>Failing to count even 1 percent of the state’s population in the 2020 Census would result in Illinois losing about $19.5 million annually for the next decade, amounting to a total loss during that time of more than $195 million.<br />
Illinois typically receives about $2.4 billion annually in federal transportation funding based on its Census results, including about $1.5 billion for highway planning and construction. <br />
Undercounting Illinois’ population would reduce the federal funds going to those agencies, which in turn could limit the work they are able to do for our regional network. </p>
<p>In 2015, Illinois received $19.7 billion in federal assistance for sixteen programs, including transportation, an amount equal to about $1,535 for each state resident. <br />
The deadline for submitting Census forms closes tomorrow, Thursday October 15, 2020.</p>
<p>Click <a href="https://my2020census.gov/" target="_blank">here</a> to complete your form today. </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="dozp" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2020-10-14]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Last Chance to Fill Out U.S. Census Forms and Help Illinois’ Transportation Network
Display date: 2020-10-14
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="yebl" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"MLB-FinalDeckPour-1200x400_5987.jpg","name":"MLB-FinalDeckPour-1200x400_5987.jpg","width":"","description":"MLB-FinalDeckPour-1200x400_5987.jpg","title":"MLB-FinalDeckPour-1200x400_5987.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"bcd81cd9-e289-f2a7-2434-ac2665e47732","fileEntryId":"1003342","resourcePrimKey":"1228054","url":"/documents/883951/989581/MLB-FinalDeckPour-1200x400_5987.jpg/bcd81cd9-e289-f2a7-2434-ac2665e47732?t=1601908794748","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="Nq6lnrnG" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="ixfn" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Central Tri-State Project: Final Deck Pour Complete on the New Northbound Mile Long Bridge]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="pSeVI9eC" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="sdeq" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Construction crews completed the 32nd concrete pour Friday, October 2, for the new 4,800-foot-long, five-lane northbound Mile Long Bridge on the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294).</p>
<p>In total, nearly 16,000 cubic yards of concrete was needed for the bridge deck and walls, an amount equal to about 1,760 fully-loaded concrete-mixing trucks. Along with the concrete, the bridge deck contains about 5.2 million pounds of stainless steel rebar, which are being used here because it resists corrosion and helps extend the life of the bridge.</p>
<p>To support this weight, the new bridge includes 273 precast concrete beams and 52 steel beams to build the new bridge. The largest concrete beams measured 187 feet long and 8 feet tall, with each weighing nearly 125 tons. They are the heaviest concrete beams ever used by the Tollway, and the heaviest ever produced or shipped in the Midwest.</p>
<p>The new bridge has 27 spans supported by 26 piers—fewer than half the number of piers supporting the existing bridge. The smaller number of piers will reduce the environmental impact on the waterways and industrial areas underneath the bridge.</p>
<p>Before traffic can be shifted to the new bridge, additional drainage, pavement and lighting work must be completed, along with roadway construction at the north and south end of the new bridge to tie it into the existing I-294 roadway.</p>
<p>The Illinois Tollway anticipates that the new northbound bridge will open to traffic in December. Construction on the new southbound Mile Long Bridge will get underway next year.</p>
<p>Read more about the Mile Long Bridge Project <a href="/projects/tri-state/mile-long-bridge-project" target="_blank">here</a>. </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="vezk" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2020-10-05]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Central Tri-State Project: Final Deck Pour Complete on the New Northbound Mile Long Bridge
Display date: 2020-10-05
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="rubb" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"1003307","groupId":"20184","name":"50203","alt":"MLB-FinalDeckPour-1200x400_5987.jpg","title":"MLB-FinalDeckPour-1200x400_5987.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"bcd81cd9-e289-f2a7-2434-ac2665e47732","fileEntryId":"1003342","resourcePrimKey":"1142254"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="PDxGonBL" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="xhml" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Central Tri-State Project: Final Deck Pour Complete on the New Northbound Mile Long Bridge]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="QsTUYGh2" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="pvos" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Construction crews completed the 32nd concrete pour Friday, October 2, for the new 4,800-foot-long, five-lane northbound Mile Long Bridge on the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294).</p>
<p>In total, nearly 16,000 cubic yards of concrete was needed for the bridge deck and walls, an amount equal to about 1,760 fully-loaded concrete-mixing trucks. Along with the concrete, the bridge deck contains about 5.2 million pounds of stainless steel rebar, which are being used here because it resists corrosion and helps extend the life of the bridge.</p>
<p>To support this weight, the new bridge includes 273 precast concrete beams and 52 steel beams to build the new bridge. The largest concrete beams measured 187 feet long and 8 feet tall, with each weighing nearly 125 tons. They are the heaviest concrete beams ever used by the Tollway, and the heaviest ever produced or shipped in the Midwest.</p>
<p>The new bridge has 27 spans supported by 26 piers—fewer than half the number of piers supporting the existing bridge. The smaller number of piers will reduce the environmental impact on the waterways and industrial areas underneath the bridge.</p>
<p>Before traffic can be shifted to the new bridge, additional drainage, pavement and lighting work must be completed, along with roadway construction at the north and south end of the new bridge to tie it into the existing I-294 roadway.</p>
<p>The Illinois Tollway anticipates that the new northbound bridge will open to traffic in December. Construction on the new southbound Mile Long Bridge will get underway next year.</p>
<p>Read more about the Mile Long Bridge Project <a href="/projects/tri-state/mile-long-bridge-project" target="_blank">here</a>. </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="yasd" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2020-10-05]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Central Tri-State Project: Final Deck Pour Complete on the New Northbound Mile Long Bridge
Display date: 2020-10-05
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="zxgy" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"IBTTA LOGO 2.jpg","name":"IBTTA LOGO 2.jpg","width":"","description":"IBTTA LOGO 2.jpg","title":"IBTTA LOGO 2.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"b5e2df18-9441-be66-05d3-59121f0f9bfa","fileEntryId":"996096","resourcePrimKey":"1228067","url":"/documents/883951/989581/IBTTA%20LOGO%202.jpg/b5e2df18-9441-be66-05d3-59121f0f9bfa?t=1600437132245","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="23PNWEw3" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="hgjo" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez Selected to Serve on Board of International Tolling Organization ]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="f0DxhS1W" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="ktey" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez has been elected to serve on the board of directors of the International Bridge, Tunnel & Turnpike Association, the worldwide organization representing toll agencies and operators.</p>
<p>The IBTTA, which represents roadway agencies in 26 countries on six continents, provides advocacy, education and leadership in implementing state-of-the-art technology and developing best practice standards for the user-financed transportation industry.</p>
<p>“I’m honored to join the IBTTA board and eager to assist my colleagues in this organization in developing and implementing innovative solutions that will help improve our roadways and transportation networks during these challenging times,” Alvarez said. “Working together, I’m optimistic that the tolling industry will lead the way into a brighter future by generating new investments in infrastructure that will help expand our economies and by adopting new technologies that will provide safer, better transportation for our customers.” </p>
<p>As the Tollway’s executive director, Alvarez manages the agency’s daily operations, overseeing the agency’s $1.5 billion annual budget and leading the Tollway’s nearly 1,400 employees in providing a safe, effective toll highway system that emphasizes providing outstanding customer service to the Tollway’s 1.6 million daily drivers.</p>
<p>Despite the economic challenges caused by the COVID-19 outbreak, the Illinois Tollway under Alvarez’s leadership is continuing as scheduled with its $14 billion Move Illinois capital program, which currently is rebuilding 22 miles of the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) and continuing advance work for the new I-490 Tollway, which will link three existing toll roads to O’Hare International Airport.</p>
<p>The International Bridge, Tunnel & Turnpike Association has long served member organizations helping foster interagency coordination while providing resources and support to tolling agencies nationwide. This year, the Tollway was recognized with an IBTTA Toll Excellence Award for social responsibility as a result of its investments in the region’s recreational trails that enhance the environment and connect people to nature.</p>
<p>Alvarez’s two-year term on the board of directors begins January 1, 2021.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="hmnr" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2020-09-18]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez Selected to Serve on Board of International Tolling Organization
Display date: 2020-09-18
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="ckze" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"996092","groupId":"20184","name":"49681","alt":"IBTTA LOGO 2.jpg","title":"IBTTA LOGO 2.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"b5e2df18-9441-be66-05d3-59121f0f9bfa","fileEntryId":"996096","resourcePrimKey":"1142267"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="iPpWC8vy" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="fqbc" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez Selected to Serve on Board of International Tolling Organization ]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="Ec3ycJTx" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="jkeh" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez has been elected to serve on the board of directors of the International Bridge, Tunnel & Turnpike Association, the worldwide organization representing toll agencies and operators.</p>
<p>The IBTTA, which represents roadway agencies in 26 countries on six continents, provides advocacy, education and leadership in implementing state-of-the-art technology and developing best practice standards for the user-financed transportation industry.</p>
<p>“I’m honored to join the IBTTA board and eager to assist my colleagues in this organization in developing and implementing innovative solutions that will help improve our roadways and transportation networks during these challenging times,” Alvarez said. “Working together, I’m optimistic that the tolling industry will lead the way into a brighter future by generating new investments in infrastructure that will help expand our economies and by adopting new technologies that will provide safer, better transportation for our customers.” </p>
<p>As the Tollway’s executive director, Alvarez manages the agency’s daily operations, overseeing the agency’s $1.5 billion annual budget and leading the Tollway’s nearly 1,400 employees in providing a safe, effective toll highway system that emphasizes providing outstanding customer service to the Tollway’s 1.6 million daily drivers.</p>
<p>Despite the economic challenges caused by the COVID-19 outbreak, the Illinois Tollway under Alvarez’s leadership is continuing as scheduled with its $14 billion Move Illinois capital program, which currently is rebuilding 22 miles of the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) and continuing advance work for the new I-490 Tollway, which will link three existing toll roads to O’Hare International Airport.</p>
<p>The International Bridge, Tunnel & Turnpike Association has long served member organizations helping foster interagency coordination while providing resources and support to tolling agencies nationwide. This year, the Tollway was recognized with an IBTTA Toll Excellence Award for social responsibility as a result of its investments in the region’s recreational trails that enhance the environment and connect people to nature.</p>
<p>Alvarez’s two-year term on the board of directors begins January 1, 2021.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="qhjk" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2020-09-18]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez Selected to Serve on Board of International Tolling Organization
Display date: 2020-09-18
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="pfxr" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"IMG_0208_PineDunes_2020-for blog.png","name":"IMG_0208_PineDunes_2020-for blog.png","width":"","description":"IMG_0208_PineDunes_2020-for blog.png","title":"IMG_0208_PineDunes_2020-for blog.png","type":"journal","uuid":"1f47bc1f-6e9b-4c18-11a4-f7699ba5effc","fileEntryId":"989639","resourcePrimKey":"1228093","url":"/documents/883951/989581/IMG_0208_PineDunes_2020-for%20blog.png/1f47bc1f-6e9b-4c18-11a4-f7699ba5effc?t=1599228919317","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="zjdspaR3" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="kzuo" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Wins International Award for Social Responsibility]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="GTp9Mu6t" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="ktax" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA) today announced the seven winners of its prestigious 2020 Toll Excellence Awards acknowledging industry leaders implementing transportation projects worldwide focusing on environmental sustainability, advancement of emerging technologies, easing mobility and alleviating congestion. <br />
<br />
“This year’s Toll Excellence Award winners have continued to set the bar higher for the transportation industry throughout the world,” said Samuel Johnson, Interim CEO of the Transportation Corridor Agencies and President of IBTTA. “From investing in environmental sustainability efforts to be valued partners in their local communities to the creation of a high-tech testing center to further the development of emerging technologies, our members lead the way in transportation.”<br />
<br />
The seven award winners will make presentations at 11 a.m. ET on September 10 during IBTTA's Virtual 88th Annual Meeting and Exhibition, September 10 and 14-16, 2020. One of the seven recipients will also be honored with the President’s Award for Excellence, the association’s highest achievement, during the opening session, Monday morning, September 14.<br />
<br />
“Toll authorities and industry partners demonstrate their continued leadership conceiving, developing and implementing programs and strategies that advance mobility, safety and efficiency for drivers around the world,” said David Machamer, Chair of IBTTA’s Toll Excellence Awards Committee and Assistant Executive Director, PIKEPASS and Toll Operations for the Oklahoma Turnpike. “Against historic, extraordinary circumstances this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, these award winners continue to find ways to break new ground that ultimately will mean safer, more reliable and better experiences for our customers, the driving public.”<br />
<br />
This year’s recipients of IBTTA’s 2020 Toll Excellence Awards are:<br />
· Administration and Finance: North Texas Tollway Authority<br />
· Customer Service and Marketing Outreach: Washington State Department of Transportation<br />
· Social Responsibility: Illinois Tollway<br />
· Technology: Florida's Turnpike Enterprise (FTE)<br />
· Toll Operations, Engineering and Maintenance: E-470 Public Highway Authority<br />
· Private Sector Innovation Award: Egis<br />
· Private Sector Innovation Award: HNTB Corporation<br />
<br />
IBTTA is the worldwide association for the owners and operators of toll facilities and the businesses that serve tolling. Each year, IBTTA presents the Toll Excellence Awards to highlight the very best projects, innovations, and solutions from the international tolling industry. The awards encourage the industry to share and celebrate new ideas and emerging practices. <br />
<br />
The Illinois Tollway was selected as the recipient of the 2020 Toll Excellence Award in the social responsibility category for its investments in recreational trails throughout Northern Illinois. <br />
<br />
The Tollway works with local communities, county forest preserve districts, regulatory agencies and other environmental groups to provide funding to restore and enhance prairies, woodlands, wetlands, and waterways. The investments by the Illinois Tollway's in recreational trails of approximately 1,000 miles of county forest preserve trails is one of the unsung benefits provided to communities surrounding the 294-mile system of five toll roads in Northern Illinois.</p>
<p>The trails benefit hikers, bikers, runners, horseback riders, bird-watchers, cross-country skiers, snowmobilers, and other outdoor enthusiasts living in the Chicago region's urban and suburban environments. The trails frequently link the forest preserves to longer, regional, statewide, and multi-state trails. Bike trails also serve as an alternative transportation mode for some commuters, enhancing the regional transportation network.<br />
<br />
As part of the Tollway's commitment to sustainability – from planning and design through construction, maintenance and operations – agency funds are invested in mitigation projects to offset the impacts of roadway construction on local and regional natural resources.</p>
<p>Last year, the Illinois Tollway began participating in the second phase of a large-scale project to help restore Spring Brook Creek, which runs through the St. James Farm Forest Preserve in DuPage County. The first phase, completed in 2015, reconfigured the creek to replicate a more natural, meaning stream. Phase Two of the project will improve habitat and water quality along approximately a 2-mile section of creek, creating better conditions for wildlife. The project also includes relocating the West Branch DuPage River Trail out of a floodplain, improving visitors' views of the surrounding prairies, wetlands, and woodlands. Restoration work on the second phase began in spring 2019 and is scheduled to be complete in 2021.</p>
<p>This project and other efforts are improving quality of life, enhancing the environment, and connecting people to nature. </p>
<p>You can learn more here about the Tollway’s sustainability efforts <a href="/sustainability">here</a>.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="qgjk" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2020-09-04]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Wins International Award for Social Responsibility
Display date: 2020-09-04
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="ynyf" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Kevin M-11.png","name":"Kevin M-11.png","width":"","description":"Kevin M-11.png","title":"Kevin M-11.png","type":"journal","uuid":"0b4feb9b-8beb-35aa-ec4e-63f45714fa04","fileEntryId":"989741","resourcePrimKey":"1228080","url":"/documents/883951/989581/Kevin%20M-11.png/0b4feb9b-8beb-35aa-ec4e-63f45714fa04?t=1599229479071","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="gLmZOH7F" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="iclu" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Tollway Worker Goes the Extra Mile to Aid Stranded Motorists]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="kUdhWyFn" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="ypvf" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Illinois Tollway roadway worker Kevin Rice is used to assisting drivers who are involved in crashes or whose vehicles break down along the Tollway system, but on a Thursday last month he went above and beyond to assist a carload of stranded travelers. </p>
<p>On August 13th, Rice responded to a crash with area maintenance site manager Phil Peterson on the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88) near DeKalb. After removing their overturned vehicle from the road, Rice and Peterson then turned to getting the passengers to a safe place for the night; however, because of their feline friend that proved challenging. </p>
<p>The duo worked together to find them lodging - driving them to four different DeKalb hotels before they found affordable lodging that also would accept their two pet cats. And then, because the travelers were short on cash, Rice even dug into his wallet and threw in some of his own money to make sure the group could cover the cost of their room. </p>
<p>“I just felt like I should do something to help,” said Rice, who has worked as a Tollway equipment operator/laborer for 13 years. “I think, ‘what if it was one of my family members out there?’ You’d want someone to take care of your wife or your kid. I just felt I should be helpful to them.”</p>
<p>It wasn’t a typical day at the office for Rice, but it’s part of what he sees as his job at the Tollway: To assist customers who need help, whether it’s by changing a flat tire, shuttling them off the roadway to a safer location following a crash--or even helping them find a place to stay. </p>
<p>“I felt we should do as much for them as we could,” said Rice.</p>
<p>His reward was the travelers’ gratitude—“they said, ‘we really appreciate what you did,’ ” Rice recalled--and the fact that all escaped the crash without serious injury.</p>
<p>“I’m glad they were OK. That was the main thing,” Rice said of the travelers, who were heading from Nebraska to Chicago.</p>
<p>Peterson said he wasn’t surprised to see Rice throw in his own money to make sure the travelers had a place to stay. </p>
<p>“That’s just the kind of guy he is,” said Peterson. “He’s always been that way, helping people out.”</p>
<p>The Tollway works to provide the best possible travel experience for its customers and roadway workers like Rice and Peterson are on the front lines of that effort.</p>
<p>“Kevin’s work that day went far above and beyond the level of service we expect Tollway staff to provide to drivers, but it exemplifies our commitment to do whatever we can to assist and safeguard our customers,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez.</p>
<p>Peterson said that’s the goal he and his staff at M-11 always strive to meet.</p>
<p>“I tell my guys to always provide five-star service to our customers,“ Peterson said. “I want to make sure we give them as much service as we can.”</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="ujme" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2020-09-04]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Tollway Worker Goes the Extra Mile to Aid Stranded Motorists
Display date: 2020-09-04
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="zain" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"989295","groupId":"20184","name":"49605","alt":"IMG_0208_PineDunes_2020-for blog.png","title":"IMG_0208_PineDunes_2020-for blog.png","type":"journal","uuid":"1f47bc1f-6e9b-4c18-11a4-f7699ba5effc","fileEntryId":"989639","resourcePrimKey":"1142293"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="fmycwHTH" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="mnaz" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Wins International Award for Social Responsibility]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="EgzUNVgs" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="vlch" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA) today announced the seven winners of its prestigious 2020 Toll Excellence Awards acknowledging industry leaders implementing transportation projects worldwide focusing on environmental sustainability, advancement of emerging technologies, easing mobility and alleviating congestion. <br />
<br />
“This year’s Toll Excellence Award winners have continued to set the bar higher for the transportation industry throughout the world,” said Samuel Johnson, Interim CEO of the Transportation Corridor Agencies and President of IBTTA. “From investing in environmental sustainability efforts to be valued partners in their local communities to the creation of a high-tech testing center to further the development of emerging technologies, our members lead the way in transportation.”<br />
<br />
The seven award winners will make presentations at 11 a.m. ET on September 10 during IBTTA's Virtual 88th Annual Meeting and Exhibition, September 10 and 14-16, 2020. One of the seven recipients will also be honored with the President’s Award for Excellence, the association’s highest achievement, during the opening session, Monday morning, September 14.<br />
<br />
“Toll authorities and industry partners demonstrate their continued leadership conceiving, developing and implementing programs and strategies that advance mobility, safety and efficiency for drivers around the world,” said David Machamer, Chair of IBTTA’s Toll Excellence Awards Committee and Assistant Executive Director, PIKEPASS and Toll Operations for the Oklahoma Turnpike. “Against historic, extraordinary circumstances this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, these award winners continue to find ways to break new ground that ultimately will mean safer, more reliable and better experiences for our customers, the driving public.”<br />
<br />
This year’s recipients of IBTTA’s 2020 Toll Excellence Awards are:<br />
· Administration and Finance: North Texas Tollway Authority<br />
· Customer Service and Marketing Outreach: Washington State Department of Transportation<br />
· Social Responsibility: Illinois Tollway<br />
· Technology: Florida's Turnpike Enterprise (FTE)<br />
· Toll Operations, Engineering and Maintenance: E-470 Public Highway Authority<br />
· Private Sector Innovation Award: Egis<br />
· Private Sector Innovation Award: HNTB Corporation<br />
<br />
IBTTA is the worldwide association for the owners and operators of toll facilities and the businesses that serve tolling. Each year, IBTTA presents the Toll Excellence Awards to highlight the very best projects, innovations, and solutions from the international tolling industry. The awards encourage the industry to share and celebrate new ideas and emerging practices. <br />
<br />
The Illinois Tollway was selected as the recipient of the 2020 Toll Excellence Award in the social responsibility category for its investments in recreational trails throughout Northern Illinois. <br />
<br />
The Tollway works with local communities, county forest preserve districts, regulatory agencies and other environmental groups to provide funding to restore and enhance prairies, woodlands, wetlands, and waterways. The investments by the Illinois Tollway's in recreational trails of approximately 1,000 miles of county forest preserve trails is one of the unsung benefits provided to communities surrounding the 294-mile system of five toll roads in Northern Illinois.</p>
<p>The trails benefit hikers, bikers, runners, horseback riders, bird-watchers, cross-country skiers, snowmobilers, and other outdoor enthusiasts living in the Chicago region's urban and suburban environments. The trails frequently link the forest preserves to longer, regional, statewide, and multi-state trails. Bike trails also serve as an alternative transportation mode for some commuters, enhancing the regional transportation network.<br />
<br />
As part of the Tollway's commitment to sustainability – from planning and design through construction, maintenance and operations – agency funds are invested in mitigation projects to offset the impacts of roadway construction on local and regional natural resources.</p>
<p>Last year, the Illinois Tollway began participating in the second phase of a large-scale project to help restore Spring Brook Creek, which runs through the St. James Farm Forest Preserve in DuPage County. The first phase, completed in 2015, reconfigured the creek to replicate a more natural, meaning stream. Phase Two of the project will improve habitat and water quality along approximately a 2-mile section of creek, creating better conditions for wildlife. The project also includes relocating the West Branch DuPage River Trail out of a floodplain, improving visitors' views of the surrounding prairies, wetlands, and woodlands. Restoration work on the second phase began in spring 2019 and is scheduled to be complete in 2021.</p>
<p>This project and other efforts are improving quality of life, enhancing the environment, and connecting people to nature. </p>
<p>You can learn more here about the Tollway’s sustainability efforts <a href="/sustainability">here</a>.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="imyj" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2020-09-04]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Wins International Award for Social Responsibility
Display date: 2020-09-04
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="nngc" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"870004","groupId":"20184","name":"49608","alt":"Kevin M-11.png","title":"Kevin M-11.png","type":"journal","uuid":"0b4feb9b-8beb-35aa-ec4e-63f45714fa04","fileEntryId":"989741","resourcePrimKey":"1142280"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="h6aBRXgP" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="tecu" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Tollway Worker Goes the Extra Mile to Aid Stranded Motorists]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="QmKqgabV" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="zmmx" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Illinois Tollway roadway worker Kevin Rice is used to assisting drivers who are involved in crashes or whose vehicles break down along the Tollway system, but on a Thursday last month he went above and beyond to assist a carload of stranded travelers. </p>
<p>On August 13th, Rice responded to a crash with area maintenance site manager Phil Peterson on the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88) near DeKalb. After removing their overturned vehicle from the road, Rice and Peterson then turned to getting the passengers to a safe place for the night; however, because of their feline friend that proved challenging. </p>
<p>The duo worked together to find them lodging - driving them to four different DeKalb hotels before they found affordable lodging that also would accept their two pet cats. And then, because the travelers were short on cash, Rice even dug into his wallet and threw in some of his own money to make sure the group could cover the cost of their room. </p>
<p>“I just felt like I should do something to help,” said Rice, who has worked as a Tollway equipment operator/laborer for 13 years. “I think, ‘what if it was one of my family members out there?’ You’d want someone to take care of your wife or your kid. I just felt I should be helpful to them.”</p>
<p>It wasn’t a typical day at the office for Rice, but it’s part of what he sees as his job at the Tollway: To assist customers who need help, whether it’s by changing a flat tire, shuttling them off the roadway to a safer location following a crash--or even helping them find a place to stay. </p>
<p>“I felt we should do as much for them as we could,” said Rice.</p>
<p>His reward was the travelers’ gratitude—“they said, ‘we really appreciate what you did,’ ” Rice recalled--and the fact that all escaped the crash without serious injury.</p>
<p>“I’m glad they were OK. That was the main thing,” Rice said of the travelers, who were heading from Nebraska to Chicago.</p>
<p>Peterson said he wasn’t surprised to see Rice throw in his own money to make sure the travelers had a place to stay. </p>
<p>“That’s just the kind of guy he is,” said Peterson. “He’s always been that way, helping people out.”</p>
<p>The Tollway works to provide the best possible travel experience for its customers and roadway workers like Rice and Peterson are on the front lines of that effort.</p>
<p>“Kevin’s work that day went far above and beyond the level of service we expect Tollway staff to provide to drivers, but it exemplifies our commitment to do whatever we can to assist and safeguard our customers,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez.</p>
<p>Peterson said that’s the goal he and his staff at M-11 always strive to meet.</p>
<p>“I tell my guys to always provide five-star service to our customers,“ Peterson said. “I want to make sure we give them as much service as we can.”</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="vnza" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2020-09-04]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Tollway Worker Goes the Extra Mile to Aid Stranded Motorists
Display date: 2020-09-04
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="kqef" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"0","groupId":"20184","name":"43428","alt":"Tolling2020-blog_0620-01.jpg","title":"Tolling2020-blog_0620-01.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"fca6eca1-71c2-f7cd-a2a3-de851feedf0b","fileEntryId":"856747","resourcePrimKey":"1228106"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="AtKSt2jr" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="gxbr" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Tolling 2020 Violation Relief Making An Impact]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="HQDyrXev" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="escg" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>When Breneshaia C. from the Quad Cities area received a notice that she owed $798 in tolls and violations, she called the Illinois Tollway in hopes of arranging a payment plan. </p>
<p>That’s when the representative with the Illinois Tollway’s Customer Service Call Center told Breneshaia C. about the <a href="/violations"><em>Tolling 2020</em></a> violation relief program.</p>
<p>Introduced in June, this comprehensive tolling reform package included comprehensive relief for customers with outstanding violations who settle their outstanding tolls in 2020. For the remainder of the year, all existing $20 and $50 fines per toll have been reduced to $3 per toll for those who pay off their balances. </p>
<p>After reviewing the customer’s account, the representative was able to reduce Breneshaia C.’s total balance due to less than $30. And through the Illinois Tollway’s new invoices, customers will now initially receive an invoice with a reasonable fee from here forward when they miss a toll. </p>
<p>“I was shocked,” she exclaimed. </p>
<p>Breneshaia C. shared the good news of Tolling 2020 with her friends in Iowa who also had received toll violations. As many people are facing financial challenges due to the coronavirus this year, others like Breneshaia C. are grateful to receive some financial relief from the Illinois Tollway. More information on Tolling 2020 <a href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/">here</a>. </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="avce" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2020-08-28]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Tolling 2020 Violation Relief Making An Impact
Display date: 2020-08-28
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="qznj" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"0","groupId":"20184","name":"43428","alt":"Tolling2020-blog_0620-01.jpg","title":"Tolling2020-blog_0620-01.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"fca6eca1-71c2-f7cd-a2a3-de851feedf0b","fileEntryId":"856747","resourcePrimKey":"1142306"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="oaHRQn9S" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="omxq" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Tolling 2020 Violation Relief Making An Impact]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="nyyeOmBO" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="iqmh" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>When Breneshaia C. from the Quad Cities area received a notice that she owed $798 in tolls and violations, she called the Illinois Tollway in hopes of arranging a payment plan. </p>
<p>That’s when the representative with the Illinois Tollway’s Customer Service Call Center told Breneshaia C. about the <a href="/violations"><em>Tolling 2020</em></a> violation relief program.</p>
<p>Introduced in June, this comprehensive tolling reform package included comprehensive relief for customers with outstanding violations who settle their outstanding tolls in 2020. For the remainder of the year, all existing $20 and $50 fines per toll have been reduced to $3 per toll for those who pay off their balances. </p>
<p>After reviewing the customer’s account, the representative was able to reduce Breneshaia C.’s total balance due to less than $30. And through the Illinois Tollway’s new invoices, customers will now initially receive an invoice with a reasonable fee from here forward when they miss a toll. </p>
<p>“I was shocked,” she exclaimed. </p>
<p>Breneshaia C. shared the good news of Tolling 2020 with her friends in Iowa who also had received toll violations. As many people are facing financial challenges due to the coronavirus this year, others like Breneshaia C. are grateful to receive some financial relief from the Illinois Tollway. More information on Tolling 2020 <a href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/">here</a>. </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="tmfq" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2020-08-28]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Tolling 2020 Violation Relief Making An Impact
Display date: 2020-08-28
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="qthn" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Side of the road.png","name":"Side of the road.png","width":"","description":"Side of the road.png","title":"Side of the road.png","type":"journal","uuid":"a3db2421-2eda-4043-9602-d647babe87a6","fileEntryId":"868560","resourcePrimKey":"1228119","url":"/documents/20184/865248/Side%20of%20the%20road.png/a3db2421-2eda-4043-9602-d647babe87a6?t=1598295888441","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="Yg2DeAUh" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="bvvp" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Stay in Your Vehicle During An Accident or Stall, It Could Save Your Life]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="9wzx7GAV" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="yetf" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>It’s a nightmare that can confront any driver: Your car is damaged in a crash or stalls, leaving you stranded in traffic on a high speed roadway. <br />
<br />
A driver’s first instinct might be to step out of the stopped car and dodge oncoming vehicles to head for the shoulder or median.</p>
<p>But trying to cross lanes of high-speed traffic on foot only makes a bad situation worse, Illinois State Police and Illinois Tollway officials said.</p>
<p>Instead, if your car can’t be moved out of traffic, activate your hazard lights, dial *999 for emergency assistance and stay safe inside your car.</p>
<p>Then wait for help to arrive—on the Illinois Tollway it won’t take long.</p>
<p>“Safety is our highest priority and we do whatever is necessary to protect our customers,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “Tollway crews and Illinois State Police patrol our system around the clock to assist and safeguard stranded drivers as quickly as possible. Drivers can help us keep them safe by staying inside their vehicle if it stalls in an active traffic lane or if they’re involved in a minor accident and can’t move their vehicle to the shoulder. Traffic moves rapidly on our roads and it’s hard for a stranded driver to determine if there’s time to cross a lane, or two lanes, to reach the shoulder.”</p>
<p>Tollway H.E.L.P. trucks assigned specifically to assist disabled or stranded drivers patrol the 294-mile system from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday. Tollway maintenances crews operate 24 hours a day on the road and also will aid drivers.</p>
<p>Illinois State Police District 15 troopers protect and assist drivers 24/7 on the Tollway system. Troopers can be reached in an emergency situation by calling 911 or dialing *999,</p>
<p>But safety starts with the drivers who use the Tollway and depends on the precautions they take. <br />
<br />
So to stay safe, stay in your car.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="govi" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2020-08-26]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Stay in Your Vehicle During An Accident or Stall, It Could Save Your Life
Display date: 2020-08-26
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="yabk" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"0","groupId":"20184","name":"44516","alt":"Side of the road.png","title":"Side of the road.png","type":"journal","uuid":"a3db2421-2eda-4043-9602-d647babe87a6","fileEntryId":"868560","resourcePrimKey":"1142319"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="6HwQ7GhA" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="ovjy" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Stay in Your Vehicle During An Accident or Stall, It Could Save Your Life]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="Fyd1NFrn" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="stij" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>It’s a nightmare that can confront any driver: Your car is damaged in a crash or stalls, leaving you stranded in traffic on a high speed roadway. <br />
<br />
A driver’s first instinct might be to step out of the stopped car and dodge oncoming vehicles to head for the shoulder or median.</p>
<p>But trying to cross lanes of high-speed traffic on foot only makes a bad situation worse, Illinois State Police and Illinois Tollway officials said.</p>
<p>Instead, if your car can’t be moved out of traffic, activate your hazard lights, dial *999 for emergency assistance and stay safe inside your car.</p>
<p>Then wait for help to arrive—on the Illinois Tollway it won’t take long.</p>
<p>“Safety is our highest priority and we do whatever is necessary to protect our customers,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “Tollway crews and Illinois State Police patrol our system around the clock to assist and safeguard stranded drivers as quickly as possible. Drivers can help us keep them safe by staying inside their vehicle if it stalls in an active traffic lane or if they’re involved in a minor accident and can’t move their vehicle to the shoulder. Traffic moves rapidly on our roads and it’s hard for a stranded driver to determine if there’s time to cross a lane, or two lanes, to reach the shoulder.”</p>
<p>Tollway H.E.L.P. trucks assigned specifically to assist disabled or stranded drivers patrol the 294-mile system from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday. Tollway maintenances crews operate 24 hours a day on the road and also will aid drivers.</p>
<p>Illinois State Police District 15 troopers protect and assist drivers 24/7 on the Tollway system. Troopers can be reached in an emergency situation by calling 911 or dialing *999,</p>
<p>But safety starts with the drivers who use the Tollway and depends on the precautions they take. <br />
<br />
So to stay safe, stay in your car.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="udpo" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2020-08-26]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Stay in Your Vehicle During An Accident or Stall, It Could Save Your Life
Display date: 2020-08-26
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="rvis" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"CentralTri_OpenHouse-carousel_0820.jpg","name":"CentralTri_OpenHouse-carousel_0820.jpg","width":"","description":"CentralTri_OpenHouse-carousel_0820.jpg","title":"CentralTri_OpenHouse-carousel_0820.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"aca1075c-0003-a21c-1e6b-b41da7c363b5","fileEntryId":"867803","resourcePrimKey":"1228132","url":"/documents/20184/865248/CentralTri_OpenHouse-carousel_0820.jpg/aca1075c-0003-a21c-1e6b-b41da7c363b5?t=1597943983967","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="vVPoMr7p" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="kdcf" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Project Virtual Open House]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="21Ey0DDL" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="jibl" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The COVID-19 crisis is forcing businesses and public agencies to rethink nearly everything, from the way we provide services to the way we engage customers. </p>
<p>The Illinois Tollway has a history of proactively engaging local communities, residents and customers by clearly and effectively communicating the impacts, changes and benefits of roadway and mitigation projects to the public. That’s why the Illinois Tollway has launched a new Virtual Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Project Open House to share 2020 construction information, as well as highlight key features and provide an overview of the $4 billion project's benefits and improvements. </p>
<p>The Virtual Open House can be accessed <a href="https://tri-state.consultation.ai/?aecomstaging" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>
<p>The Illinois Tollway is committed to delivering a world-class toll highway system with a minimal impact on surrounding communities and a positive impact on the region's economy, this includes ensuring its customers and the public are well informed. </p>
<p>Recognizing the challenges posed by COVID-19, the Tollway is opting to transition from in-person, large-group meetings to the Virtual Open House format offering public access to interactive content from the comfort and safety of their own homes. </p>
<p>The Illinois Tollway is rebuilding and improving the Central Tri-State Tollway from Balmoral Avenue to 95th Street in 2018 through 2025 to provide congestion relief, improve mobility, reconstruct old infrastructure to meet current and future transportation demand and to address regional needs. <br />
The new Virtual Open House provides the public the opportunity to view informational displays, maps, construction cameras and videos highlighting work currently underway and throughout the duration of construction. In 2020, this includes roadway construction and widening in the northern segment between the O'Hare Oasis and Wolf Road, construction of the new Mile Long Bridge and the new BNSF Railway Bridge, along with additional advance work underway throughout corridor. </p>
<p>Within the Virtual Open House visitors can move around multiple display areas, as well as zoom in and out to view the room and displays. In addition, the room offers traditional exhibits including an aerial corridor map that illustrates noisewall locations, proposed lane configuration and new/existing stormwater detention areas. Here visitors also can input an address within the corridor map to zoom to a specific location to see what is happening nearby.</p>
<p>The Illinois Tollway values public input and believes that Tollway customers are best served when a variety of perspectives on the issues are shared. </p>
<p>Construction information for 2020 construction season and the concept plan for the Central Tri-State Project can also be viewed in the <a href="/projects/tri-state/central-tri-state-reconstruction">Projects section</a> on the Tollway's website and questions and comments can be shared with the Tollway at any time via email at <a href="mailto:294tristate@getipass.com?subject=Question%20from%20Virtual%20Open%20House%20Central%20Tri-State%20Blog%20Page" target="_blank">294tristate@getipass.com</a>. </p>
<p>The Central Tri-State (I-294) Project is funded by the Illinois Tollways 15-year, $14 billion capital program, <em>Move Illinois: The Illinois Tollway Driving the Future</em>. </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="ofqa" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2020-08-20]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Project Virtual Open House
Display date: 2020-08-20
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="intq" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"0","groupId":"20184","name":"44503","alt":"CentralTri_OpenHouse-carousel_0820.jpg","title":"CentralTri_OpenHouse-carousel_0820.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"aca1075c-0003-a21c-1e6b-b41da7c363b5","fileEntryId":"867803","resourcePrimKey":"1142332"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="p1Cgh87I" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="vgdp" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Project Virtual Open House]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="tI5P7r2U" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="skrl" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The COVID-19 crisis is forcing businesses and public agencies to rethink nearly everything, from the way we provide services to the way we engage customers. </p>
<p>The Illinois Tollway has a history of proactively engaging local communities, residents and customers by clearly and effectively communicating the impacts, changes and benefits of roadway and mitigation projects to the public. That’s why the Illinois Tollway has launched a new Virtual Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Project Open House to share 2020 construction information, as well as highlight key features and provide an overview of the $4 billion project's benefits and improvements. </p>
<p>The Virtual Open House can be accessed <a href="https://tri-state.consultation.ai/?aecomstaging" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>
<p>The Illinois Tollway is committed to delivering a world-class toll highway system with a minimal impact on surrounding communities and a positive impact on the region's economy, this includes ensuring its customers and the public are well informed. </p>
<p>Recognizing the challenges posed by COVID-19, the Tollway is opting to transition from in-person, large-group meetings to the Virtual Open House format offering public access to interactive content from the comfort and safety of their own homes. </p>
<p>The Illinois Tollway is rebuilding and improving the Central Tri-State Tollway from Balmoral Avenue to 95th Street in 2018 through 2025 to provide congestion relief, improve mobility, reconstruct old infrastructure to meet current and future transportation demand and to address regional needs. <br />
The new Virtual Open House provides the public the opportunity to view informational displays, maps, construction cameras and videos highlighting work currently underway and throughout the duration of construction. In 2020, this includes roadway construction and widening in the northern segment between the O'Hare Oasis and Wolf Road, construction of the new Mile Long Bridge and the new BNSF Railway Bridge, along with additional advance work underway throughout corridor. </p>
<p>Within the Virtual Open House visitors can move around multiple display areas, as well as zoom in and out to view the room and displays. In addition, the room offers traditional exhibits including an aerial corridor map that illustrates noisewall locations, proposed lane configuration and new/existing stormwater detention areas. Here visitors also can input an address within the corridor map to zoom to a specific location to see what is happening nearby.</p>
<p>The Illinois Tollway values public input and believes that Tollway customers are best served when a variety of perspectives on the issues are shared. </p>
<p>Construction information for 2020 construction season and the concept plan for the Central Tri-State Project can also be viewed in the <a href="/projects/tri-state/central-tri-state-reconstruction">Projects section</a> on the Tollway's website and questions and comments can be shared with the Tollway at any time via email at <a href="mailto:294tristate@getipass.com?subject=Question%20from%20Virtual%20Open%20House%20Central%20Tri-State%20Blog%20Page" target="_blank">294tristate@getipass.com</a>. </p>
<p>The Central Tri-State (I-294) Project is funded by the Illinois Tollways 15-year, $14 billion capital program, <em>Move Illinois: The Illinois Tollway Driving the Future</em>. </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="cnxk" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2020-08-20]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Project Virtual Open House
Display date: 2020-08-20
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="vsxk" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"TeenSafetyAward_Blog_1200x400_0820-01.jpg","name":"TeenSafetyAward_Blog_1200x400_0820-01.jpg","width":"","description":"TeenSafetyAward_Blog_1200x400_0820-01.jpg","title":"TeenSafetyAward_Blog_1200x400_0820-01.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"929b0c91-90b8-a4c0-9db7-51f36b0c2130","fileEntryId":"867597","resourcePrimKey":"1228145","url":"/documents/20184/765907/TeenSafetyAward_Blog_1200x400_0820-01.jpg/929b0c91-90b8-a4c0-9db7-51f36b0c2130?t=1597850142677","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="ZRSegRSM" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="pdmm" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Partnerships to Promote Teen Driver Safety Win National Award]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="XVBwUlQh" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="fbzx" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Car crashes are the number one killer of teens. And half of all teens will be involved in a car crash before graduating from high school.<br />
<br />
To better educate teens on roadway safety, the Illinois Tollway works in partnership with the Illinois High School and College Driver Education Association and the Distress Bandanna Teen Driver Safety Initiative. <br />
<br />
These collaborative efforts are being recognized by the National Safety Council, which named the Illinois Tollway the winner of its 2020 Teen Safety Award for “going above and beyond to protect individuals who are particularly vulnerable – teens,” according to a statement by the NSC.<br />
<br />
The Illinois Tollway stood out for its effort to establish new partnerships with IHSCDEA and Distress Bandanna to promote teen driver safety, according to the NSC. IHSCDEA is composed primarily of high school and college driver education instructors, supervisors, coordinators and safety advocates throughout Illinois. Distress Bandanna promotes awareness of teen driver safety through its educational outreach initiative. <br />
<br />
The partnerships also involve close coordination with Illinois State Police resource officers who regularly visit student classrooms and use resources established through these initiatives. As part of outreach efforts, troopers visit several Illinois classrooms every week to talk about the importance of the Move Over Law and to talk to young drivers about the steps they should take if they ever find themselves on the side of the road. <br />
<br />
The Tollway’s goals in establishing new partnerships with driver education organizations are to improve traffic safety and support driver education in Illinois from the start by providing subject-matter expertise and timely educational materials to help instill safe driving habits in students. <br />
<br />
In addition, these strategic teen road safety partnerships provide valuable information on new and modified laws, improve awareness of risky driving behaviors and instill safety-conscious behaviors with a goal of decreasing the frequency of crashes related to teen drivers. By talking about the consequences of dangerous behavior behind the wheel, the idea is for students to focus on safety and to bring that message to other drivers in their family as well. <br />
<br />
The initiative has proven effective in getting the word out to teens. <br />
<br />
With the assistance of IHSCDEA, the Illinois Tollway distributed safe driving curriculum to more than 700 educators and 600 Illinois schools. And with the help of the Distress Bandanna Teen Driver Safety Initiative, it shared educational driving materials with 5,496 students in 290 classrooms at 126 public and private high schools.<br />
<br />
The Illinois Tollway plans on continuing strategic partnerships such as these to further support the efforts of teachers to promote roadway safety within schools and address some of the most pressing issues facing teen drivers like speeding, seat belt use, alcohol abuse and distracted driving. <br />
<br />
Learn more about Illinois Tollway roadway safety initiatives <a href="/roadway-safety" target="_blank">here</a>. ]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="ilsq" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2020-08-19]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Partnerships to Promote Teen Driver Safety Win National Award
Display date: 2020-08-19
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="xulo" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"0","groupId":"20184","name":"44326","alt":"TeenSafetyAward_Blog_1200x400_0820-01.jpg","title":"TeenSafetyAward_Blog_1200x400_0820-01.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"929b0c91-90b8-a4c0-9db7-51f36b0c2130","fileEntryId":"867597","resourcePrimKey":"1142345"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="4ng2Pn15" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="vmtj" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Partnerships to Promote Teen Driver Safety Win National Award]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="GjgCmvxN" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="zmsq" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Car crashes are the number one killer of teens. And half of all teens will be involved in a car crash before graduating from high school.<br />
<br />
To better educate teens on roadway safety, the Illinois Tollway works in partnership with the Illinois High School and College Driver Education Association and the Distress Bandanna Teen Driver Safety Initiative. <br />
<br />
These collaborative efforts are being recognized by the National Safety Council, which named the Illinois Tollway the winner of its 2020 Teen Safety Award for “going above and beyond to protect individuals who are particularly vulnerable – teens,” according to a statement by the NSC.<br />
<br />
The Illinois Tollway stood out for its effort to establish new partnerships with IHSCDEA and Distress Bandanna to promote teen driver safety, according to the NSC. IHSCDEA is composed primarily of high school and college driver education instructors, supervisors, coordinators and safety advocates throughout Illinois. Distress Bandanna promotes awareness of teen driver safety through its educational outreach initiative. <br />
<br />
The partnerships also involve close coordination with Illinois State Police resource officers who regularly visit student classrooms and use resources established through these initiatives. As part of outreach efforts, troopers visit several Illinois classrooms every week to talk about the importance of the Move Over Law and to talk to young drivers about the steps they should take if they ever find themselves on the side of the road. <br />
<br />
The Tollway’s goals in establishing new partnerships with driver education organizations are to improve traffic safety and support driver education in Illinois from the start by providing subject-matter expertise and timely educational materials to help instill safe driving habits in students. <br />
<br />
In addition, these strategic teen road safety partnerships provide valuable information on new and modified laws, improve awareness of risky driving behaviors and instill safety-conscious behaviors with a goal of decreasing the frequency of crashes related to teen drivers. By talking about the consequences of dangerous behavior behind the wheel, the idea is for students to focus on safety and to bring that message to other drivers in their family as well. <br />
<br />
The initiative has proven effective in getting the word out to teens. <br />
<br />
With the assistance of IHSCDEA, the Illinois Tollway distributed safe driving curriculum to more than 700 educators and 600 Illinois schools. And with the help of the Distress Bandanna Teen Driver Safety Initiative, it shared educational driving materials with 5,496 students in 290 classrooms at 126 public and private high schools.<br />
<br />
The Illinois Tollway plans on continuing strategic partnerships such as these to further support the efforts of teachers to promote roadway safety within schools and address some of the most pressing issues facing teen drivers like speeding, seat belt use, alcohol abuse and distracted driving. <br />
<br />
Learn more about Illinois Tollway roadway safety initiatives <a href="/roadway-safety" target="_blank">here</a>. ]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="pbte" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2020-08-19]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Partnerships to Promote Teen Driver Safety Win National Award
Display date: 2020-08-19
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="vrtl" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Raimonde and Caloia M-16.png","name":"Raimonde and Caloia M-16.png.jpg","width":"","description":"Raimonde and Caloia M-16.png","title":"Raimonde and Caloia M-16.png","type":"journal","uuid":"8f6e1b08-04b3-33b7-2a7f-a6b7514b11a0","fileEntryId":"865270","resourcePrimKey":"1228158","url":"/documents/20184/865248/Raimonde%20and%20Caloia%20M-16.png.jpg/8f6e1b08-04b3-33b7-2a7f-a6b7514b11a0?t=1596735952953","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="5dmCrwWS" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="pgah" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Help Along Our Roadways]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="qAjLG5wQ" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="cfbp" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="5" style="width:200px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><img alt="" src="/documents/20184/865248/Hawk+at+M-16.png/742dae68-c0b9-bc44-c877-664dfa7b67f0?t=1596724879731" style="width: 175px;" /></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>While Illinois Tollway customers may be familiar with the roadway assistance offered to drivers in need on the road, many don’t know that the Tollway’s Roadway Maintenance team also assists in unexpected ways. On June 16, a customer reported an injured hawk on the side of Illinois Route 390 Tollway near the I-290 Interchange. The Tollway dispatched roadway maintenance staff, Ricky Raimonde and Tony Caloia, to the site, and indeed they found a a juvenile Red-tailed Hawk approximately 16 to 18 inches in length with a broken wing.</p>
<p>Raimonde safely captured the bird, who was agitated and ready rumble, while Caloia found a large box to serve as a cage. Once back at the Tollway maintenance site, supervisor Brian Fuqua went on the hunt to find a rehabilitation center. Eventually, he notified the Department of Natural Resources, and the hawk was picked up and delivered it to Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Barrington.</p>
<p>We are happy to report that the hawk is on the mend and still residing at the rehabilitation center. Founded in 2003, Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation is a state and federally licensed, private, not-for-profit wildlife rehabilitation center dedicated to the care of injured and orphaned wildlife and to educating the public about wildlife and wildlife-related issues. Flint Creek Wildlife treats all species of wild birds, reptiles and amphibians and treats all wild mammals excluding skunks, bats and raccoons.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="bucl" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2020-08-06]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Help Along Our Roadways
Display date: 2020-08-06
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="rmun" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"0","groupId":"20184","name":"44207","alt":"Raimonde and Caloia M-16.png","title":"Raimonde and Caloia M-16.png","type":"journal","uuid":"8f6e1b08-04b3-33b7-2a7f-a6b7514b11a0","fileEntryId":"865270","resourcePrimKey":"1142358"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="FfCzwPug" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="sbju" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Help Along Our Roadways]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="89OPW9F1" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="hmaa" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="5" style="width:200px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><img alt="" src="/documents/20184/865248/Hawk+at+M-16.png/742dae68-c0b9-bc44-c877-664dfa7b67f0?t=1596724879731" style="width: 175px;" /></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>While Illinois Tollway customers may be familiar with the roadway assistance offered to drivers in need on the road, many don’t know that the Tollway’s Roadway Maintenance team also assists in unexpected ways. On June 16, a customer reported an injured hawk on the side of Illinois Route 390 Tollway near the I-290 Interchange. The Tollway dispatched roadway maintenance staff, Ricky Raimonde and Tony Caloia, to the site, and indeed they found a a juvenile Red-tailed Hawk approximately 16 to 18 inches in length with a broken wing.</p>
<p>Raimonde safely captured the bird, who was agitated and ready rumble, while Caloia found a large box to serve as a cage. Once back at the Tollway maintenance site, supervisor Brian Fuqua went on the hunt to find a rehabilitation center. Eventually, he notified the Department of Natural Resources, and the hawk was picked up and delivered it to Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Barrington.</p>
<p>We are happy to report that the hawk is on the mend and still residing at the rehabilitation center. Founded in 2003, Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation is a state and federally licensed, private, not-for-profit wildlife rehabilitation center dedicated to the care of injured and orphaned wildlife and to educating the public about wildlife and wildlife-related issues. Flint Creek Wildlife treats all species of wild birds, reptiles and amphibians and treats all wild mammals excluding skunks, bats and raccoons.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="rvey" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2020-08-06]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Help Along Our Roadways
Display date: 2020-08-06
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="tfbt" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Rocco-WTS-ManOfYear-1200x400_0520.jpg","name":"Rocco-WTS-ManOfYear-1200x400_0520.jpg","width":"","description":"Rocco-WTS-ManOfYear-1200x400_0520.jpg","title":"Rocco-WTS-ManOfYear-1200x400_0520.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"5f124aae-7579-785f-d426-1a62d9ea08b1","fileEntryId":"850923","resourcePrimKey":"1228171","url":"/documents/20184/848641/Rocco-WTS-ManOfYear-1200x400_0520.jpg/5f124aae-7579-785f-d426-1a62d9ea08b1?t=1590674453293","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="4RKxSPEI" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="ehzt" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Chief Planning Officer Named WTS Greater Chicago Chapter 2020 Honorable Ray LaHood Man of The Year]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="1xbig1wD" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="rtdc" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Illinois Tollway Chief Planning Officer Rocco Zucchero has not only achieved great success in his 20-year career at the agency, but he has also helped advance the careers of a strong team of women along the way.</p>
<p>Tollway Planning Department staff includes several women assigned to some of the Tollway’s largest projects, including the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Project and the I-490 Tollway Project. Other women are in charge of coordinating with railroads and communities on interchanges and other projects, environmental regulatory permitting and planning for the Tollway’s next capital plan.</p>
<p>“This award is well-deserved, as Rocco is widely respected in the transportation industry for his professionalism, expertise and dedication to setting high standards,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “His commitment to the department he has built and the projects he has led are evident in the Illinois Tollway’s success.”</p>
<p>The WTS Greater Chicago Man of the Year Award is presented annually to a man in the transportation industry who leads by example, seeking out opportunities to advance and advocate for women in his own organization and ensures that women are able to compete for key positions of authority within that organization.</p>
<p>Zucchero was also recognized by WTS for his skills in team building, serving as a mentor to staff and providing them the tools, support and encouragement needed to succeed in their jobs and overcome challenges to achieve their goals.</p>
<p>Widely known for being approachable, knowledgeable and generous with his time, Zucchero shares recognition for Tollway accomplishments with his staff. He has taught Tollway planners the importance of building consensus and seeing the big picture behind investments in transportation infrastructure, looking at not only what’s good for Tollway customers and communities, but also what’s good for the regional transportation network as a whole.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="bqqe" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2020-07-28]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Chief Planning Officer Named WTS Greater Chicago Chapter 2020 Honorable Ray LaHood Man of The Year
Display date: 2020-07-28
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="jspy" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"0","groupId":"20184","name":"43103","alt":"Rocco-WTS-ManOfYear-1200x400_0520.jpg","title":"Rocco-WTS-ManOfYear-1200x400_0520.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"5f124aae-7579-785f-d426-1a62d9ea08b1","fileEntryId":"850923","resourcePrimKey":"1142371"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="HBpgCdlR" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="xuht" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Chief Planning Officer Named WTS Greater Chicago Chapter 2020 Honorable Ray LaHood Man of The Year]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="0oJZE63b" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="zbtp" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Illinois Tollway Chief Planning Officer Rocco Zucchero has not only achieved great success in his 20-year career at the agency, but he has also helped advance the careers of a strong team of women along the way.</p>
<p>Tollway Planning Department staff includes several women assigned to some of the Tollway’s largest projects, including the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Project and the I-490 Tollway Project. Other women are in charge of coordinating with railroads and communities on interchanges and other projects, environmental regulatory permitting and planning for the Tollway’s next capital plan.</p>
<p>“This award is well-deserved, as Rocco is widely respected in the transportation industry for his professionalism, expertise and dedication to setting high standards,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “His commitment to the department he has built and the projects he has led are evident in the Illinois Tollway’s success.”</p>
<p>The WTS Greater Chicago Man of the Year Award is presented annually to a man in the transportation industry who leads by example, seeking out opportunities to advance and advocate for women in his own organization and ensures that women are able to compete for key positions of authority within that organization.</p>
<p>Zucchero was also recognized by WTS for his skills in team building, serving as a mentor to staff and providing them the tools, support and encouragement needed to succeed in their jobs and overcome challenges to achieve their goals.</p>
<p>Widely known for being approachable, knowledgeable and generous with his time, Zucchero shares recognition for Tollway accomplishments with his staff. He has taught Tollway planners the importance of building consensus and seeing the big picture behind investments in transportation infrastructure, looking at not only what’s good for Tollway customers and communities, but also what’s good for the regional transportation network as a whole.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="xgbg" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2020-07-28]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Chief Planning Officer Named WTS Greater Chicago Chapter 2020 Honorable Ray LaHood Man of The Year
Display date: 2020-07-28
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="cetg" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"PineDunes_2019_IMG_1276.png","name":"PineDunes_2019_IMG_1276.png","width":"","description":"PineDunes_2019_IMG_1276.png","title":"PineDunes_2019_IMG_1276.png","type":"journal","uuid":"ba570a4a-f016-bea8-06b9-16c509e078dc","fileEntryId":"864438","resourcePrimKey":"1228184","url":"/documents/20184/859104/PineDunes_2019_IMG_1276.png/ba570a4a-f016-bea8-06b9-16c509e078dc?t=1596117707686","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="OuXsNHFU" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="lubq" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Pines Dunes Forest Preserve Mitigation]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="MscHHXMB" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="fxyn" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers provided final compliance sign-off on the Illinois Tollway’s wetland mitigation work at the 315-acre Pine Dunes Forest Preserve located near Wadsworth in northern Lake County.</p>
<p>The Tollway successfully restored 80 acres of wetlands and 235 acres of adjacent savanna and prairie habitat and completed a five-year monitoring requirement in collaboration with the Lake County Forest Preserve District.</p>
<p>The Pine Dunes Forest Preserve features numerous streams, marshes, sedge meadows, ponds and other wetlands, as well as a mix of prairie, savanna and oak-hickory woodlands. These habitats have been identified by the Illinois Wildlife Action Plan, Chicago Wilderness and the Max McGraw Wildlife Foundation as critical nesting and foraging areas for a variety of birds and other wildlife species.</p>
<p>The Tollway’s work involved wetland creation, wetland enhancement, stream restoration, woodland restoration and improvement and conversion of upland farmland into mesic-prairie and oak savanna areas. Wetlands restoration and woodland enhancements included removal of man-made drainage features to reestablish natural water flow, removal of non-native species, control of invasive plants and the planting and seeding of diverse native prairie species. In addition, approximately 4,800 native trees and shrubs were planted in the upland areas.</p>
<p>The Tollway also constructed site improvements, including new trails to better connect the Des Plaines River Trail, a parking lot, restroom facilities, boardwalks, a drinking water well and a new entrance road, as well as nearly three miles of bike and pedestrian paths.</p>
<p>The wetland restoration and wetland enhancement were completed by the Tollway to mitigate the construction impacts associated with construction of the Illinois Route 390 Tollway and the new I-490 Tollway.</p>
<p>Learn more about the Tollway's mitigation efforts <a href="/sustainability/mitigation">here</a>. </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="bysn" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2020-07-27]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Pines Dunes Forest Preserve Mitigation
Display date: 2020-07-27
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="pyvx" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"0","groupId":"20184","name":"43853","alt":"PineDunes_2019_IMG_1276.png","title":"PineDunes_2019_IMG_1276.png","type":"journal","uuid":"ba570a4a-f016-bea8-06b9-16c509e078dc","fileEntryId":"864438","resourcePrimKey":"1142384"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="llpbHbTH" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="yfxu" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Pines Dunes Forest Preserve Mitigation]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="ZSWR8cDr" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="rlze" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers provided final compliance sign-off on the Illinois Tollway’s wetland mitigation work at the 315-acre Pine Dunes Forest Preserve located near Wadsworth in northern Lake County.</p>
<p>The Tollway successfully restored 80 acres of wetlands and 235 acres of adjacent savanna and prairie habitat and completed a five-year monitoring requirement in collaboration with the Lake County Forest Preserve District.</p>
<p>The Pine Dunes Forest Preserve features numerous streams, marshes, sedge meadows, ponds and other wetlands, as well as a mix of prairie, savanna and oak-hickory woodlands. These habitats have been identified by the Illinois Wildlife Action Plan, Chicago Wilderness and the Max McGraw Wildlife Foundation as critical nesting and foraging areas for a variety of birds and other wildlife species.</p>
<p>The Tollway’s work involved wetland creation, wetland enhancement, stream restoration, woodland restoration and improvement and conversion of upland farmland into mesic-prairie and oak savanna areas. Wetlands restoration and woodland enhancements included removal of man-made drainage features to reestablish natural water flow, removal of non-native species, control of invasive plants and the planting and seeding of diverse native prairie species. In addition, approximately 4,800 native trees and shrubs were planted in the upland areas.</p>
<p>The Tollway also constructed site improvements, including new trails to better connect the Des Plaines River Trail, a parking lot, restroom facilities, boardwalks, a drinking water well and a new entrance road, as well as nearly three miles of bike and pedestrian paths.</p>
<p>The wetland restoration and wetland enhancement were completed by the Tollway to mitigate the construction impacts associated with construction of the Illinois Route 390 Tollway and the new I-490 Tollway.</p>
<p>Learn more about the Tollway's mitigation efforts <a href="/sustainability/mitigation">here</a>. </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="msvt" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2020-07-27]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Pines Dunes Forest Preserve Mitigation
Display date: 2020-07-27
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<td><img alt="" src="/documents/20184/859104/I88-PrairiePathClip_0720.JPG/bf68730f-c59e-63de-82dc-180e56f72a8b?t=1595613794850" style="width: 350px;" /></td>
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<p>Regarded as the nation’s first rails-to-trails conversion in the 1960s, the Illinois Prairie Path spans more than 60 miles through Cook, DuPage and Kane counties. It follows an abandoned railroad right-of-way, running from Maywood to Wheaton and then forking north to Elgin, west to Geneva and Batavia and south to Aurora.</p>
<p>The Aurora branch of the trail crosses under the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88) in Naperville between Illinois Route 59 and Eola Road.</p>
<p>As part of the Tollway’s scheduled 2020 maintenance and repairs to the roadway, bridges and ramps on I-88 between the Aurora Toll Plaza and Illinois Route 59, the Illinois Tollway identified the I-88 bridge that crossed over the original railroad—now the Illinois Prairie Path—for improvement.</p>
<p>Working with the Illinois Prairie Path corporation and DuPage County, the Tollway engineers devised a plan to replace the old bridge with a new, modern pedestrian culvert, eliminating disruptions for motorists and reducing the impact of work for hikers and bikers.</p>
<p>And, to save time without adding costs, the path was to be constructed in stages under the existing bridge using castin-place concrete forms instead of precast concrete panels. The same form could be used multiple times, streamlining the process.</p>
<p>Coordination also resulted in a better, more functional underpass. The designed arch shape favored by locals is not only more cost-effective and easier to maintain, it is more aesthetically pleasing and allows in more natural lighting during the day as well as LED lighting to make the underpass brighter.</p>
<p>The Tollway worked with the Illinois Prairie Path corporation to determine the best times to temporarily close the Illinois Prairie Path until the new underpass was completed and provide a safe detour for path users to keep moving.</p>
<p>The new underpass has a vertical clearance of 15 feet and stretches 30 feet wide and also was built 295 feet long— longer than necessary for the existing roadway—to accommodate any future improvements needed on I-88.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="dlty" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2020-07-24]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Prairie Path Under Reagan Memorial Tollway I-88 Reopens
Display date: 2020-07-24
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
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<p>Regarded as the nation’s first rails-to-trails conversion in the 1960s, the Illinois Prairie Path spans more than 60 miles through Cook, DuPage and Kane counties. It follows an abandoned railroad right-of-way, running from Maywood to Wheaton and then forking north to Elgin, west to Geneva and Batavia and south to Aurora.</p>
<p>The Aurora branch of the trail crosses under the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88) in Naperville between Illinois Route 59 and Eola Road.</p>
<p>As part of the Tollway’s scheduled 2020 maintenance and repairs to the roadway, bridges and ramps on I-88 between the Aurora Toll Plaza and Illinois Route 59, the Illinois Tollway identified the I-88 bridge that crossed over the original railroad—now the Illinois Prairie Path—for improvement.</p>
<p>Working with the Illinois Prairie Path corporation and DuPage County, the Tollway engineers devised a plan to replace the old bridge with a new, modern pedestrian culvert, eliminating disruptions for motorists and reducing the impact of work for hikers and bikers.</p>
<p>And, to save time without adding costs, the path was to be constructed in stages under the existing bridge using castin-place concrete forms instead of precast concrete panels. The same form could be used multiple times, streamlining the process.</p>
<p>Coordination also resulted in a better, more functional underpass. The designed arch shape favored by locals is not only more cost-effective and easier to maintain, it is more aesthetically pleasing and allows in more natural lighting during the day as well as LED lighting to make the underpass brighter.</p>
<p>The Tollway worked with the Illinois Prairie Path corporation to determine the best times to temporarily close the Illinois Prairie Path until the new underpass was completed and provide a safe detour for path users to keep moving.</p>
<p>The new underpass has a vertical clearance of 15 feet and stretches 30 feet wide and also was built 295 feet long— longer than necessary for the existing roadway—to accommodate any future improvements needed on I-88.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="tfzv" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2020-07-24]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Prairie Path Under Reagan Memorial Tollway I-88 Reopens
Display date: 2020-07-24
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="daxn" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"202006 MLB for blog-sized.jpg","name":"202006 MLB for blog-sized.jpg","width":"","description":"202006 MLB for blog-sized.jpg","title":"202006 MLB for blog-sized.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"851393b3-705b-5925-a985-ac907623176e","fileEntryId":"856562","resourcePrimKey":"1228236","url":"/documents/20184/856366/202006%20MLB%20for%20blog-sized.jpg/851393b3-705b-5925-a985-ac907623176e?t=1593014934441","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="DcVjYpVo" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="smkq" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Mile Long Bridge Progress Update Featuring Photos and Video]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="OaApC6rT" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="pjnu" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="5" style="width:400px;">
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<p>It’s necessary to attack at all angles when rebuilding the Illinois Tollway’s dual-structure Mile Long Bridge in the southwest suburbs of Chicago.</p>
<p>The first of the two new bridge structures is being built for northbound traffic to the east of the existing northbound structure and the Illinois Tollway’s June video offers an update on progress to date. </p>
<p>The logistics of maneuvering in and around the surrounding environmental and man-made obstacles requires precise calculations and coordination to keep the $184.6 million northbound bridge contract on track.</p>
<p>The new bridge is being constructed from the ground, from the existing bridge and from a modular barge built on site using an array of heavy duty cranes, and all the activity was recently captured on drone photos by Chicago Tribune photographer Zbigniew Bzdak. </p>
<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="5" style="width:400px;">
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<td><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fzu3B3-y6RU?rel=0" width="560"></iframe></td>
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<p>The barge-mounted crane has a more than 50-ton capacity and the ability to lift the longest beams. </p>
<p>A ground-level rough-terrain crane provides the versatility to lift beams of various lengths and weights from unpaved conditions beneath the bridges. </p>
<p>The 1.2 million-lb. fixed-boom crawler cranes operating from the existing bridge are capable of lifting the heaviest of steel beams being erected over a portion of the Cook County Forest Preserve, as well as the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal and the Illinois and Michigan Canal, and can travel and rotate with a full load. </p>
<p>Construction on the new northbound Mile Long Bridge is scheduled to be completed before the end of 2020. Once the northbound bridge is complete, traffic will shift to the new bridge and the old northbound structure will be demolished. Construction will then begin on the new bridge for southbound traffic where the old northbound bridge was located. </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="shth" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2020-06-25]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Mile Long Bridge Progress Update Featuring Photos and Video
Display date: 2020-06-25
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="vghq" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Tolling2020-blog_0620-01.jpg","name":"Tolling2020-blog_0620-01.jpg","width":"","description":"Tolling2020-blog_0620-01.jpg","title":"Tolling2020-blog_0620-01.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"fca6eca1-71c2-f7cd-a2a3-de851feedf0b","fileEntryId":"856747","resourcePrimKey":"1228223","url":"/documents/20184/856366/Tolling2020-blog_0620-01.jpg/fca6eca1-71c2-f7cd-a2a3-de851feedf0b?t=1593101203322","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="qGzM3GXC" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="tgbu" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Lanza Reforma De Peaje Y Paquete De Alivio]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="UhufI8cQ" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="ulug" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p><strong><em>TOLLING 2020</em> presentará un nuevo enfoque para los peajes impagos y un alivio para multas pendientes </strong><br />
<br />
Illinois Tollway, la autoridad de peaje en vías, anunció hoy el TOLLING 2020, un paquete integral de reforma de peajes que presenta una reducción significativa de los costos iniciales que enfrentan los conductores cuando los peajes no se pagan. Las medidas también incluyen reducciones significativas en multas para aquellos con infracciones pendientes mientras se formaliza el periodo de alivio de la pandemia de COVID-19, durante el cual no se evaluarán las infracciones por peajes no pagados. <br />
<br />
“Desde el primer día, hemos abogado por un proceso de peaje más equitativo, uno que funcione para los usuarios”, dijo José Alvarez, Director Ejecutivo de Illinois Tollway. “Tenemos un sistema notable de peaje, pero los cambios se retrasaron mucho con respecto a los peajes impagos.” <br />
<br />
<strong>Los aspectos más destacados de los cambios incluyen: </strong><br />
<br />
<strong>Nuevo proceso de facturación</strong>: A partir de hoy, los usuarios con peajes impagos recibirán por correo una factura con un cobro de $3 por peaje no pagado para vehículos de pasajeros en lugar de una infracción inicial de $20, y como siempre, los usuarios pueden continuar evitando las tarifas por completo durante al menos 14 días pagando en línea. <br />
<br />
<strong>Alivio de infracciones</strong>: Durante el resto de 2020, Illinois Tollway reducirá todas las infracciones pendientes con Illinois Tollway, y todas las multas existentes de $20 y $50 por peaje también se reducirán a $3 por peaje, lo que brinda una oportunidad de alivio a miles de conductores. <br />
<br />
<strong>Alivio por COVID-19</strong>: Los peajes impagos que ocurrieron entre el 9 de marzo y el 25 de junio durante la orden de confinamiento no incurrirán en multas o tarifas adicionales. <br />
<br />
“Estos cambios están muy atrasados. Buscar infracciones considerables es un proceso costoso, y tanto las autopistas con peaje como los usuarios están mejor atendidos al brindar la mayor oportunidad posible para que los usuarios paguen sus peajes”, afirmó Alvarez. “Es por eso que estamos realizando ajustes para todas las infracciones pendientes también, para alinearlas con las nuevas reglas, y gracias a la Junta de Directores, cualquier persona que tenga multas impagas obtendrá ahorros significativos si paga al final de el año.” <br />
<br />
<strong>Reducción de notificaciones</strong>: Illinois Tollway está implementando un enfoque más gradual para las infracciones al reducir significativamente las sanciones iniciales asociadas con peajes impagos. Los propietarios de vehículos de pasajeros que no paguen un peaje ahora enfrentarán inicialmente una notificación con una tarifa de facturación de $3 por cada peaje no pagado en lugar de una notificación con una multa por infracción de $20, una reducción del 85 %. <br />
<br />
Actualmente, se aplica una multa de $20 por cada peaje impago si de deja sin pagar. Esa multa aumenta en otros $50 si la notificación no se paga durante 60 días adicionales. Por ejemplo, un solo viaje con cinco peajes impagos podría costarle al propietario de un vehículo de pasajeros más de $100. Ese mismo usuario ahora recibirá una notificación inicial con una tarifa de facturación de apenas $15, además de los peajes impagos, y tendrá 60 días para pagar antes de que esas tarifas aumenten. <br />
<br />
<strong>Alivio de infracciones</strong>: a partir de julio, los conductores con notificaciones de infracciones de peaje actuales verán cada penalización existente reducida a $3 hasta el final del año, lo que proporciona seis meses para que los usuarios resuelvan las violaciones bajo las nuevas pautas. Esto incluirá a cualquier persona enviada previamente al servicio de cobros por infracciones de peaje pendientes. <br />
<br />
<strong>Alivio COVID-19</strong>: Illinois Tollway también ha formalizado el período de gracia para los peajes no pagados durante la pandemia de COVID-19, del 9 de marzo al 25 de junio, asegurando que los usuarios no recibirán infracciones por peajes no pagados durante los últimos tres meses. Después de la fecha límite, los peajes de vehículos de pasajeros no pagados se alinearán con el nuevo proceso para facturas de peaje impagos. <br />
<br />
“Los conductores que hayan pasado por alto un peaje inadvertidamente durante esta crisis no enfrentarán ninguna sanción asociada con esos peajes impagos”, dijo Alvarez. <br />
<br />
<strong>¿Qué deben saber los usuarios?</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>A partir de ahora, los usuarios que deseen aprovechar la reducción significativa de las multas pueden simplemente visitar el sitio web de Tollway para revisar y pagar sus saldos actualizados hasta el final del año, incluso si anteriormente estaban en el servicio de cobros. No se requiere de acciones especiales. </li>
<li>Los usuarios con peajes impagos durante el período COVID-19 recibirán una factura solo por sus peajes impagos y además podrán pagar dichos peajes en línea. </li>
<li>Dado que Illinois Tollway todavía está realizando el cobro de peajes de forma totalmente electrónica para evitar la propagación de la COVID-19, los usuarios deben recordar pagar sus peajes en línea para evitar el cobro de multas y tarifas. </li>
<li><strong>El sistema de pago en línea y las operaciones de servicio al usuario en línea de Illinois Tollway estarán fuera de servicio a partir de esta noche, 25 de junio, hasta el domingo 28 de junio, pues se realizarán actualizaciones importantes del sistema que son necesarias para implementar el paquete de reforma y ayuda TOLLING 2020. Durante esta actualización, los usuarios no incurrirán en ninguna tarifa o multa por infracción. </strong></li>
</ul>
<p>Lea la hoja informativa <strong><em>2020 TOLLING</em></strong> <a href="/documents/20184/856366/Tolling+2020+One+Pager+v2_Spanish.pdf/37006f6b-fac4-3c2d-b785-db8933ffa51a" target="_blank">aquí</a>.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="llmy" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2020-06-25]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Lanza Reforma De Peaje Y Paquete De Alivio
Display date: 2020-06-25
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="vekc" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Tolling2020-blog_0620-01.jpg","name":"Tolling2020-blog_0620-01.jpg","width":"","description":"Tolling2020-blog_0620-01.jpg","title":"Tolling2020-blog_0620-01.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"fca6eca1-71c2-f7cd-a2a3-de851feedf0b","fileEntryId":"856747","resourcePrimKey":"1228210","url":"/documents/20184/856366/Tolling2020-blog_0620-01.jpg/fca6eca1-71c2-f7cd-a2a3-de851feedf0b?t=1593101203322","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="XGZKEav1" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="ccry" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Launches Tolling Reform and Relief Package]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="RzcCpolQ" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="evod" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p><strong>TOLLING 2020 to feature a new approach to unpaid tolls and relief to outstanding fines</strong></p>
<p>The Illinois Tollway today announced <em>TOLLING 2020</em>, a comprehensive tolling reform package featuring a significant reduction to the initial costs faced by motorists when tolls are left unpaid. The measures also include steep reductions in fines for those with outstanding violations while formalizing the COVID-19 pandemic relief period during which no violations will be assessed for unpaid tolls.</p>
<p>“From day one, we’ve advocated for a more equitable tolling process, one that works for the customer,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “We have a remarkable tolling system, but changes were long overdue with regard to unpaid tolls.”</p>
<p><strong>Highlights of the changes include:</strong></p>
<p><strong>New Invoice Process – </strong>Starting today, customers with unpaid tolls will be mailed an invoice with a $3 fee per unpaid toll for passenger vehicles rather than an initial $20 violation, and as always customers can continue to avoid fees completely for at least 14 days by paying online.</p>
<p><strong>Violation Relief – </strong>For the remainder of 2020, the Tollway is reducing all outstanding violations with the Illinois Tollway, and all existing $20 and $50 fines per toll will also be reduced to $3 per toll providing an opportunity for relief to thousands of motorists. </p>
<p><strong>COVID-19 Relief – </strong>Any unpaid tolls that occurred between March 9 and June 25 during the stay-at-home order will not incur additional fines or fees. </p>
<p>“These changes are long overdue. Pursuing hefty violations is a costly process, and both the Tollway and customers are better served by providing as much opportunity as possible for customers to pay their tolls,” said Alvarez. “That’s why we’re resetting the clock for all outstanding violations as well, to bring them in line with the new rules, and thanks to the Board of Directors, anyone who has unpaid fines will realize significant savings if they pay by the end of the year.”</p>
<p><strong>Reduced Notices –</strong>The Illinois Tollway is implementing a more gradual approach to violations by significantly lowering the initial penalties associated with an unpaid toll. Passenger vehicle owners who fail to pay a toll will now initially face a notice with a $3 invoice fee for each unpaid toll rather than a notice with a $20 violation fine, an 85 percent reduction.</p>
<p>Currently, a $20 fine is assessed for each unpaid toll if left unpaid. That penalty escalates by another $50 if the notice remains unpaid for an additional 60 days. For example, a single trip with five unpaid tolls could cost a passenger vehicle owner more than $100. That same customer will now receive an initial notice with only a $15 invoice fee, in addition to unpaid tolls, and will have 60 days to pay before those fees increase.</p>
<p><strong><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;">Violation Relief –</span></strong> Beginning in July, drivers with current toll violation notices will see each existing penalty reduced to $3 through the end of the year, providing six months for customers to settle violations under the new guidelines. This will include anyone previously sent to collections for outstanding toll violations.</p>
<p><strong>COVID-19 Relief –</strong> The Illinois Tollway has also formalized the grace period for unpaid tolls during the COVID-19 pandemic from March 9 through June 25, ensuring customers will not receive violations for unpaid tolls for the previous three months. Following the deadline, any unpaid passenger vehicle tolls will be aligned with the new unpaid toll invoice process.</p>
<p>“Motorists who may have inadvertently missed a toll during this crisis will not face any penalties associated with those unpaid tolls,” said Alvarez.</p>
<p><strong><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;">What do customers need to know? </span></strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Beginning now, customers looking to take advantage of the significant reduction in fines can simply visit the Tollway’s website to review and pay their updated balances through the end of the year, even if they were previously at collections. No special arrangements are necessary. </li>
<li>Customers with unpaid tolls during the COVID-19 period will receive an invoice for their unpaid tolls only and are able to pay those tolls online as well. </li>
<li>Since the Illinois Tollway is still operating all-electronic toll collection to prevent the spread of COVID-19, customers should remember to pay their tolls online to avoid any fines and fees. </li>
<li>The Illinois Tollway’s online payment system and customer service operations will be offline beginning this evening, June 25, through Sunday, June 28, to make the critical system updates necessary to implement the <em>TOLLING 2020</em> reform and relief package. During this upgrade customers will not incur any violation fines or fees. </li>
</ul>
<p>Read the <em>TOLLING 2020</em> Fact Sheet <a href="/documents/20184/856366/2020-06_Tolling2020-FINAL.pdf/4520a2a0-acef-bb54-6ad7-b5bb8fc7ba7d" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="tpux" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2020-06-25]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Launches Tolling Reform and Relief Package
Display date: 2020-06-25
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="dztq" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"0","groupId":"20184","name":"43421","alt":"202006 MLB for blog-sized.jpg","title":"202006 MLB for blog-sized.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"851393b3-705b-5925-a985-ac907623176e","fileEntryId":"856562","resourcePrimKey":"1142436"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="J47GGiHX" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="mmqo" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Mile Long Bridge Progress Update Featuring Photos and Video]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="9zIHEHJ6" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="ucah" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="5" style="width:400px;">
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<td><a href="https://www.chicagotribune.com/visuals/ct-viz-mile-long-bridge-photos-20200608-d4zam7ukz5fqxkys3irfbzy4g4-photogallery.html" target="_blank"><img alt="" src="/documents/20184/856366/MLB+Trib+Screen+Shot+screenshot.JPG/eabc3fd8-841e-d04c-d506-ce5a99fed52c?t=1592920245348" style="width: 350px;" /></a></td>
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<p>It’s necessary to attack at all angles when rebuilding the Illinois Tollway’s dual-structure Mile Long Bridge in the southwest suburbs of Chicago.</p>
<p>The first of the two new bridge structures is being built for northbound traffic to the east of the existing northbound structure and the Illinois Tollway’s June video offers an update on progress to date. </p>
<p>The logistics of maneuvering in and around the surrounding environmental and man-made obstacles requires precise calculations and coordination to keep the $184.6 million northbound bridge contract on track.</p>
<p>The new bridge is being constructed from the ground, from the existing bridge and from a modular barge built on site using an array of heavy duty cranes, and all the activity was recently captured on drone photos by Chicago Tribune photographer Zbigniew Bzdak. </p>
<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="5" style="width:400px;">
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<td><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fzu3B3-y6RU?rel=0" width="560"></iframe></td>
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</tbody>
</table>
<p>The barge-mounted crane has a more than 50-ton capacity and the ability to lift the longest beams. </p>
<p>A ground-level rough-terrain crane provides the versatility to lift beams of various lengths and weights from unpaved conditions beneath the bridges. </p>
<p>The 1.2 million-lb. fixed-boom crawler cranes operating from the existing bridge are capable of lifting the heaviest of steel beams being erected over a portion of the Cook County Forest Preserve, as well as the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal and the Illinois and Michigan Canal, and can travel and rotate with a full load. </p>
<p>Construction on the new northbound Mile Long Bridge is scheduled to be completed before the end of 2020. Once the northbound bridge is complete, traffic will shift to the new bridge and the old northbound structure will be demolished. Construction will then begin on the new bridge for southbound traffic where the old northbound bridge was located. </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="xaqn" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2020-06-25]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Mile Long Bridge Progress Update Featuring Photos and Video
Display date: 2020-06-25
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="nuij" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"0","groupId":"20184","name":"43428","alt":"Tolling2020-blog_0620-01.jpg","title":"Tolling2020-blog_0620-01.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"fca6eca1-71c2-f7cd-a2a3-de851feedf0b","fileEntryId":"856747","resourcePrimKey":"1142423"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="q4cItVtc" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="zegg" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Lanza Reforma De Peaje Y Paquete De Alivio]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="W2MENAzO" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="kgya" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p><strong><em>TOLLING 2020</em> presentará un nuevo enfoque para los peajes impagos y un alivio para multas pendientes </strong><br />
<br />
Illinois Tollway, la autoridad de peaje en vías, anunció hoy el TOLLING 2020, un paquete integral de reforma de peajes que presenta una reducción significativa de los costos iniciales que enfrentan los conductores cuando los peajes no se pagan. Las medidas también incluyen reducciones significativas en multas para aquellos con infracciones pendientes mientras se formaliza el periodo de alivio de la pandemia de COVID-19, durante el cual no se evaluarán las infracciones por peajes no pagados. <br />
<br />
“Desde el primer día, hemos abogado por un proceso de peaje más equitativo, uno que funcione para los usuarios”, dijo José Alvarez, Director Ejecutivo de Illinois Tollway. “Tenemos un sistema notable de peaje, pero los cambios se retrasaron mucho con respecto a los peajes impagos.” <br />
<br />
<strong>Los aspectos más destacados de los cambios incluyen: </strong><br />
<br />
<strong>Nuevo proceso de facturación</strong>: A partir de hoy, los usuarios con peajes impagos recibirán por correo una factura con un cobro de $3 por peaje no pagado para vehículos de pasajeros en lugar de una infracción inicial de $20, y como siempre, los usuarios pueden continuar evitando las tarifas por completo durante al menos 14 días pagando en línea. <br />
<br />
<strong>Alivio de infracciones</strong>: Durante el resto de 2020, Illinois Tollway reducirá todas las infracciones pendientes con Illinois Tollway, y todas las multas existentes de $20 y $50 por peaje también se reducirán a $3 por peaje, lo que brinda una oportunidad de alivio a miles de conductores. <br />
<br />
<strong>Alivio por COVID-19</strong>: Los peajes impagos que ocurrieron entre el 9 de marzo y el 25 de junio durante la orden de confinamiento no incurrirán en multas o tarifas adicionales. <br />
<br />
“Estos cambios están muy atrasados. Buscar infracciones considerables es un proceso costoso, y tanto las autopistas con peaje como los usuarios están mejor atendidos al brindar la mayor oportunidad posible para que los usuarios paguen sus peajes”, afirmó Alvarez. “Es por eso que estamos realizando ajustes para todas las infracciones pendientes también, para alinearlas con las nuevas reglas, y gracias a la Junta de Directores, cualquier persona que tenga multas impagas obtendrá ahorros significativos si paga al final de el año.” <br />
<br />
<strong>Reducción de notificaciones</strong>: Illinois Tollway está implementando un enfoque más gradual para las infracciones al reducir significativamente las sanciones iniciales asociadas con peajes impagos. Los propietarios de vehículos de pasajeros que no paguen un peaje ahora enfrentarán inicialmente una notificación con una tarifa de facturación de $3 por cada peaje no pagado en lugar de una notificación con una multa por infracción de $20, una reducción del 85 %. <br />
<br />
Actualmente, se aplica una multa de $20 por cada peaje impago si de deja sin pagar. Esa multa aumenta en otros $50 si la notificación no se paga durante 60 días adicionales. Por ejemplo, un solo viaje con cinco peajes impagos podría costarle al propietario de un vehículo de pasajeros más de $100. Ese mismo usuario ahora recibirá una notificación inicial con una tarifa de facturación de apenas $15, además de los peajes impagos, y tendrá 60 días para pagar antes de que esas tarifas aumenten. <br />
<br />
<strong>Alivio de infracciones</strong>: a partir de julio, los conductores con notificaciones de infracciones de peaje actuales verán cada penalización existente reducida a $3 hasta el final del año, lo que proporciona seis meses para que los usuarios resuelvan las violaciones bajo las nuevas pautas. Esto incluirá a cualquier persona enviada previamente al servicio de cobros por infracciones de peaje pendientes. <br />
<br />
<strong>Alivio COVID-19</strong>: Illinois Tollway también ha formalizado el período de gracia para los peajes no pagados durante la pandemia de COVID-19, del 9 de marzo al 25 de junio, asegurando que los usuarios no recibirán infracciones por peajes no pagados durante los últimos tres meses. Después de la fecha límite, los peajes de vehículos de pasajeros no pagados se alinearán con el nuevo proceso para facturas de peaje impagos. <br />
<br />
“Los conductores que hayan pasado por alto un peaje inadvertidamente durante esta crisis no enfrentarán ninguna sanción asociada con esos peajes impagos”, dijo Alvarez. <br />
<br />
<strong>¿Qué deben saber los usuarios?</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>A partir de ahora, los usuarios que deseen aprovechar la reducción significativa de las multas pueden simplemente visitar el sitio web de Tollway para revisar y pagar sus saldos actualizados hasta el final del año, incluso si anteriormente estaban en el servicio de cobros. No se requiere de acciones especiales. </li>
<li>Los usuarios con peajes impagos durante el período COVID-19 recibirán una factura solo por sus peajes impagos y además podrán pagar dichos peajes en línea. </li>
<li>Dado que Illinois Tollway todavía está realizando el cobro de peajes de forma totalmente electrónica para evitar la propagación de la COVID-19, los usuarios deben recordar pagar sus peajes en línea para evitar el cobro de multas y tarifas. </li>
<li><strong>El sistema de pago en línea y las operaciones de servicio al usuario en línea de Illinois Tollway estarán fuera de servicio a partir de esta noche, 25 de junio, hasta el domingo 28 de junio, pues se realizarán actualizaciones importantes del sistema que son necesarias para implementar el paquete de reforma y ayuda TOLLING 2020. Durante esta actualización, los usuarios no incurrirán en ninguna tarifa o multa por infracción. </strong></li>
</ul>
<p>Lea la hoja informativa <strong><em>2020 TOLLING</em></strong> <a href="/documents/20184/856366/Tolling+2020+One+Pager+v2_Spanish.pdf/37006f6b-fac4-3c2d-b785-db8933ffa51a" target="_blank">aquí</a>.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="gghn" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2020-06-25]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Lanza Reforma De Peaje Y Paquete De Alivio
Display date: 2020-06-25
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="zged" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"0","groupId":"20184","name":"43428","alt":"Tolling2020-blog_0620-01.jpg","title":"Tolling2020-blog_0620-01.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"fca6eca1-71c2-f7cd-a2a3-de851feedf0b","fileEntryId":"856747","resourcePrimKey":"1142410"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="pwq0294E" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="zbzd" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Launches Tolling Reform and Relief Package]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="9hnEcwOe" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="hovh" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p><strong>TOLLING 2020 to feature a new approach to unpaid tolls and relief to outstanding fines</strong></p>
<p>The Illinois Tollway today announced <em>TOLLING 2020</em>, a comprehensive tolling reform package featuring a significant reduction to the initial costs faced by motorists when tolls are left unpaid. The measures also include steep reductions in fines for those with outstanding violations while formalizing the COVID-19 pandemic relief period during which no violations will be assessed for unpaid tolls.</p>
<p>“From day one, we’ve advocated for a more equitable tolling process, one that works for the customer,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “We have a remarkable tolling system, but changes were long overdue with regard to unpaid tolls.”</p>
<p><strong>Highlights of the changes include:</strong></p>
<p><strong>New Invoice Process – </strong>Starting today, customers with unpaid tolls will be mailed an invoice with a $3 fee per unpaid toll for passenger vehicles rather than an initial $20 violation, and as always customers can continue to avoid fees completely for at least 14 days by paying online.</p>
<p><strong>Violation Relief – </strong>For the remainder of 2020, the Tollway is reducing all outstanding violations with the Illinois Tollway, and all existing $20 and $50 fines per toll will also be reduced to $3 per toll providing an opportunity for relief to thousands of motorists. </p>
<p><strong>COVID-19 Relief – </strong>Any unpaid tolls that occurred between March 9 and June 25 during the stay-at-home order will not incur additional fines or fees. </p>
<p>“These changes are long overdue. Pursuing hefty violations is a costly process, and both the Tollway and customers are better served by providing as much opportunity as possible for customers to pay their tolls,” said Alvarez. “That’s why we’re resetting the clock for all outstanding violations as well, to bring them in line with the new rules, and thanks to the Board of Directors, anyone who has unpaid fines will realize significant savings if they pay by the end of the year.”</p>
<p><strong>Reduced Notices –</strong>The Illinois Tollway is implementing a more gradual approach to violations by significantly lowering the initial penalties associated with an unpaid toll. Passenger vehicle owners who fail to pay a toll will now initially face a notice with a $3 invoice fee for each unpaid toll rather than a notice with a $20 violation fine, an 85 percent reduction.</p>
<p>Currently, a $20 fine is assessed for each unpaid toll if left unpaid. That penalty escalates by another $50 if the notice remains unpaid for an additional 60 days. For example, a single trip with five unpaid tolls could cost a passenger vehicle owner more than $100. That same customer will now receive an initial notice with only a $15 invoice fee, in addition to unpaid tolls, and will have 60 days to pay before those fees increase.</p>
<p><strong><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;">Violation Relief –</span></strong> Beginning in July, drivers with current toll violation notices will see each existing penalty reduced to $3 through the end of the year, providing six months for customers to settle violations under the new guidelines. This will include anyone previously sent to collections for outstanding toll violations.</p>
<p><strong>COVID-19 Relief –</strong> The Illinois Tollway has also formalized the grace period for unpaid tolls during the COVID-19 pandemic from March 9 through June 25, ensuring customers will not receive violations for unpaid tolls for the previous three months. Following the deadline, any unpaid passenger vehicle tolls will be aligned with the new unpaid toll invoice process.</p>
<p>“Motorists who may have inadvertently missed a toll during this crisis will not face any penalties associated with those unpaid tolls,” said Alvarez.</p>
<p><strong><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;">What do customers need to know? </span></strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Beginning now, customers looking to take advantage of the significant reduction in fines can simply visit the Tollway’s website to review and pay their updated balances through the end of the year, even if they were previously at collections. No special arrangements are necessary. </li>
<li>Customers with unpaid tolls during the COVID-19 period will receive an invoice for their unpaid tolls only and are able to pay those tolls online as well. </li>
<li>Since the Illinois Tollway is still operating all-electronic toll collection to prevent the spread of COVID-19, customers should remember to pay their tolls online to avoid any fines and fees. </li>
<li>The Illinois Tollway’s online payment system and customer service operations will be offline beginning this evening, June 25, through Sunday, June 28, to make the critical system updates necessary to implement the <em>TOLLING 2020</em> reform and relief package. During this upgrade customers will not incur any violation fines or fees. </li>
</ul>
<p>Read the <em>TOLLING 2020</em> Fact Sheet <a href="/documents/20184/856366/2020-06_Tolling2020-FINAL.pdf/4520a2a0-acef-bb54-6ad7-b5bb8fc7ba7d" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="bini" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2020-06-25]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Launches Tolling Reform and Relief Package
Display date: 2020-06-25
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="bzbs" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Construction Airport Blog Header.jpg","name":"Construction Airport Blog Header.jpg","width":"","description":"Construction Airport Blog Header.jpg","title":"Construction Airport Blog Header.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"e6edac62-463d-bd94-73f1-be83d8facde2","fileEntryId":"849437","resourcePrimKey":"1228249","url":"/documents/20184/848641/Construction%20Airport%20Blog%20Header.jpg/e6edac62-463d-bd94-73f1-be83d8facde2?t=1590076794638","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="YVDU0rGm" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="qbnx" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Tollway Railroad Agreements Pave the Way for New I-490 Tollway and Western Access]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="WNetXPCi" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="svhm" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p><strong>Canadian Pacific And Union Pacific Supporting New Road and Interchange Construction</strong></p>
<p>The Illinois Tollway Board of Directors has approved agreements with Soo Line Railroad Company d/b/a Canadian Pacific and Union Pacific Railroad representing the next major step forward for the I-490 Tollway Project. </p>
<p>“Improving and updating infrastructure across the state has been a top priority for my administration from the very beginning and this new agreement provides a clear path forward for a long-awaited project,” said <strong>Governor JB Pritzker</strong>. “After years of false starts and unfulfilled plans, the I-490 Tollway Project can now achieve its goals of improving access to O’Hare International Airport for businesses and communities and providing needed employment opportunities for workers.”</p>
<p>The railroads will allow the mutual exchange of property rights necessary for construction of the new I-490 Tollway extending south from the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) to the Tri-State Tollway (I-294) with interchanges creating new access into and around O’Hare International Airport and will enable improvements to rail operations in the Chicago Terminal area. </p>
<p>“Today we mark a significant breakthrough in the Illinois Tollway’s longstanding effort to deliver the Elgin O’Hare Western Access Project,” said <strong>Tollway Board of Directors Chairman Will Evans</strong>. “Thanks to the leadership of this administration, as well as the dogged persistence of our federal, state and local stakeholders, our collective goal of delivering western access to O’Hare is that much closer.” </p>
<p>“Negotiations for these long-sought agreements began in 2012, and their complexity reflects the importance of the area to the railroads, as well as our own efforts to complete the Move Illinois Capital Program,” said <strong>Executive Director José Alvarez</strong>. “Our cooperation represents a substantial step toward the modernization of Illinois’ road and railway infrastructure to invigorate the communities and businesses in the region.”</p>
<p>Construction of the new I-490 Tollway is planned to cross the Union Pacific Railroad at several locations, including where western access into and out of O’Hare International Airport is planned, as well as near the Tri-State Tollway (I-294) at the location of the future I-490/I-294 Interchange. The new I-490 Tollway is also planned to cross over the Canadian Pacific at several locations including where western access to the airport is planned and in the Canadian Pacific’s Bensenville Yard. The project will require relocating Canadian Pacific trackage south of the yard. </p>
<p>The agreements provide the Tollway with property rights that will advance adjacent projects supporting construction of Cook County’s planned improvements to Touhy Avenue, which include replacement of the at-grade crossing at the Union Pacific Railroad with a new bridge that will relieve congestion and improve access to the north side of O’Hare International Airport. </p>
<p>“The mutual benefits that will flow from these agreements are the result of cooperation and respect for one another’s needs," said <strong>Mark Redd, Canadian Pacific’s Executive Vice President of Operations</strong>. "We are excited that the forms of agreement will help the Tollway meet the needs of the travelling public of Northeast Illinois, and enable improvements to the rail network which will contribute to Chicago’s economy and help position Canadian Pacific to meet future demand for freight rail service.” </p>
<p>The new I-490 Tollway, scheduled to be complete by the end of 2025, coupled with the Illinois Route 390 Tollway which was completed in 2017, will connect businesses and communities with one of the nation’s busiest airports, transit facilities, major freight transportation hubs, distribution centers and multiple interstate highways including the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) and the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294).</p>
<p>Designed to accommodate access into the O’Hare International Airport, the two new all-electronic Tollways include 17 miles of new roads with 15 new or improved interchanges. The new I-490 Tollway will be built to carry north-south traffic around the western border of O'Hare and provide access to the airport. The Illinois Route 390 Tollway, which currently carries east-west traffic between Lake Street (Illinois Route 20) and Illinois Route 83, will include an interchange connection to the new I-490 Tollway.</p>
<p><strong>What area leaders are saying:</strong></p>
<p>“The Elgin O’Hare Western Access Project will bring significant economic benefits to the region by creating jobs, reducing congestion, increasing connectivity, and improving transportation infrastructure in Illinois. After years of working with the delegation and the Tollway to advance this project, I’m pleased we are one step closer to finally getting this project across the finish line,” said <strong>U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL)</strong>.</p>
<p>“The Elgin O’Hare Western Access Project is vital to the future of northeastern Illinois’s transportation network, and today’s vote is a critical milestone toward construction of this project. I’m encouraged by the progress between the Illinois Tollway, Canadian Pacific and Union Pacific Railroad, and I will continue to help this important project move toward completion,” said <strong>U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)</strong>.</p>
<p>“Today’s announcement about the path forward for the Elgin O’Hare Project is, at long last, a significant win for our entire region. This agreement is the result of months, if not years, of hard work and good faith by all sides. The agreement will help ease travel around O’Hare, cut down on rail congestion that’s bad for the freight companies and my constituents, and make access to the airport easier and smoother for thousands of Chicagoland residents,” said <strong>U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05)</strong>.</p>
<p>“The Elgin O’Hare Western Access Project is among the most important economic and infrastructures projects in my district, and I’m very happy that the Illinois Tollway, Canadian Pacific, and Union Pacific Railroad are taking this crucial step forward. I am grateful to have helped facilitate the resolution of issues necessary to get to this point. Completing Western Access is a top priority for my constituents because of the thousands of jobs, increased tax revenue, and reduced traffic it will create for our region,” said <strong>U.S. Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08)</strong>.</p>
<p>“This action brings DuPage County one step closer to realizing the benefits of improved transit to and from O’Hare Airport. Additionally, the completion of the I-490 Tollway will create thousands of jobs and economic opportunity on the west side of the airport, further benefiting our region. We welcome the agreements and we will continue to advocate with all parties involved toward improved western access to O’Hare International Airport,” said <strong>DuPage County Board Chairman Dan Cronin</strong>. </p>
<p>“I’d like to thank the Tollway Board and staff for their diligent work on this matter. These negotiations have spanned three administrations, and the Governor and his team deserve credit for getting this agreement over the finish line,” said <strong>Franklin Park Mayor Barrett Pedersen</strong>.</p>
<p>"The Western Access Corridor Project has the potential to create over 65,000 jobs and reduce traffic congestion while creating a state-of-the-art regional transportation network that improves access to the nation’s busiest airport. ACEC Illinois applauds the successful efforts of Illinois Tollway Chairman Will Evans and Executive Director José Alvarez for finalizing this critical agreement and advancing what is considered a "Project of National and Regional Significance" by federal transportation legislation. Because of the hard work and diligence of Tollway leadership, this essential project is now one-step closer to completion," said <strong>Kevin Artl, President and CEO of the American Council of Engineering Companies of Illinois</strong>.</p>
<p><strong>Additional Information</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/656206/2019-01_EOWA_490-390Projects_OnePager.pdf/295a69ab-ea63-4001-bb9a-63e479b2a1e2" target="_blank">More about I-490</a><br />
<a href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/projects/490/interchange" target="_blank">More about the western access interchange</a></p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="fqix" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2020-05-21]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Tollway Railroad Agreements Pave the Way for New I-490 Tollway and Western Access
Display date: 2020-05-21
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="kxcx" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"0","groupId":"20184","name":"42836","alt":"Construction Airport Blog Header.jpg","title":"Construction Airport Blog Header.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"e6edac62-463d-bd94-73f1-be83d8facde2","fileEntryId":"849437","resourcePrimKey":"1142449"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="VHy2LxRV" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="uggt" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Tollway Railroad Agreements Pave the Way for New I-490 Tollway and Western Access]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="mwG7OFY1" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="bxnr" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p><strong>Canadian Pacific And Union Pacific Supporting New Road and Interchange Construction</strong></p>
<p>The Illinois Tollway Board of Directors has approved agreements with Soo Line Railroad Company d/b/a Canadian Pacific and Union Pacific Railroad representing the next major step forward for the I-490 Tollway Project. </p>
<p>“Improving and updating infrastructure across the state has been a top priority for my administration from the very beginning and this new agreement provides a clear path forward for a long-awaited project,” said <strong>Governor JB Pritzker</strong>. “After years of false starts and unfulfilled plans, the I-490 Tollway Project can now achieve its goals of improving access to O’Hare International Airport for businesses and communities and providing needed employment opportunities for workers.”</p>
<p>The railroads will allow the mutual exchange of property rights necessary for construction of the new I-490 Tollway extending south from the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) to the Tri-State Tollway (I-294) with interchanges creating new access into and around O’Hare International Airport and will enable improvements to rail operations in the Chicago Terminal area. </p>
<p>“Today we mark a significant breakthrough in the Illinois Tollway’s longstanding effort to deliver the Elgin O’Hare Western Access Project,” said <strong>Tollway Board of Directors Chairman Will Evans</strong>. “Thanks to the leadership of this administration, as well as the dogged persistence of our federal, state and local stakeholders, our collective goal of delivering western access to O’Hare is that much closer.” </p>
<p>“Negotiations for these long-sought agreements began in 2012, and their complexity reflects the importance of the area to the railroads, as well as our own efforts to complete the Move Illinois Capital Program,” said <strong>Executive Director José Alvarez</strong>. “Our cooperation represents a substantial step toward the modernization of Illinois’ road and railway infrastructure to invigorate the communities and businesses in the region.”</p>
<p>Construction of the new I-490 Tollway is planned to cross the Union Pacific Railroad at several locations, including where western access into and out of O’Hare International Airport is planned, as well as near the Tri-State Tollway (I-294) at the location of the future I-490/I-294 Interchange. The new I-490 Tollway is also planned to cross over the Canadian Pacific at several locations including where western access to the airport is planned and in the Canadian Pacific’s Bensenville Yard. The project will require relocating Canadian Pacific trackage south of the yard. </p>
<p>The agreements provide the Tollway with property rights that will advance adjacent projects supporting construction of Cook County’s planned improvements to Touhy Avenue, which include replacement of the at-grade crossing at the Union Pacific Railroad with a new bridge that will relieve congestion and improve access to the north side of O’Hare International Airport. </p>
<p>“The mutual benefits that will flow from these agreements are the result of cooperation and respect for one another’s needs," said <strong>Mark Redd, Canadian Pacific’s Executive Vice President of Operations</strong>. "We are excited that the forms of agreement will help the Tollway meet the needs of the travelling public of Northeast Illinois, and enable improvements to the rail network which will contribute to Chicago’s economy and help position Canadian Pacific to meet future demand for freight rail service.” </p>
<p>The new I-490 Tollway, scheduled to be complete by the end of 2025, coupled with the Illinois Route 390 Tollway which was completed in 2017, will connect businesses and communities with one of the nation’s busiest airports, transit facilities, major freight transportation hubs, distribution centers and multiple interstate highways including the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) and the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294).</p>
<p>Designed to accommodate access into the O’Hare International Airport, the two new all-electronic Tollways include 17 miles of new roads with 15 new or improved interchanges. The new I-490 Tollway will be built to carry north-south traffic around the western border of O'Hare and provide access to the airport. The Illinois Route 390 Tollway, which currently carries east-west traffic between Lake Street (Illinois Route 20) and Illinois Route 83, will include an interchange connection to the new I-490 Tollway.</p>
<p><strong>What area leaders are saying:</strong></p>
<p>“The Elgin O’Hare Western Access Project will bring significant economic benefits to the region by creating jobs, reducing congestion, increasing connectivity, and improving transportation infrastructure in Illinois. After years of working with the delegation and the Tollway to advance this project, I’m pleased we are one step closer to finally getting this project across the finish line,” said <strong>U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL)</strong>.</p>
<p>“The Elgin O’Hare Western Access Project is vital to the future of northeastern Illinois’s transportation network, and today’s vote is a critical milestone toward construction of this project. I’m encouraged by the progress between the Illinois Tollway, Canadian Pacific and Union Pacific Railroad, and I will continue to help this important project move toward completion,” said <strong>U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)</strong>.</p>
<p>“Today’s announcement about the path forward for the Elgin O’Hare Project is, at long last, a significant win for our entire region. This agreement is the result of months, if not years, of hard work and good faith by all sides. The agreement will help ease travel around O’Hare, cut down on rail congestion that’s bad for the freight companies and my constituents, and make access to the airport easier and smoother for thousands of Chicagoland residents,” said <strong>U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05)</strong>.</p>
<p>“The Elgin O’Hare Western Access Project is among the most important economic and infrastructures projects in my district, and I’m very happy that the Illinois Tollway, Canadian Pacific, and Union Pacific Railroad are taking this crucial step forward. I am grateful to have helped facilitate the resolution of issues necessary to get to this point. Completing Western Access is a top priority for my constituents because of the thousands of jobs, increased tax revenue, and reduced traffic it will create for our region,” said <strong>U.S. Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08)</strong>.</p>
<p>“This action brings DuPage County one step closer to realizing the benefits of improved transit to and from O’Hare Airport. Additionally, the completion of the I-490 Tollway will create thousands of jobs and economic opportunity on the west side of the airport, further benefiting our region. We welcome the agreements and we will continue to advocate with all parties involved toward improved western access to O’Hare International Airport,” said <strong>DuPage County Board Chairman Dan Cronin</strong>. </p>
<p>“I’d like to thank the Tollway Board and staff for their diligent work on this matter. These negotiations have spanned three administrations, and the Governor and his team deserve credit for getting this agreement over the finish line,” said <strong>Franklin Park Mayor Barrett Pedersen</strong>.</p>
<p>"The Western Access Corridor Project has the potential to create over 65,000 jobs and reduce traffic congestion while creating a state-of-the-art regional transportation network that improves access to the nation’s busiest airport. ACEC Illinois applauds the successful efforts of Illinois Tollway Chairman Will Evans and Executive Director José Alvarez for finalizing this critical agreement and advancing what is considered a "Project of National and Regional Significance" by federal transportation legislation. Because of the hard work and diligence of Tollway leadership, this essential project is now one-step closer to completion," said <strong>Kevin Artl, President and CEO of the American Council of Engineering Companies of Illinois</strong>.</p>
<p><strong>Additional Information</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/656206/2019-01_EOWA_490-390Projects_OnePager.pdf/295a69ab-ea63-4001-bb9a-63e479b2a1e2" target="_blank">More about I-490</a><br />
<a href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/projects/490/interchange" target="_blank">More about the western access interchange</a></p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="bfon" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2020-05-21]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Tollway Railroad Agreements Pave the Way for New I-490 Tollway and Western Access
Display date: 2020-05-21
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<td><img alt="" src="/documents/20184/848641/BNSF+Graphic_0520.jpg/e4c7c539-cdc5-df6a-60eb-7e72b03724fd?t=1589489290438" style="width: 350px;" /></td>
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<p>The Illinois Tollway is turning to advanced construction techniques to help keep traffic flowing and trains moving while a new Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway Bridge is built over the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294).</p>
<p>A key to the construction of the temporary, bypass bridge will be assembling segments of the span next to I-294 and then using a self-propelled modular transporter (SPMT) to lift and maneuver the completed portions of the bridge into place over the roadway.</p>
<p>Using those techniques will significantly reduce the impact on Tollway customers by requiring few lane closures on I-294 while the bypass or “shoefly” bridge is being installed above it.</p>
<p>“We’re always looking to work with our contractors to encourage innovation, reduce construction time and deliver projects more efficiently,” <span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “In this case, our team is excited to see this new approach on this unique and challenging project.</span></p>
<p>The Tollway is constructing a shoefly bridge that will allow commuter and freight trains to continue operating without interruption while the BNSF Railway Bridge is being removed and replaced. The Tollway is removing the existing three-track BNSF Bridge and replacing it with a longer, wider, two-span steel beam structure that will accommodate four tracks and allow the Tollway underneath to be widened and improved.</p>
<p>To build the shoefly bridge, construction crews working in roadside staging areas will assemble bridge segments from steel beams while they are safely away from traffic. Using roadside staging areas also allows them to work during the day without interruptions and near ground level <span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; color: black; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;">in a safer environment.</span></p>
<p>Once all six segments required for the shoefly bridge are assembled, crews will use an SPMT vehicle – a combination of multi-axle platforms operated through a computer-controlled system – to lift, carry, and set the very large and heavy segments of bridge beams into place. The motorized vehicle moves at walking speed and is capable of carrying the large structures and positioning them precisely into final position.</p>
<p>Using the SPMT technology will allow the Tollway to reduce the major impact of construction on its customers by installing all six segments over two weekends, compared to the two months of overnight and weekend lane closures with full stops that typically would be required if the bridge were constructed using conventional building techniques.</p>
<p>Delivery of materials to the jobsite located just south of the BNSF Bridge is scheduled to begin in May and workers will start the process of assembling approximately 24 steel girders into six bridge segments. This work is anticipated to continue through June.</p>
<p>After assembly is complete, the Tollway will schedule two weekends of extended closures this summer on the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) for bridge segment installation with the SPMT vehicle on one side of the Tollway at a time. One weekend of closures will allow the Tollway to reduce I-294 northbound traffic into a single a counterflow lane on the southbound side. The second weekend of closures will allow the Tollway to reduce I-294 southbound traffic into a single a counterflow lane on the northbound side.</p>
<p>The Illinois Tollway is reconstructing the BNSF Railway Bridge, which carries the triple-track railroad over I-294 between Hinsdale and Western Springs, to accommodate the reconstruction and widening of the Central Tri-State Tollway. The existing bridge will be replaced with a longer, wider two-span steel beam structure that will accommodate four tracks and will allow for reconstruction and widening of the Tollway underneath. The new fourth track on the bridge will be used for maintenance purposes by BNSF. </p>
<p>The BNSF Railway Bridge Project is being coordinated with Metra, Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway and Cook County, along with local municipalities, park districts, as well as police and fire departments. </p>
<p>The work is part of the Illinois Tollway’s 15-year, $14 billion capital program, Move Illinois: The Illinois Tollway Driving the Future. Construction information about the BNSF Bridge Project is available in the Projects section on the Tollway’s website <a href="/projects/tri-state/bnsf-bridge" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="vrff" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2020-05-14]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Using Innovative Construction Keeps Trains & Traffic Moving
Display date: 2020-05-14
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<td><img alt="" src="/documents/20184/848641/BNSF+Graphic_0520.jpg/e4c7c539-cdc5-df6a-60eb-7e72b03724fd?t=1589489290438" style="width: 350px;" /></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>The Illinois Tollway is turning to advanced construction techniques to help keep traffic flowing and trains moving while a new Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway Bridge is built over the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294).</p>
<p>A key to the construction of the temporary, bypass bridge will be assembling segments of the span next to I-294 and then using a self-propelled modular transporter (SPMT) to lift and maneuver the completed portions of the bridge into place over the roadway.</p>
<p>Using those techniques will significantly reduce the impact on Tollway customers by requiring few lane closures on I-294 while the bypass or “shoefly” bridge is being installed above it.</p>
<p>“We’re always looking to work with our contractors to encourage innovation, reduce construction time and deliver projects more efficiently,” <span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “In this case, our team is excited to see this new approach on this unique and challenging project.</span></p>
<p>The Tollway is constructing a shoefly bridge that will allow commuter and freight trains to continue operating without interruption while the BNSF Railway Bridge is being removed and replaced. The Tollway is removing the existing three-track BNSF Bridge and replacing it with a longer, wider, two-span steel beam structure that will accommodate four tracks and allow the Tollway underneath to be widened and improved.</p>
<p>To build the shoefly bridge, construction crews working in roadside staging areas will assemble bridge segments from steel beams while they are safely away from traffic. Using roadside staging areas also allows them to work during the day without interruptions and near ground level <span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; color: black; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;">in a safer environment.</span></p>
<p>Once all six segments required for the shoefly bridge are assembled, crews will use an SPMT vehicle – a combination of multi-axle platforms operated through a computer-controlled system – to lift, carry, and set the very large and heavy segments of bridge beams into place. The motorized vehicle moves at walking speed and is capable of carrying the large structures and positioning them precisely into final position.</p>
<p>Using the SPMT technology will allow the Tollway to reduce the major impact of construction on its customers by installing all six segments over two weekends, compared to the two months of overnight and weekend lane closures with full stops that typically would be required if the bridge were constructed using conventional building techniques.</p>
<p>Delivery of materials to the jobsite located just south of the BNSF Bridge is scheduled to begin in May and workers will start the process of assembling approximately 24 steel girders into six bridge segments. This work is anticipated to continue through June.</p>
<p>After assembly is complete, the Tollway will schedule two weekends of extended closures this summer on the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) for bridge segment installation with the SPMT vehicle on one side of the Tollway at a time. One weekend of closures will allow the Tollway to reduce I-294 northbound traffic into a single a counterflow lane on the southbound side. The second weekend of closures will allow the Tollway to reduce I-294 southbound traffic into a single a counterflow lane on the northbound side.</p>
<p>The Illinois Tollway is reconstructing the BNSF Railway Bridge, which carries the triple-track railroad over I-294 between Hinsdale and Western Springs, to accommodate the reconstruction and widening of the Central Tri-State Tollway. The existing bridge will be replaced with a longer, wider two-span steel beam structure that will accommodate four tracks and will allow for reconstruction and widening of the Tollway underneath. The new fourth track on the bridge will be used for maintenance purposes by BNSF. </p>
<p>The BNSF Railway Bridge Project is being coordinated with Metra, Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway and Cook County, along with local municipalities, park districts, as well as police and fire departments. </p>
<p>The work is part of the Illinois Tollway’s 15-year, $14 billion capital program, Move Illinois: The Illinois Tollway Driving the Future. Construction information about the BNSF Bridge Project is available in the Projects section on the Tollway’s website <a href="/projects/tri-state/bnsf-bridge" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="tvpu" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2020-05-14]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Using Innovative Construction Keeps Trains & Traffic Moving
Display date: 2020-05-14
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="kmlo" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Workzone 2020.png","name":"Workzone 2020.png","width":"","description":"Workzone 2020.png","title":"Workzone 2020.png","type":"journal","uuid":"993389e1-94d0-47d1-b4cf-4004de17f0bc","fileEntryId":"841697","resourcePrimKey":"1228275","url":"/documents/20184/841693/Workzone%202020.png/993389e1-94d0-47d1-b4cf-4004de17f0bc?t=1587387556331","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="bSDGM1zd" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="qjjr" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Together, We Can Make Work Zones Safer for Drivers and Workers]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="wkVYEkdK" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="fsia" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Warmer spring weather means more road construction and work zones on the Illinois Tollway—and that means drivers need to step up their focus on safety.</p>
<p>The Tollway is marking National Work Zone Awareness Week from April 20-24 by urging drivers to slow down and watch out for workers, construction equipment, and unexpected changes in traffic and roadway conditions whenever they approach a work zone.</p>
<p>Partnering with the Federal Highway Administration and other transportation agencies, the Tollway is reminding drivers to help provide “Safe Work Zones for All: We can do it.”</p>
<p>“This is an unusual time for all of us. We have far less traffic in our work zones, which makes work zone safety awareness more critical than ever,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “Construction is still occurring all along our system, and drivers need to slow down, be alert for new traffic patterns, and always follow posted speed limits for the safety of workers, first-responders and other drivers.”</p>
<p>Illinois averaged more than 5,100 work zone crashes annually between 2014 and 2018. Those crashes injured nearly 1,400 people every year. Since 2015, 168 people have died in work zone crashes in Illinois.</p>
<p>Drivers can help reduce those numbers by taking a few simple precautions:</p>
<p><strong>Slow Down:</strong> Speeding can lead to crashes with other vehicles, particularly in work zones where traffic can stop or slow down with little warning. In 2018, more than 20 percent of fatal work zone crashes involved rear-end collisions.</p>
<p>Always follow posted work zone speed limits, even if no workers are present.</p>
<p><strong>Stay Focused:</strong> Put down your cellphone and watch the road. Work zones and traffic patterns can change daily.</p>
<p><strong>Be Prepared:</strong> Before getting behind the wheel, check phone apps, the Illinois Tollway website and online information provided by other transportation agencies to determine if construction is occurring along your planned route.</p>
<p>If it is, consider taking a different route or changing your departure time to avoid traveling through work zones during peak travel times.</p>
<p><strong>Watch for Workers:</strong> Be alert for construction workers and equipment near active traffic lanes. Obey warning signs, watch for traffic barrels and barriers indicating temporary traffic shifts.</p>
<p>Together, we can make work zones safer for drivers and workers.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="jicv" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2020-04-20]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Together, We Can Make Work Zones Safer for Drivers and Workers
Display date: 2020-04-20
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="umzs" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"0","groupId":"20184","name":"42315","alt":"Workzone 2020.png","title":"Workzone 2020.png","type":"journal","uuid":"993389e1-94d0-47d1-b4cf-4004de17f0bc","fileEntryId":"841697","resourcePrimKey":"1142475"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="CaRddJSu" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="bosl" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Together, We Can Make Work Zones Safer for Drivers and Workers]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="QZLP5XtC" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="uail" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Warmer spring weather means more road construction and work zones on the Illinois Tollway—and that means drivers need to step up their focus on safety.</p>
<p>The Tollway is marking National Work Zone Awareness Week from April 20-24 by urging drivers to slow down and watch out for workers, construction equipment, and unexpected changes in traffic and roadway conditions whenever they approach a work zone.</p>
<p>Partnering with the Federal Highway Administration and other transportation agencies, the Tollway is reminding drivers to help provide “Safe Work Zones for All: We can do it.”</p>
<p>“This is an unusual time for all of us. We have far less traffic in our work zones, which makes work zone safety awareness more critical than ever,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “Construction is still occurring all along our system, and drivers need to slow down, be alert for new traffic patterns, and always follow posted speed limits for the safety of workers, first-responders and other drivers.”</p>
<p>Illinois averaged more than 5,100 work zone crashes annually between 2014 and 2018. Those crashes injured nearly 1,400 people every year. Since 2015, 168 people have died in work zone crashes in Illinois.</p>
<p>Drivers can help reduce those numbers by taking a few simple precautions:</p>
<p><strong>Slow Down:</strong> Speeding can lead to crashes with other vehicles, particularly in work zones where traffic can stop or slow down with little warning. In 2018, more than 20 percent of fatal work zone crashes involved rear-end collisions.</p>
<p>Always follow posted work zone speed limits, even if no workers are present.</p>
<p><strong>Stay Focused:</strong> Put down your cellphone and watch the road. Work zones and traffic patterns can change daily.</p>
<p><strong>Be Prepared:</strong> Before getting behind the wheel, check phone apps, the Illinois Tollway website and online information provided by other transportation agencies to determine if construction is occurring along your planned route.</p>
<p>If it is, consider taking a different route or changing your departure time to avoid traveling through work zones during peak travel times.</p>
<p><strong>Watch for Workers:</strong> Be alert for construction workers and equipment near active traffic lanes. Obey warning signs, watch for traffic barrels and barriers indicating temporary traffic shifts.</p>
<p>Together, we can make work zones safer for drivers and workers.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="ytkn" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2020-04-20]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Together, We Can Make Work Zones Safer for Drivers and Workers
Display date: 2020-04-20
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="exue" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"CA Garden.png","name":"CA Garden.png","width":"","description":"CA Garden.png","title":"CA Garden.png","type":"journal","uuid":"4b2b9d5e-8bf6-4319-bf2a-89a784b5d9be","fileEntryId":"842570","resourcePrimKey":"1228288","url":"/documents/20184/841693/CA%20Garden.png/4b2b9d5e-8bf6-4319-bf2a-89a784b5d9be?t=1587561146844","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="sVkofqKa" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="cgxp" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Celebrates 50th Anniversary of Earth Day]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="X0dRVNMS" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="uuoi" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway is recognizing the 50<sup>th</sup> anniversary of Earth Day as a time for action to continue to minimize the environmental impact of roadway construction and maintenance by respecting the environment and making investments with benefits for today and for future generations.</p>
<p>The first Earth Day on April 22, 1970, mobilized 20 million Americans from all walks of life to call for greater protections for the environment. The passage of the landmark Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act and many other groundbreaking environmental laws soon followed. Today, more than 1 billion people participate in Earth Day activities each year, making it the world’s largest civic observance.</p>
<p>The Tollway commits to environmental responsibility and sustainability – from planning through design and through construction, maintenance and operations of the five toll roads that make up the 294-mile system throughout Northern Illinois.</p>
<p>The agency forged a partnership with The Morton Arboretum and the Chicago Trees Initiative to plant 58,000 trees and shrubs throughout the Tollway system as part of its landscape master plan to increase the regional tree canopy and develop new approaches to planting trees along stressful roadway conditions.</p>
<p>Working with The Conservation Foundation, with input from the Xerces Society, local nurseries and the Illinois Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Tollway developed a unique seed mix for use along Tollway right-of-way. These efforts are part of the agency’s pollinator program to enhance and create habitat for monarch butterflies and other important pollinators along roadsides throughout the 12 counties the Tollway serves.</p>
<p>As part of the Illinois Tollway’s efforts to offset the impacts of roadway construction on local and regional natural resources, environmental mitigation has taken place, and continues to take place, throughout the counties served by the Tollway. The goal of wetland mitigation is to restore and improve natural resources that are impacted during construction.</p>
<p>This has been accomplished through the re-establishment of historic wetlands and the enhancement of existing wetlands, as well as through stream restoration, the control of invasive plant species and native planting and seeding programs. Wetlands provide a variety of important ecosystem services, such as storing floodwaters, cleaning and recharging groundwater, sequestering carbon, trapping sediment, and filtering pollutants for clean water</p>
<p>The Tollway also is committed to using renewable energy and green technologies. The agency is installing LED lighting on all new construction projects and converting all existing lighting fixtures from traditional high-pressure solution lighting to LED lighting to improve visibility, drive energy efficiencies and reduce maintenance. The Tollway is replacing its 60-year-old maintenance facilities with new facilities that exceed state requirements for LEED Silver certification for energy-efficient design and construction, reusing and recycling at least 75 percent of construction waste on site and using recycled content and regional materials.</p>
<p>Click <a href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/sustainability">here</a> for details about the Illinois Tollway’s sustainability efforts.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="iehe" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2020-03-17]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Celebrates 50th Anniversary of Earth Day
Display date: 2020-03-17
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="oskd" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"0","groupId":"20184","name":"42329","alt":"CA Garden.png","title":"CA Garden.png","type":"journal","uuid":"4b2b9d5e-8bf6-4319-bf2a-89a784b5d9be","fileEntryId":"842570","resourcePrimKey":"1142488"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="ZTSgZjeb" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="rsrg" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Celebrates 50th Anniversary of Earth Day]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="1VeBq1eb" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="ensh" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway is recognizing the 50<sup>th</sup> anniversary of Earth Day as a time for action to continue to minimize the environmental impact of roadway construction and maintenance by respecting the environment and making investments with benefits for today and for future generations.</p>
<p>The first Earth Day on April 22, 1970, mobilized 20 million Americans from all walks of life to call for greater protections for the environment. The passage of the landmark Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act and many other groundbreaking environmental laws soon followed. Today, more than 1 billion people participate in Earth Day activities each year, making it the world’s largest civic observance.</p>
<p>The Tollway commits to environmental responsibility and sustainability – from planning through design and through construction, maintenance and operations of the five toll roads that make up the 294-mile system throughout Northern Illinois.</p>
<p>The agency forged a partnership with The Morton Arboretum and the Chicago Trees Initiative to plant 58,000 trees and shrubs throughout the Tollway system as part of its landscape master plan to increase the regional tree canopy and develop new approaches to planting trees along stressful roadway conditions.</p>
<p>Working with The Conservation Foundation, with input from the Xerces Society, local nurseries and the Illinois Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Tollway developed a unique seed mix for use along Tollway right-of-way. These efforts are part of the agency’s pollinator program to enhance and create habitat for monarch butterflies and other important pollinators along roadsides throughout the 12 counties the Tollway serves.</p>
<p>As part of the Illinois Tollway’s efforts to offset the impacts of roadway construction on local and regional natural resources, environmental mitigation has taken place, and continues to take place, throughout the counties served by the Tollway. The goal of wetland mitigation is to restore and improve natural resources that are impacted during construction.</p>
<p>This has been accomplished through the re-establishment of historic wetlands and the enhancement of existing wetlands, as well as through stream restoration, the control of invasive plant species and native planting and seeding programs. Wetlands provide a variety of important ecosystem services, such as storing floodwaters, cleaning and recharging groundwater, sequestering carbon, trapping sediment, and filtering pollutants for clean water</p>
<p>The Tollway also is committed to using renewable energy and green technologies. The agency is installing LED lighting on all new construction projects and converting all existing lighting fixtures from traditional high-pressure solution lighting to LED lighting to improve visibility, drive energy efficiencies and reduce maintenance. The Tollway is replacing its 60-year-old maintenance facilities with new facilities that exceed state requirements for LEED Silver certification for energy-efficient design and construction, reusing and recycling at least 75 percent of construction waste on site and using recycled content and regional materials.</p>
<p>Click <a href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/sustainability">here</a> for details about the Illinois Tollway’s sustainability efforts.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="ryim" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2020-03-17]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Celebrates 50th Anniversary of Earth Day
Display date: 2020-03-17
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="seca" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Gantries at night.jpg","name":"Gantries at night.jpg","width":"","description":"Gantries at night.jpg","title":"Gantries at night.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"f236095f-3458-412c-8902-8283f8658a14","fileEntryId":"832843","resourcePrimKey":"1228301","url":"/documents/20184/154091/Gantries%20at%20night.jpg/f236095f-3458-412c-8902-8283f8658a14?t=1584137402520","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="DmcOIeiL" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="kaud" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway to Implement All-Electronic Tolling As Precaution Against Spread of Coronavirus]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="dJKRvZMl" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="biyh" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><em><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;">Drivers advised to use I-PASS, E-ZPass or pay online at </span></em><a href="http://www.illinoistollway.com"><em><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;">www.illinoistollway.com</span></em></a></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"> </p>
<p style="margin-bottom:.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">In an effort to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus in the region, the Illinois Tollway will temporarily implement all-electronic tolling as a precaution to </span><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;">limit the potential spread of coronavirus to customers, as well as Tollway employees.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:.0001pt;"> </p>
<p style="margin-bottom:.0001pt;"><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;">“We are closely monitoring reports and advisories provided by the Illinois Department of Public Health and are fully focused on protecting the health and safety of the public,” said Executive Director José Alvarez. “At all points on our system, all customers should be advised to keep moving and not stop at toll plazas.” </span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:.0001pt;"> </p>
<p style="margin-bottom:.0001pt;"><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;">All Illinois Tollway roadways will remain open to traffic; however, over the next 24 hours toll booths at mainline toll plazas will be taken offline, and automatic toll payment machines at ramp and mainline toll plazas will be deactivated. The Tollway’s maintenance staff, incident management personnel and HELP truck drivers will remain on duty. </span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:.0001pt;"> </p>
<p style="margin-bottom:.0001pt;"><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;">During this time, grace period tolling will be extended and violations will be held through the duration of these toll plaza service interruptions. Toll collection will be entirely handled via I-PASS, E-ZPass and through the Tollway’s online payment portal. I-PASS and E-ZPass customers will see no impact to their day-to-day travel. </span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:.0001pt;"> </p>
<p style="margin-bottom:.0001pt;"><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;">Customers without I-PASS are encouraged to do the following: </span></p>
<ul>
<li style="margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;"><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;">Visit </span><a href="http://www.illinoistollway.com"><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;">www.illinoistollway.com</span></a><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;"> to calculate missed tolls and pay online within seven days or use the search by plate feature after seven days. </span></li>
<li style="margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;"><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;">Visit a Jewel-Osco store to obtain an I-PASS transponder and activate the transponder online.</span></li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-bottom:.0001pt;"> </p>
<p style="margin-bottom:.0001pt;"><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;">The Illinois Tollway’s Customer Service Centers located at Oases and Tollway Headquarters will also be closed to the public during this time. </span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:.0001pt;"> </p>
<p style="margin-bottom:.0001pt;"><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;">The Tollway is encouraging customers to use the online tools available to manage their accounts and to pay for missed tolls. As always, I-PASS customers have the ability to review and manage their I-PASS accounts online at </span><a href="http://www.getipass.com"><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;">www.getipass.com</span></a><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;">.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:.0001pt;"> </p>
<p style="margin-bottom:.0001pt;"><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;">According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, in the absence of medications or vaccines, community mitigation measures are the first line of defense against highly transmissible infectious diseases. Preventative actions should be practiced by Illinoisans at all times, but especially as the state continues to monitor potential spread of this new virus.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:.0001pt;"> </p>
<p style="margin-bottom:.0001pt;"><strong><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;">IDPH Resources</span></strong></p>
<ul>
<li style="color:blue;margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;"><a href="http://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/diseases-and-conditions/diseases-a-z-list/coronavirus"><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;">Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH): Coronavirus </span></a></li>
<li style="margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;"><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;">The IDPH hotline for residents outside of Chicago is 800-889-3931, and IDPH also has an email at </span><a href="mailto:DPH.SICK@illinois.gov"><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;">DPH.SICK@illinois.gov</span></a><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;">. </span></li>
<li style="margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;"><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;">Chicago residents may call 312-746-4835 Monday through Friday during business hours and 311 during evenings, weekends and holidays, or email </span><a href="mailto:coronavirus@chicago.gov"><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;">coronavirus@chicago.gov</span></a><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;">.</span></li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-bottom:.0001pt;"> </p>
<p style="margin-bottom:.0001pt;"><strong><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;">About the Illinois Tollway</span></strong></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:.0001pt;"><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;">The Illinois Tollway is a user-fee system that receives no state or federal funds for maintenance and operations. The agency maintains and operates 294 miles of roadways in 12 counties in Northern Illinois, including the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355), the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80) and the Illinois Route 390 Tollway.</span></p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="ajik" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2020-03-13]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway to Implement All-Electronic Tolling As Precaution Against Spread of Coronavirus
Display date: 2020-03-13
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="ugle" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"0","groupId":"20184","name":"41921","alt":"Gantries at night.jpg","title":"Gantries at night.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"f236095f-3458-412c-8902-8283f8658a14","fileEntryId":"832843","resourcePrimKey":"1142501"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="prfjiTXM" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="fzhh" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway to Implement All-Electronic Tolling As Precaution Against Spread of Coronavirus]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="Utr1uFNQ" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="jend" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><em><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;">Drivers advised to use I-PASS, E-ZPass or pay online at </span></em><a href="http://www.illinoistollway.com"><em><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;">www.illinoistollway.com</span></em></a></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"> </p>
<p style="margin-bottom:.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">In an effort to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus in the region, the Illinois Tollway will temporarily implement all-electronic tolling as a precaution to </span><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;">limit the potential spread of coronavirus to customers, as well as Tollway employees.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:.0001pt;"> </p>
<p style="margin-bottom:.0001pt;"><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;">“We are closely monitoring reports and advisories provided by the Illinois Department of Public Health and are fully focused on protecting the health and safety of the public,” said Executive Director José Alvarez. “At all points on our system, all customers should be advised to keep moving and not stop at toll plazas.” </span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:.0001pt;"> </p>
<p style="margin-bottom:.0001pt;"><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;">All Illinois Tollway roadways will remain open to traffic; however, over the next 24 hours toll booths at mainline toll plazas will be taken offline, and automatic toll payment machines at ramp and mainline toll plazas will be deactivated. The Tollway’s maintenance staff, incident management personnel and HELP truck drivers will remain on duty. </span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:.0001pt;"> </p>
<p style="margin-bottom:.0001pt;"><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;">During this time, grace period tolling will be extended and violations will be held through the duration of these toll plaza service interruptions. Toll collection will be entirely handled via I-PASS, E-ZPass and through the Tollway’s online payment portal. I-PASS and E-ZPass customers will see no impact to their day-to-day travel. </span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:.0001pt;"> </p>
<p style="margin-bottom:.0001pt;"><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;">Customers without I-PASS are encouraged to do the following: </span></p>
<ul>
<li style="margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;"><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;">Visit </span><a href="http://www.illinoistollway.com"><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;">www.illinoistollway.com</span></a><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;"> to calculate missed tolls and pay online within seven days or use the search by plate feature after seven days. </span></li>
<li style="margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;"><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;">Visit a Jewel-Osco store to obtain an I-PASS transponder and activate the transponder online.</span></li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-bottom:.0001pt;"> </p>
<p style="margin-bottom:.0001pt;"><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;">The Illinois Tollway’s Customer Service Centers located at Oases and Tollway Headquarters will also be closed to the public during this time. </span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:.0001pt;"> </p>
<p style="margin-bottom:.0001pt;"><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;">The Tollway is encouraging customers to use the online tools available to manage their accounts and to pay for missed tolls. As always, I-PASS customers have the ability to review and manage their I-PASS accounts online at </span><a href="http://www.getipass.com"><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;">www.getipass.com</span></a><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;">.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:.0001pt;"> </p>
<p style="margin-bottom:.0001pt;"><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;">According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, in the absence of medications or vaccines, community mitigation measures are the first line of defense against highly transmissible infectious diseases. Preventative actions should be practiced by Illinoisans at all times, but especially as the state continues to monitor potential spread of this new virus.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:.0001pt;"> </p>
<p style="margin-bottom:.0001pt;"><strong><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;">IDPH Resources</span></strong></p>
<ul>
<li style="color:blue;margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;"><a href="http://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/diseases-and-conditions/diseases-a-z-list/coronavirus"><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;">Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH): Coronavirus </span></a></li>
<li style="margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;"><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;">The IDPH hotline for residents outside of Chicago is 800-889-3931, and IDPH also has an email at </span><a href="mailto:DPH.SICK@illinois.gov"><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;">DPH.SICK@illinois.gov</span></a><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;">. </span></li>
<li style="margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;"><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;">Chicago residents may call 312-746-4835 Monday through Friday during business hours and 311 during evenings, weekends and holidays, or email </span><a href="mailto:coronavirus@chicago.gov"><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;">coronavirus@chicago.gov</span></a><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;">.</span></li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-bottom:.0001pt;"> </p>
<p style="margin-bottom:.0001pt;"><strong><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;">About the Illinois Tollway</span></strong></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:.0001pt;"><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;">The Illinois Tollway is a user-fee system that receives no state or federal funds for maintenance and operations. The agency maintains and operates 294 miles of roadways in 12 counties in Northern Illinois, including the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355), the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80) and the Illinois Route 390 Tollway.</span></p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="xzhv" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2020-03-13]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway to Implement All-Electronic Tolling As Precaution Against Spread of Coronavirus
Display date: 2020-03-13
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
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<tbody>
<tr>
<td><img alt="" src="/documents/20184/830465/GTD+Trucker+Show+Naperville.jpg/708c0186-2783-438a-a5ab-1f746321fa63?t=1583518129793" style="width: 350px;" /></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>The Illinois Tollway is teaming up with police officers specializing in trucking enforcement to continue promoting the importance of the Move Over Law.</p>
<p>Attending the annual Illinois Truck Enforcement Association on March 6 in Naperville, Tollway staff brought its Give Them Distance message to ask for help from police and the trucking industry to continue educating the public about the importance and consequences of the safety law.</p>
<p>The Illinois Truck Enforcement Association is a coalition of police officers that works with the trucking industry to promote safe roads and uniform enforcement laws and to serve as a resource for the trucking industry.</p>
<p>The Move Over Law, also known as “Scott’s Law,” protects emergency responders, workers and ALL motorists who are stopped along the road by requiring drivers to slow down and change lanes safely when approaching ANY vehicle with its hazard lights on.</p>
<p>Scott’s Law was first enacted in 2002 after Lt. Scott Gillen of the Chicago Fire Department was struck and killed by an intoxicated driver on the Dan Ryan Expressway while assisting at a crash scene in December 2000. </p>
<p>The law originally required drivers to slow down and change lanes safely when approaching emergency vehicles stopped on the side of the road and was expanded in 2017 to apply not only to emergency and maintenance vehicles, but any vehicle stopped on the side of the road with lights flashing.</p>
<p>In 2019, fines increased to $250 for first-time violations and to $750 for subsequent violations. Drivers who fail to comply with the Move Over Law face serious penalties, including:</p>
<p>Up to a $10,000 fine, 2-year suspension of driving privileges, and jail time, including to up to three years in prison if the violation results in an injury or death of another person.</p>
<p>Find out more about the Give Them Distance initiative and take the Give Them Distance pledge at <a href="http://www.GiveThemDistance.com">GiveThemDistance.com</a></p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="gron" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2020-03-06]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Working with Truck Enforcement Community to Promote Give Them Distance
Display date: 2020-03-06
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="qpvf" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"0","groupId":"20184","name":"41372","alt":"GTD Truck Show Naperville Table Only.png","title":"GTD Truck Show Naperville Table Only.png","type":"journal","uuid":"345de191-b76a-4711-a2fc-9e8f0ec7dc6a","fileEntryId":"830585","resourcePrimKey":"1142514"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="c3ZJLOx7" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="szfq" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Working with Truck Enforcement Community to Promote Give Them Distance]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="bcSawzJb" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="zgoo" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="5" style="width:300px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><img alt="" src="/documents/20184/830465/GTD+Trucker+Show+Naperville.jpg/708c0186-2783-438a-a5ab-1f746321fa63?t=1583518129793" style="width: 350px;" /></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>The Illinois Tollway is teaming up with police officers specializing in trucking enforcement to continue promoting the importance of the Move Over Law.</p>
<p>Attending the annual Illinois Truck Enforcement Association on March 6 in Naperville, Tollway staff brought its Give Them Distance message to ask for help from police and the trucking industry to continue educating the public about the importance and consequences of the safety law.</p>
<p>The Illinois Truck Enforcement Association is a coalition of police officers that works with the trucking industry to promote safe roads and uniform enforcement laws and to serve as a resource for the trucking industry.</p>
<p>The Move Over Law, also known as “Scott’s Law,” protects emergency responders, workers and ALL motorists who are stopped along the road by requiring drivers to slow down and change lanes safely when approaching ANY vehicle with its hazard lights on.</p>
<p>Scott’s Law was first enacted in 2002 after Lt. Scott Gillen of the Chicago Fire Department was struck and killed by an intoxicated driver on the Dan Ryan Expressway while assisting at a crash scene in December 2000. </p>
<p>The law originally required drivers to slow down and change lanes safely when approaching emergency vehicles stopped on the side of the road and was expanded in 2017 to apply not only to emergency and maintenance vehicles, but any vehicle stopped on the side of the road with lights flashing.</p>
<p>In 2019, fines increased to $250 for first-time violations and to $750 for subsequent violations. Drivers who fail to comply with the Move Over Law face serious penalties, including:</p>
<p>Up to a $10,000 fine, 2-year suspension of driving privileges, and jail time, including to up to three years in prison if the violation results in an injury or death of another person.</p>
<p>Find out more about the Give Them Distance initiative and take the Give Them Distance pledge at <a href="http://www.GiveThemDistance.com">GiveThemDistance.com</a></p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="mzeh" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2020-03-06]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Working with Truck Enforcement Community to Promote Give Them Distance
Display date: 2020-03-06
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="ffbf" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Rich Seize Opp Event.png","name":"Rich Seize Opp Event.png","width":"","description":"Rich Seize Opp Event.png","title":"Rich Seize Opp Event.png","type":"journal","uuid":"0c09dea5-758e-4098-af54-d01109bd8939","fileEntryId":"828718","resourcePrimKey":"1228327","url":"/documents/20184/826947/Rich%20Seize%20Opp%20Event.png/0c09dea5-758e-4098-af54-d01109bd8939?t=1582916551227","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="3PnXkQFE" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="acpn" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Seize The Opportunity Event Draws More Than 300 Diverse Businesses]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="Im09PGoy" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="mhls" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;">The Illinois Tollway hosted a “Seize the Opportunity” information and networking event today in Chicago to highlight opportunities for diverse, minority and women-owned companies to make use of the agency’s business assistance and support resources and learn how to successfully do business with the Tollway as well as other state agencies.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;">The event, held at the South Shore Cultural Center, provided information about Tollway’s procurement process, state certification and registration requirements, as well as upcoming contract opportunities for goods, services and roadway construction projects to more than 300 business – including more than 200 that have not previously explored opportunities to work with the Tollway.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;">“We are expanding our efforts to reach out to and create opportunities for new and diverse companies to join the pool of businesses working for the Tollway,” said Executive Director José Alvarez. “We continue to break down contracts and identify more ways to support small and diverse business success and to help the Tollway complete its <em>Move Illinois</em> capital program as well as serve the 1.6 million customers using our roadways daily, and today we are helping to prepare businesses to seize these opportunities.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;">The Illinois Tollway is focused on promoting, assisting and ensuring diverse participation in all aspects of Tollway operations, including construction contracting, consulting and the supply of goods and services. As part of its commitment to increasing the diversity, the Tollway breaks down its contracts to amounts ranging from less than $1 million to more than $100 million so they are accessible to firms of varying sizes, including small and minority-owned businesses. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;">For example, since launching the $14 billion, 15-year <em>Move Illinois</em> Capital Program in 2012, the Tollway has invested nearly $7.3 billion, with nearly $2 billion of that total committed to small, diverse and veteran-owned firms.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;">The ”Seize the Opportunity” Event provided firms with direct access to talk with staff from various departments including procurement and compliance, engineering, information technology and operations to gain a better understanding of the opportunities with the Tollway, as well as information on:</span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;">The <em>Move Illinois </em>capital program, including upcoming contracts and highlights of work scheduled for 2020-2026. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;">Programs and resources supported by the Tollway’s Department of Diversity and Strategic Department providing technical assistance, training, mentoring and business development opportunities firms.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;">Illinois Department of Transportation and Capital Development Board resources and opportunities.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;">Information and pre-certification, bonding, insurance needed to bid on Tollway contracts.</span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;">For more information about the Tollway’s opportunities for small, diverse and veteran businesses and individuals work with the Tollway to grow and succeed through training programs, strategic partnerships and investments in infrastructure, visit the </span><a href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/doing-business"><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;">Doing Business</span></a><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;"> section on the Tollway’s website </span><a href="http://www.illinoistollway.com"><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;">www.illinoistollway.com</span></a><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;">.</span></p>
<p><strong><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;">About the Illinois Tollway</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;">The Illinois Tollway is a user-fee system that receives no state or federal funds for maintenance and operations. The agency maintains and operates 294 miles of roadways in 12 counties in Northern Illinois, including the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355), the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80) and the Illinois Route 390 Tollway.</span></p>
<p> </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="hilx" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2020-02-28]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Seize The Opportunity Event Draws More Than 300 Diverse Businesses
Display date: 2020-02-28
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="ckmy" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"0","groupId":"20184","name":"41335","alt":"Rich Seize Opp Event.png","title":"Rich Seize Opp Event.png","type":"journal","uuid":"0c09dea5-758e-4098-af54-d01109bd8939","fileEntryId":"828718","resourcePrimKey":"1142527"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="VPYq1QZY" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="zrpt" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Seize The Opportunity Event Draws More Than 300 Diverse Businesses]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="VzUqMOEC" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="npjq" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;">The Illinois Tollway hosted a “Seize the Opportunity” information and networking event today in Chicago to highlight opportunities for diverse, minority and women-owned companies to make use of the agency’s business assistance and support resources and learn how to successfully do business with the Tollway as well as other state agencies.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;">The event, held at the South Shore Cultural Center, provided information about Tollway’s procurement process, state certification and registration requirements, as well as upcoming contract opportunities for goods, services and roadway construction projects to more than 300 business – including more than 200 that have not previously explored opportunities to work with the Tollway.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;">“We are expanding our efforts to reach out to and create opportunities for new and diverse companies to join the pool of businesses working for the Tollway,” said Executive Director José Alvarez. “We continue to break down contracts and identify more ways to support small and diverse business success and to help the Tollway complete its <em>Move Illinois</em> capital program as well as serve the 1.6 million customers using our roadways daily, and today we are helping to prepare businesses to seize these opportunities.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;">The Illinois Tollway is focused on promoting, assisting and ensuring diverse participation in all aspects of Tollway operations, including construction contracting, consulting and the supply of goods and services. As part of its commitment to increasing the diversity, the Tollway breaks down its contracts to amounts ranging from less than $1 million to more than $100 million so they are accessible to firms of varying sizes, including small and minority-owned businesses. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;">For example, since launching the $14 billion, 15-year <em>Move Illinois</em> Capital Program in 2012, the Tollway has invested nearly $7.3 billion, with nearly $2 billion of that total committed to small, diverse and veteran-owned firms.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;">The ”Seize the Opportunity” Event provided firms with direct access to talk with staff from various departments including procurement and compliance, engineering, information technology and operations to gain a better understanding of the opportunities with the Tollway, as well as information on:</span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;">The <em>Move Illinois </em>capital program, including upcoming contracts and highlights of work scheduled for 2020-2026. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;">Programs and resources supported by the Tollway’s Department of Diversity and Strategic Department providing technical assistance, training, mentoring and business development opportunities firms.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;">Illinois Department of Transportation and Capital Development Board resources and opportunities.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;">Information and pre-certification, bonding, insurance needed to bid on Tollway contracts.</span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;">For more information about the Tollway’s opportunities for small, diverse and veteran businesses and individuals work with the Tollway to grow and succeed through training programs, strategic partnerships and investments in infrastructure, visit the </span><a href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/doing-business"><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;">Doing Business</span></a><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;"> section on the Tollway’s website </span><a href="http://www.illinoistollway.com"><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;">www.illinoistollway.com</span></a><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;">.</span></p>
<p><strong><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;">About the Illinois Tollway</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;">The Illinois Tollway is a user-fee system that receives no state or federal funds for maintenance and operations. The agency maintains and operates 294 miles of roadways in 12 counties in Northern Illinois, including the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355), the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80) and the Illinois Route 390 Tollway.</span></p>
<p> </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="ccdi" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2020-02-28]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Seize The Opportunity Event Draws More Than 300 Diverse Businesses
Display date: 2020-02-28
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="mxci" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"0","groupId":"20184","name":"41334","alt":"2020 Plow view w logo.jpg","title":"2020 Plow view w logo.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"5bd9a425-297d-4818-8e29-04d218d172b4","fileEntryId":"828022","resourcePrimKey":"1228340"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="l2NWKrJf" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="juxj" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Stay Safe Driving In Winter Storms and Extreme Cold]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="BqvhIY3z" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="vevz" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Winter storms and extreme cold weather can make driving more difficult and lead to crashes and breakdowns that could leave drivers stranded along the road.<br />
<br />
The Illinois Tollway and Illinois State Police provide assistance 24 hours a day, 365 days a year—but drivers can help protect themselves during the winter by knowing what to do if they’re involved in an accident or their vehicle becomes disabled on our system.<br />
<ul>
<li>If possible, after a crash or mechanical problem, immediately move vehicles out of active traffic lanes and onto roadway shoulders.</li>
<li>Dial *999 from a cellphone to seek quick help from the Tollway or Illinois State Police. Drivers should note the road they are using, as well as the direction they’re traveling and the nearest milepost, crossroad or interchange. Make sure your cellphone is fully charged before hitting the road.</li>
<li>Stay with your vehicle and turn on emergency lights. Do NOT try to walk along the road to get help.</li>
<li>Drivers involved in minor crashes that cause only property damage can report the incident by calling 630-241-6800 ext. 5042 and then continue driving. </li>
</ul>
The Tollway provides aid to drivers around the clock, including moving disabled vehicles out of traffic lanes, changing tires, jump-starting dead batteries, dispensing fuel, arranging tows and transporting customers to oases or other safe areas along our system.<br />
<br />
Special Highway Emergency Lane Patrols (H.E.L.P.) operating from 4 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily from Monday through Friday are dedicated solely to quickly assisting drivers who have been involved in crashes or whose vehicles have become disabled.<br />
<br />
During dangerously cold weather when temperatures or windchills are below zero, the Tollway also operates 24-hour-a-day Zero Weather Road Patrols to provide an extra measure of protection to drivers who run into problems while traveling on our roads. Zero Weather patrols can assist stranded drivers with flat tires or minor mechanical issues, transfer stranded drivers to oases or offer stranded drivers a warm place to wait until a tow truck arrives.<br />
<br />
“We’re committed to keeping drivers safe whenever they travel on our system, and that’s especially important when storms or dangerously cold temperatures strike,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “We do whatever it takes to assist our customers, but we urge drivers to help us protect them by remembering these simple precautions if they run into problems while traveling on our roads, particularly during severe weather.”]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="bfcp" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2020-02-25]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Stay Safe Driving In Winter Storms and Extreme Cold
Display date: 2020-02-25
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="vxie" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"0","groupId":"20184","name":"41334","alt":"2020 Plow view w logo.jpg","title":"2020 Plow view w logo.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"5bd9a425-297d-4818-8e29-04d218d172b4","fileEntryId":"828022","resourcePrimKey":"1142540"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="OAAIPeEh" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="sjov" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Stay Safe Driving In Winter Storms and Extreme Cold]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="Xb3vayBz" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="dyqa" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Winter storms and extreme cold weather can make driving more difficult and lead to crashes and breakdowns that could leave drivers stranded along the road.<br />
<br />
The Illinois Tollway and Illinois State Police provide assistance 24 hours a day, 365 days a year—but drivers can help protect themselves during the winter by knowing what to do if they’re involved in an accident or their vehicle becomes disabled on our system.<br />
<ul>
<li>If possible, after a crash or mechanical problem, immediately move vehicles out of active traffic lanes and onto roadway shoulders.</li>
<li>Dial *999 from a cellphone to seek quick help from the Tollway or Illinois State Police. Drivers should note the road they are using, as well as the direction they’re traveling and the nearest milepost, crossroad or interchange. Make sure your cellphone is fully charged before hitting the road.</li>
<li>Stay with your vehicle and turn on emergency lights. Do NOT try to walk along the road to get help.</li>
<li>Drivers involved in minor crashes that cause only property damage can report the incident by calling 630-241-6800 ext. 5042 and then continue driving. </li>
</ul>
The Tollway provides aid to drivers around the clock, including moving disabled vehicles out of traffic lanes, changing tires, jump-starting dead batteries, dispensing fuel, arranging tows and transporting customers to oases or other safe areas along our system.<br />
<br />
Special Highway Emergency Lane Patrols (H.E.L.P.) operating from 4 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily from Monday through Friday are dedicated solely to quickly assisting drivers who have been involved in crashes or whose vehicles have become disabled.<br />
<br />
During dangerously cold weather when temperatures or windchills are below zero, the Tollway also operates 24-hour-a-day Zero Weather Road Patrols to provide an extra measure of protection to drivers who run into problems while traveling on our roads. Zero Weather patrols can assist stranded drivers with flat tires or minor mechanical issues, transfer stranded drivers to oases or offer stranded drivers a warm place to wait until a tow truck arrives.<br />
<br />
“We’re committed to keeping drivers safe whenever they travel on our system, and that’s especially important when storms or dangerously cold temperatures strike,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “We do whatever it takes to assist our customers, but we urge drivers to help us protect them by remembering these simple precautions if they run into problems while traveling on our roads, particularly during severe weather.”]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="jbve" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2020-02-25]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Stay Safe Driving In Winter Storms and Extreme Cold
Display date: 2020-02-25
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="skrn" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"355 trail photo.png","name":"355 trail photo.png","width":"","description":"355 trail photo.png","title":"355 trail photo.png","type":"journal","uuid":"4fc38c61-5719-4ab4-8aad-59a36eb6d043","fileEntryId":"826951","resourcePrimKey":"1228353","url":"/documents/20184/826947/355%20trail%20photo.png/4fc38c61-5719-4ab4-8aad-59a36eb6d043?t=1582299080178","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="nkoi925J" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="paek" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Tollway Applauds Latest Federal Grant to Veterans Memorial Trail]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="mw7q12Az" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="vqpv" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>A new 3.5-mile section of Will County’s Veterans Memorial Trail, a trail established on land contributed and set aside by the Illinois Tollway during the construction of the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355), will become a reality thanks to a $5.3 million federal grant.</p>
<p>You can read about the federal grant in the Northwest Herald <a href="https://www.theherald-news.com/2020/01/29/5-3-million-grant-awarded-to-veterans-memorial-trail-project-in-will-county/ab3h1ow/">here</a>. The trail has slowly come to life thanks to a series of federal grants, local funds and the hard work of the Will County Forest Preserve. </p>
<p>When completed, the trail also will connect to other regional trails to extend the journeys hikers and bikers can take through the woods and wilds of the Chicago area. The southern portion of the trail will link to the 8.5-mile-long Spring Creek Greenway Trail, which runs through Messenger Marsh, under I-355 and loops around the Hadley Valley Preserve. The northern end of the Veterans Memorial Trial will connect with another path being built by the Illinois Department of Transportation running east from I-355 to Illinois Route 45. </p>
<p>This project is a part of a larger and sustained effort by the Illinois Tollway to create a network of recreational trails used by bicyclists, bird-watchers, hikers and joggers.</p>
<p>The trails run through open lands and forest preserves across the Chicago area and frequently link the parks to longer, regional trails. The Tollway often helps fund construction of trail—and, as is the case with the Veteran’s Memorial Trail, sometimes sets aside land for the paths—as part of its commitment to restore woods, wetlands, and waterways to enhance the benefits of its projects. </p>
<p>In Lake County, the Tollway has contributed $9.3 million since 2014 to help restore or improve 85 acres of wetlands at the Pine Dunes Forest Preserve and create three miles of new trails that connect the park to the 31-mile-long Des Plaines River Trail. Visitors can park at the site and use the trails to walk or bike through restored grasslands and oak savannas, then hop onto the Des Plaines River Trail and travel along the banks of the Des Plaines River from one end of Lake County to the other.</p>
<p>In DuPage County, the Tollway is contributing more than $13 million to help restore sections of Springbrook Creek and surrounding wetlands, in the Blackwell and St. James Forest Preserves in partnership with the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County. These improvements also include adding a new bike and pedestrian bridge over Spring Brook Creek in Saint James Farm as well as realigning a flood-prone portion of the West Branch DuPage River Trail in Blackwell Forest Preserve, which is part of an existing 18-mile trail network connecting Blackwell Forest Preserve to Knoch Knolls Park in Will County.</p>
<p>In southwestern Cook County, the Tollway is spending about $7 million to restore a 162-acre wetland and prairie parcel known as the Orland Grassland South Addition. This site will provide open space and along with a 2.5-mile walking and biking trail that allows visitors to circle the preserve, with connections to 13 miles of trails throughout the 750-acre Orland Grassland site immediately to the North. </p>
<p>In Will County, the Tollway contributed a 20-foot-wide corridor to provide a route for the regional Veterans Memorial Trail, which when completed will run for 15 miles between Woodridge and New Lenox. So far, nearly five miles of the trail has built between Romeoville and Woodridge, while construction of a new, paved 3.5-mile segment in Homer Township and the Hadley Valley Preserve in Joliet is expected to begin this year.</p>
<p>When completed, the trail also will connect to other regional trails to extend the journeys hikers and bikers can take through the woods and wilds of the Chicago area. The southern portion of the trail will link to the 8.5-mile-long Spring Creek Greenway Trail, which runs through Messenger Marsh, under I-355 and loops around the Hadley Valley Preserve. The northern end of the Veterans Memorial Trial will connect with another path being built by the Illinois Department of Transportation running east from I-355 to Illinois Route 45. </p>
<p>You can read more about our efforts to make our roadways green and sustainable on the Tollway’s website at <a href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/sustainability">www.illinoistollway.com/sustainability</a>.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="skem" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2020-02-21]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Tollway Applauds Latest Federal Grant to Veterans Memorial Trail
Display date: 2020-02-21
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="hbxq" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"0","groupId":"20184","name":"41314","alt":"355 trail photo.png","title":"355 trail photo.png","type":"journal","uuid":"4fc38c61-5719-4ab4-8aad-59a36eb6d043","fileEntryId":"826951","resourcePrimKey":"1142553"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="IliBWVZ1" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="rqdi" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Tollway Applauds Latest Federal Grant to Veterans Memorial Trail]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="vNR8hM3L" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="nvat" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>A new 3.5-mile section of Will County’s Veterans Memorial Trail, a trail established on land contributed and set aside by the Illinois Tollway during the construction of the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355), will become a reality thanks to a $5.3 million federal grant.</p>
<p>You can read about the federal grant in the Northwest Herald <a href="https://www.theherald-news.com/2020/01/29/5-3-million-grant-awarded-to-veterans-memorial-trail-project-in-will-county/ab3h1ow/">here</a>. The trail has slowly come to life thanks to a series of federal grants, local funds and the hard work of the Will County Forest Preserve. </p>
<p>When completed, the trail also will connect to other regional trails to extend the journeys hikers and bikers can take through the woods and wilds of the Chicago area. The southern portion of the trail will link to the 8.5-mile-long Spring Creek Greenway Trail, which runs through Messenger Marsh, under I-355 and loops around the Hadley Valley Preserve. The northern end of the Veterans Memorial Trial will connect with another path being built by the Illinois Department of Transportation running east from I-355 to Illinois Route 45. </p>
<p>This project is a part of a larger and sustained effort by the Illinois Tollway to create a network of recreational trails used by bicyclists, bird-watchers, hikers and joggers.</p>
<p>The trails run through open lands and forest preserves across the Chicago area and frequently link the parks to longer, regional trails. The Tollway often helps fund construction of trail—and, as is the case with the Veteran’s Memorial Trail, sometimes sets aside land for the paths—as part of its commitment to restore woods, wetlands, and waterways to enhance the benefits of its projects. </p>
<p>In Lake County, the Tollway has contributed $9.3 million since 2014 to help restore or improve 85 acres of wetlands at the Pine Dunes Forest Preserve and create three miles of new trails that connect the park to the 31-mile-long Des Plaines River Trail. Visitors can park at the site and use the trails to walk or bike through restored grasslands and oak savannas, then hop onto the Des Plaines River Trail and travel along the banks of the Des Plaines River from one end of Lake County to the other.</p>
<p>In DuPage County, the Tollway is contributing more than $13 million to help restore sections of Springbrook Creek and surrounding wetlands, in the Blackwell and St. James Forest Preserves in partnership with the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County. These improvements also include adding a new bike and pedestrian bridge over Spring Brook Creek in Saint James Farm as well as realigning a flood-prone portion of the West Branch DuPage River Trail in Blackwell Forest Preserve, which is part of an existing 18-mile trail network connecting Blackwell Forest Preserve to Knoch Knolls Park in Will County.</p>
<p>In southwestern Cook County, the Tollway is spending about $7 million to restore a 162-acre wetland and prairie parcel known as the Orland Grassland South Addition. This site will provide open space and along with a 2.5-mile walking and biking trail that allows visitors to circle the preserve, with connections to 13 miles of trails throughout the 750-acre Orland Grassland site immediately to the North. </p>
<p>In Will County, the Tollway contributed a 20-foot-wide corridor to provide a route for the regional Veterans Memorial Trail, which when completed will run for 15 miles between Woodridge and New Lenox. So far, nearly five miles of the trail has built between Romeoville and Woodridge, while construction of a new, paved 3.5-mile segment in Homer Township and the Hadley Valley Preserve in Joliet is expected to begin this year.</p>
<p>When completed, the trail also will connect to other regional trails to extend the journeys hikers and bikers can take through the woods and wilds of the Chicago area. The southern portion of the trail will link to the 8.5-mile-long Spring Creek Greenway Trail, which runs through Messenger Marsh, under I-355 and loops around the Hadley Valley Preserve. The northern end of the Veterans Memorial Trial will connect with another path being built by the Illinois Department of Transportation running east from I-355 to Illinois Route 45. </p>
<p>You can read more about our efforts to make our roadways green and sustainable on the Tollway’s website at <a href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/sustainability">www.illinoistollway.com/sustainability</a>.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="lshp" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2020-02-21]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Tollway Applauds Latest Federal Grant to Veterans Memorial Trail
Display date: 2020-02-21
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="uksb" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"2020HACIA Grad.jpg","name":"2020HACIA Grad.jpg","width":"","description":"2020HACIA Grad.jpg","title":"2020HACIA Grad.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"20c7eca0-bef7-4dc3-b2b7-062f19c49df1","fileEntryId":"824713","resourcePrimKey":"1228366","url":"/documents/20184/821361/2020HACIA%20Grad.jpg/20c7eca0-bef7-4dc3-b2b7-062f19c49df1?t=1580325823620","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="V8ae2rgq" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="fvjt" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[First Technical Assistance Graduation in 2020]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="55xke5Pp" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="qbhh" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<div>The Illinois Tollway believes the contractors who help build, maintain and operate its 294-mile system of roads should be as diverse as the communities it serves across Northern Illinois—and the Tollway offers training programs to help make that goal a reality.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The Tollway congratulates the leaders of six businesses who recently graduated from its Technical Assistance Program, one of the key initiatives created by the agency to help minority- and women-owned firms gain the opportunity participate in its projects, including the 15-year, $14 billion Move Illinois capital program.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The Technical Assistance Program prepares transportation-related construction firms, including diverse and disadvantaged firms, as well as veteran-owned and small businesses, to work as prime contractors and subcontractors on highway and vertical construction contracts. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>“Participating in our Technical Assistance Program provides business owners with comprehensive, customized training that helps them compete for contracts being awarded by the Tollway and other transportation agencies,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “We’re proud of what these graduates accomplished by completing this program and pleased to have expanded the pool of small and diverse businesses that now can contribute their skills and training to assist us with the work we’re doing to improve and expand our system.”</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The six graduating firms honored in January are from various industries, including structural steel, information technology, electrical contracting, carpentry and drywall painting, asphalt, painting and flooring. </div>
<div> </div>
<ul>
<li>Jameel Lunsford Jr., All J Steel Inc. – Darien</li>
<li>Jose Abrego, Advanced Contractor Solutions Inc. – Chicago</li>
<li>Joanne E. Szymel, Guepard Group Corp. – Barrington</li>
<li>Daniel Rojas, Metromex Contractors Inc. – McCook</li>
<li>Erika Venegas, Pro Nova Contracting LLC – North Aurora </li>
<li>Kenneth Early, RIMCA Inc. – Melrose Park </li>
</ul>
<div>This portion of the Technical Assistance Program was administered by the Hispanic American Construction Industry Association (HACIA) Scholarship & Education Foundation, which is one of seven organizations that the Tollway partners with to operate its Technical Assistance Program. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>The program is designed to assist businesses gain the experience and expertise to handle more complex projects while increasing the pool of contractors available to perform work on Tollway projects and other transportation-related construction. There are a total of 12 locations providing technical assistance for emerging businesses in Chicago, Cook County, the south suburbs and Rockford. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>The Technical Assistance Program means more diverse firms are working for the Tollway. As a result of the Tollway's investment, approximately 1,766 bids have been submitted by clients since 2017, including 377 on Tollway projects.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>These bids submitted on Tollway projects have resulted in 26 firms participating in winning bids in 2017 and 59 contracts in 2018. In 2019, 167 of the bids submitted on Tollway projects resulted in 34 firms winning work as primes or subcontractors on 25 contracts.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>More information on the Technical Assistance Program can be obtained <a href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/doing-business/diversity-development/programs/technical-assistance" target="_blank">here</a>. </div>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="xock" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2020-01-29]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
First Technical Assistance Graduation in 2020
Display date: 2020-01-29
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="odxl" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"0","groupId":"20184","name":"40827","alt":"2020HACIA Grad.jpg","title":"2020HACIA Grad.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"20c7eca0-bef7-4dc3-b2b7-062f19c49df1","fileEntryId":"824713","resourcePrimKey":"1142566"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="WPyMGgJh" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="bbip" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[First Technical Assistance Graduation in 2020]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="I9qylHyZ" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="areg" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<div>The Illinois Tollway believes the contractors who help build, maintain and operate its 294-mile system of roads should be as diverse as the communities it serves across Northern Illinois—and the Tollway offers training programs to help make that goal a reality.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The Tollway congratulates the leaders of six businesses who recently graduated from its Technical Assistance Program, one of the key initiatives created by the agency to help minority- and women-owned firms gain the opportunity participate in its projects, including the 15-year, $14 billion Move Illinois capital program.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The Technical Assistance Program prepares transportation-related construction firms, including diverse and disadvantaged firms, as well as veteran-owned and small businesses, to work as prime contractors and subcontractors on highway and vertical construction contracts. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>“Participating in our Technical Assistance Program provides business owners with comprehensive, customized training that helps them compete for contracts being awarded by the Tollway and other transportation agencies,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “We’re proud of what these graduates accomplished by completing this program and pleased to have expanded the pool of small and diverse businesses that now can contribute their skills and training to assist us with the work we’re doing to improve and expand our system.”</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The six graduating firms honored in January are from various industries, including structural steel, information technology, electrical contracting, carpentry and drywall painting, asphalt, painting and flooring. </div>
<div> </div>
<ul>
<li>Jameel Lunsford Jr., All J Steel Inc. – Darien</li>
<li>Jose Abrego, Advanced Contractor Solutions Inc. – Chicago</li>
<li>Joanne E. Szymel, Guepard Group Corp. – Barrington</li>
<li>Daniel Rojas, Metromex Contractors Inc. – McCook</li>
<li>Erika Venegas, Pro Nova Contracting LLC – North Aurora </li>
<li>Kenneth Early, RIMCA Inc. – Melrose Park </li>
</ul>
<div>This portion of the Technical Assistance Program was administered by the Hispanic American Construction Industry Association (HACIA) Scholarship & Education Foundation, which is one of seven organizations that the Tollway partners with to operate its Technical Assistance Program. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>The program is designed to assist businesses gain the experience and expertise to handle more complex projects while increasing the pool of contractors available to perform work on Tollway projects and other transportation-related construction. There are a total of 12 locations providing technical assistance for emerging businesses in Chicago, Cook County, the south suburbs and Rockford. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>The Technical Assistance Program means more diverse firms are working for the Tollway. As a result of the Tollway's investment, approximately 1,766 bids have been submitted by clients since 2017, including 377 on Tollway projects.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>These bids submitted on Tollway projects have resulted in 26 firms participating in winning bids in 2017 and 59 contracts in 2018. In 2019, 167 of the bids submitted on Tollway projects resulted in 34 firms winning work as primes or subcontractors on 25 contracts.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>More information on the Technical Assistance Program can be obtained <a href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/doing-business/diversity-development/programs/technical-assistance" target="_blank">here</a>. </div>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="rcyu" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2020-01-29]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
First Technical Assistance Graduation in 2020
Display date: 2020-01-29
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="zxho" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"0","groupId":"20184","name":"40801","alt":"290-390 with logo.jpg","title":"290-390 with logo.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"ee586094-e486-47ae-b7d2-9dd67f7a9617","fileEntryId":"821365","resourcePrimKey":"1228379"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="PP261aUl" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="fpoy" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[In 2019 Tollway Earned Awards for Innovation, Customer Service and Environmental Initiatives]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="9RXs01Uj" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="xsod" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway grabbed nearly a dozen awards in 2019 for its innovative construction, outstanding customer service and environmental initiatives and for the skills of its engineers, planners and members of its leadership team.</p>
<p>Among the projects recognized by transportation and construction industry groups were the Tollway’s $4 billion reconstruction of the Central Tri-State Tollway and the I-290/Illinois Route 390 Interchange.</p>
<p>“These awards reflect the Tollway’s commitment to provide the best roadways, highest level of customer service and the most qualified, dedicated staff to serve the drivers who use our system,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Jose Alvarez. “We’re pleased that the quality of our work has been recognized and we’re determined to continue looking for new ways to provide the best possible service and travel experience to our customers.” </p>
<p>Among the awards received:</p>
<p>The Tollway was honored for its innovative use of concrete in the construction of the $440 million I-290 Interchange with the Illinois Route 390 Tollway. The award from the American Concrete Institute recognized the Tollway for using high-performance concrete mixes to construct longer-lasting bridge decks, pavement and retaining walls. Read more <a href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/729049/20190514_Illinois_Tollway_Receives_Excellence_in_Concrete_Award_from_Illinois_Chapter_of_the_American_Concrete_Institute/6fa74409-4d8e-4290-868d-a7c74bdab252" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>
<p>The Tollway received a Toll Excellence Award for creating a new Customer Relationship Management System to more efficiently process a rapidly growing number of electronic toll transaction by customers using I-PASS or E-ZPass transponders. The award from the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association notes that the Tollway uses a comprehensive system that includes customer self-service payment features, enhanced cybersecurity and new roadway lane technologies to accurately and securely process nearly 3 million toll transactions daily. Read more <a href="https://www.ibtta.org/press-release/illinois-tollway-wins-2019-toll-excellence-award-developing-system-handle-major-move" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>
<p>The Tollway was honored for using biosolid waste products as natural fertilizers for native grasses, shrubs and trees planted along roadways and on other Tollway property. The award from the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District recognizes the Tollway for using the biosolids to reduce its reliance on chemical fertilizers and for sustainably using waste products that otherwise would be landfilled. Read more <a href="https://mwrd.org/mwrd-sustainability-summit-highlights-green-initiatives" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>
<p>Tollway staff receiving awards included:</p>
<ul>
<li>Executive Director Jose Alvarez was named Champion of the Year by the Chicago Latino Caucus for his leadership and determination to emphasize improved customer service.</li>
<li>Chief Engineering Officer Paul Kovacs received the national Outstanding Projects and Leaders Award from the American Society of Civil Engineers for his leadership in overseeing the Tollway’s 15-year, $14 billion <em>Move Illinois</em> capital program. Read more <a href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/729049/20190314+-+Illinois+Tollway+Chief+Engineering+Officer+Receives+American+Society+of+Civil+Engineers+2019+Outstanding+Projects+and+Leaders+Award/168602d5-0c24-4276-b63a-2a953aa26f08" target="_blank">here</a>.</li>
<li>Senior Manager of Strategic Planning Aimee Lee received the Innovative Transportation Solution Award from WTS Greater Chicago for her leadership in rapidly developing the master plan detailing how the Tollway will reconstruct and widen the 22-mile-long Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294). The $4 billion project is scheduled to be completed in 2026. Read more <a href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/729049/20190509+-+Illinois+Tollway+Senior+Manager+of+Strategic+Planning+Receives+Innovative+Transportation+Solution+Award+from+WTS+Greater+Chicago/01791ec4-50dc-40a5-8711-6a1468437579" target="_blank">here</a>. </li>
<li>Senior Project Engineer Laura Thompson was honored as Young Government Civil Engineer of the Year for her work on major Tollway projects, including the I-290 Interchange at Illinois Route 390 as well as improvement projects on the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88) and the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355). Read more <a href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/729049/20191002+-+Illinois+Tollway+Senior+Project+Engineer+Named+Young+Government+Civil+Engineer+of+the+Year/c8efa20b-6889-4b6a-bfad-7539b54ff45b" target="_blank">here</a>.</li>
</ul>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="rqso" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2020-01-21]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
In 2019 Tollway Earned Awards for Innovation, Customer Service and Environmental Initiatives
Display date: 2020-01-21
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="dznr" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"0","groupId":"20184","name":"40801","alt":"290-390 with logo.jpg","title":"290-390 with logo.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"ee586094-e486-47ae-b7d2-9dd67f7a9617","fileEntryId":"821365","resourcePrimKey":"1142579"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="0PXJ9WuX" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="jgya" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[In 2019 Tollway Earned Awards for Innovation, Customer Service and Environmental Initiatives]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="k6dzO3ub" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="zyon" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway grabbed nearly a dozen awards in 2019 for its innovative construction, outstanding customer service and environmental initiatives and for the skills of its engineers, planners and members of its leadership team.</p>
<p>Among the projects recognized by transportation and construction industry groups were the Tollway’s $4 billion reconstruction of the Central Tri-State Tollway and the I-290/Illinois Route 390 Interchange.</p>
<p>“These awards reflect the Tollway’s commitment to provide the best roadways, highest level of customer service and the most qualified, dedicated staff to serve the drivers who use our system,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Jose Alvarez. “We’re pleased that the quality of our work has been recognized and we’re determined to continue looking for new ways to provide the best possible service and travel experience to our customers.” </p>
<p>Among the awards received:</p>
<p>The Tollway was honored for its innovative use of concrete in the construction of the $440 million I-290 Interchange with the Illinois Route 390 Tollway. The award from the American Concrete Institute recognized the Tollway for using high-performance concrete mixes to construct longer-lasting bridge decks, pavement and retaining walls. Read more <a href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/729049/20190514_Illinois_Tollway_Receives_Excellence_in_Concrete_Award_from_Illinois_Chapter_of_the_American_Concrete_Institute/6fa74409-4d8e-4290-868d-a7c74bdab252" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>
<p>The Tollway received a Toll Excellence Award for creating a new Customer Relationship Management System to more efficiently process a rapidly growing number of electronic toll transaction by customers using I-PASS or E-ZPass transponders. The award from the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association notes that the Tollway uses a comprehensive system that includes customer self-service payment features, enhanced cybersecurity and new roadway lane technologies to accurately and securely process nearly 3 million toll transactions daily. Read more <a href="https://www.ibtta.org/press-release/illinois-tollway-wins-2019-toll-excellence-award-developing-system-handle-major-move" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>
<p>The Tollway was honored for using biosolid waste products as natural fertilizers for native grasses, shrubs and trees planted along roadways and on other Tollway property. The award from the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District recognizes the Tollway for using the biosolids to reduce its reliance on chemical fertilizers and for sustainably using waste products that otherwise would be landfilled. Read more <a href="https://mwrd.org/mwrd-sustainability-summit-highlights-green-initiatives" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>
<p>Tollway staff receiving awards included:</p>
<ul>
<li>Executive Director Jose Alvarez was named Champion of the Year by the Chicago Latino Caucus for his leadership and determination to emphasize improved customer service.</li>
<li>Chief Engineering Officer Paul Kovacs received the national Outstanding Projects and Leaders Award from the American Society of Civil Engineers for his leadership in overseeing the Tollway’s 15-year, $14 billion <em>Move Illinois</em> capital program. Read more <a href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/729049/20190314+-+Illinois+Tollway+Chief+Engineering+Officer+Receives+American+Society+of+Civil+Engineers+2019+Outstanding+Projects+and+Leaders+Award/168602d5-0c24-4276-b63a-2a953aa26f08" target="_blank">here</a>.</li>
<li>Senior Manager of Strategic Planning Aimee Lee received the Innovative Transportation Solution Award from WTS Greater Chicago for her leadership in rapidly developing the master plan detailing how the Tollway will reconstruct and widen the 22-mile-long Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294). The $4 billion project is scheduled to be completed in 2026. Read more <a href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/729049/20190509+-+Illinois+Tollway+Senior+Manager+of+Strategic+Planning+Receives+Innovative+Transportation+Solution+Award+from+WTS+Greater+Chicago/01791ec4-50dc-40a5-8711-6a1468437579" target="_blank">here</a>. </li>
<li>Senior Project Engineer Laura Thompson was honored as Young Government Civil Engineer of the Year for her work on major Tollway projects, including the I-290 Interchange at Illinois Route 390 as well as improvement projects on the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88) and the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355). Read more <a href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/729049/20191002+-+Illinois+Tollway+Senior+Project+Engineer+Named+Young+Government+Civil+Engineer+of+the+Year/c8efa20b-6889-4b6a-bfad-7539b54ff45b" target="_blank">here</a>.</li>
</ul>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="ouyh" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2020-01-21]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
In 2019 Tollway Earned Awards for Innovation, Customer Service and Environmental Initiatives
Display date: 2020-01-21
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="uvaj" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"ILTollway_Winter Weather Driver Education Module - blog graphic.jpg","name":"ILTollway_Winter Weather Driver Education Module - blog graphic.jpg","width":"","description":"ILTollway_Winter Weather Driver Education Module - blog graphic.jpg","title":"ILTollway_Winter Weather Driver Education Module - blog graphic.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"2c1796c3-f048-4989-96f0-29cc7d1cb14a","fileEntryId":"816061","resourcePrimKey":"1228392","url":"/documents/20184/813542/ILTollway_Winter%20Weather%20Driver%20Education%20Module%20-%20blog%20graphic.jpg/2c1796c3-f048-4989-96f0-29cc7d1cb14a?t=1576510742324","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="pXCmZAzo" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="nnkq" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Launches New Driver Education Resources on Winter Weather Preparedness]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="N9szasKw" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="pcmp" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p><strong>Partnership with Illinois High School and College Driver Education Association Encourages Teens to “Get Winter Ready”</strong></p>
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<p>The Illinois Tollway is expanding efforts to equip driver education students and their families with the materials and insight to stay safe on Illinois roadways. <br />
As new drivers hit the road for their first winter season, the Illinois Tollway is working to prepare them through newly released “Get Winter Ready” high school driver education curriculum as part of its continued partnership with the Illinois High School and College Driver Education Association (IHSCDEA). </p>
<p>“Nearly half of all teens will be involved in a car crash before graduating from high school. To combat these alarming figures, the Illinois Tollway is proud to partner with educators across Illinois to promote roadway safety among student drivers, and especially to bring that message to other drivers in their family as well,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “It is especially important this time of year to foster conversations about what it takes to drive safe during winter weather conditions.”<br />
The “Get Winter Ready” curriculum combines the Illinois Tollway’s unique insight and resources to create an educational experience that is geared to improve decisions made by drivers behind the wheel during hazardous winter weather conditions. </p>
<p>“Our partnership with the Illinois Tollway was created with the shared goal of improving traffic safety and upgrading driver education in Illinois. Through our innovative approach to teaching, these winter weather driving resources represent the next milestone in our efforts to instill safe driving habits in our students from the very start of their driver education,” said IHSCDEA Past President Chris Wingate.</p>
<p>The IHSCDEA, established in 1952, is composed primarily of high school and college driver education instructors, supervisors, coordinators and safety enthusiasts throughout Illinois. Through its partnership with the Illinois Tollway, the IHSCDEA will connect their more than 700 members with educational resources pertaining to winter weather preparedness to share in classrooms across the state.</p>
<p>Along with sharing a behind-the-scenes perspective at how the Illinois Tollway prepares for winter weather, the educational resources promote best winter driving practices, and teaches drivers how to stay safe on the road in hazardous conditions by focusing on these key messages:</p>
<p>Plan Ahead: Check road conditions and use trusted forecasting sources before you leave so you know what route conditions to expect. Charge your phone and let others know of your planned route and arrival time. Know what to do during an emergency and take steps before your trip to maintain your vehicle like topping off fluids, filling up on gas, checking tire pressure and tread, and clearing snow and ice from your vehicle. </p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Slow and Steady Wins the Race</strong>: Avoid all distractions, especially cell phone use. Don’t use cruise control and minimize lane-changing maneuvers. Slow down to maintain a safe stopping distance. </li>
<li><strong>Stay Clear of a Snowplow’s Path</strong>: Conditions in front of a snowplow can be much worse so do not attempt to pass. See and be seen -- snowplow drivers have a reduced field of vision during operations.</li>
<li><strong>Give Them Distance</strong>: Remember that Scott’s Law applies during winter weather driving conditions. Severe weather often results in more vehicles on the side of the road in need of assistance and more emergency vehicles that are responding to incidents and assisting drivers. </li>
<li><strong>Know When to Stay off the Roads</strong>: Avoid driving during severe weather and use your best judgement -- when in doubt, stay home.</li>
</ul>
<p>As the Illinois Tollway continues to disseminate public safety messages based on timely and relevant topics, the educational partnerships are a key resource for ensuring that the public is aware of driving best practices.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="orqd" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-12-16]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Launches New Driver Education Resources on Winter Weather Preparedness
Display date: 2019-12-16
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="vmek" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"0","groupId":"20184","name":"40018","alt":"ILTollway_Winter Weather Driver Education Module - blog graphic.jpg","title":"ILTollway_Winter Weather Driver Education Module - blog graphic.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"2c1796c3-f048-4989-96f0-29cc7d1cb14a","fileEntryId":"816061","resourcePrimKey":"1142592"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="dq9OyQsX" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="zbcv" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Launches New Driver Education Resources on Winter Weather Preparedness]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="YGBZ5mKi" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="rrtz" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p><strong>Partnership with Illinois High School and College Driver Education Association Encourages Teens to “Get Winter Ready”</strong></p>
<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="10" style="width:220px;">
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<td><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/T3IANf8wb5A" width="560"></iframe></td>
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<td><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zaEFGmQRzl0" width="560"></iframe></td>
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<p>The Illinois Tollway is expanding efforts to equip driver education students and their families with the materials and insight to stay safe on Illinois roadways. <br />
As new drivers hit the road for their first winter season, the Illinois Tollway is working to prepare them through newly released “Get Winter Ready” high school driver education curriculum as part of its continued partnership with the Illinois High School and College Driver Education Association (IHSCDEA). </p>
<p>“Nearly half of all teens will be involved in a car crash before graduating from high school. To combat these alarming figures, the Illinois Tollway is proud to partner with educators across Illinois to promote roadway safety among student drivers, and especially to bring that message to other drivers in their family as well,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “It is especially important this time of year to foster conversations about what it takes to drive safe during winter weather conditions.”<br />
The “Get Winter Ready” curriculum combines the Illinois Tollway’s unique insight and resources to create an educational experience that is geared to improve decisions made by drivers behind the wheel during hazardous winter weather conditions. </p>
<p>“Our partnership with the Illinois Tollway was created with the shared goal of improving traffic safety and upgrading driver education in Illinois. Through our innovative approach to teaching, these winter weather driving resources represent the next milestone in our efforts to instill safe driving habits in our students from the very start of their driver education,” said IHSCDEA Past President Chris Wingate.</p>
<p>The IHSCDEA, established in 1952, is composed primarily of high school and college driver education instructors, supervisors, coordinators and safety enthusiasts throughout Illinois. Through its partnership with the Illinois Tollway, the IHSCDEA will connect their more than 700 members with educational resources pertaining to winter weather preparedness to share in classrooms across the state.</p>
<p>Along with sharing a behind-the-scenes perspective at how the Illinois Tollway prepares for winter weather, the educational resources promote best winter driving practices, and teaches drivers how to stay safe on the road in hazardous conditions by focusing on these key messages:</p>
<p>Plan Ahead: Check road conditions and use trusted forecasting sources before you leave so you know what route conditions to expect. Charge your phone and let others know of your planned route and arrival time. Know what to do during an emergency and take steps before your trip to maintain your vehicle like topping off fluids, filling up on gas, checking tire pressure and tread, and clearing snow and ice from your vehicle. </p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Slow and Steady Wins the Race</strong>: Avoid all distractions, especially cell phone use. Don’t use cruise control and minimize lane-changing maneuvers. Slow down to maintain a safe stopping distance. </li>
<li><strong>Stay Clear of a Snowplow’s Path</strong>: Conditions in front of a snowplow can be much worse so do not attempt to pass. See and be seen -- snowplow drivers have a reduced field of vision during operations.</li>
<li><strong>Give Them Distance</strong>: Remember that Scott’s Law applies during winter weather driving conditions. Severe weather often results in more vehicles on the side of the road in need of assistance and more emergency vehicles that are responding to incidents and assisting drivers. </li>
<li><strong>Know When to Stay off the Roads</strong>: Avoid driving during severe weather and use your best judgement -- when in doubt, stay home.</li>
</ul>
<p>As the Illinois Tollway continues to disseminate public safety messages based on timely and relevant topics, the educational partnerships are a key resource for ensuring that the public is aware of driving best practices.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="qojv" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-12-16]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Launches New Driver Education Resources on Winter Weather Preparedness
Display date: 2019-12-16
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="ctij" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"0","groupId":"20184","name":"40069","alt":"DriveSober_BlogHero-1219_1200x400.jpg","title":"DriveSober_BlogHero-1219_1200x400.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"418fdcee-0528-4b87-abbc-b1ad8617a552","fileEntryId":"819102","resourcePrimKey":"1228405"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="C2Q9OHFc" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="fpzq" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Travel Safely When Ringing In New Year's]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="rkYpLxHa" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="jptd" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Celebrating the New Year’s holiday with a drink or two? Then please start 2020 safely by designating a driver, grabbing a cab, booking a ride-share, or taking public transportation.</p>
<p>The Illinois Tollway and Illinois State Police District 15 are reminding drivers that alcohol and automobiles don’t mix—so don’t get behind the wheel after drinking at a holiday party or celebration. </p>
<p>District 15 state troopers patrolling the 294-mile Tollway system will focus on enforcing the fatal four violations--with a special emphasis on stopping motorists who are driving under the influence—along with ticketing those who are speeding, driving distracted and not wearing seat belts. Drivers also should protect themselves and others by following the Move Over Law, which requires drivers to slow down and, if possible, change lanes when approaching any vehicle stopped along the road with its hazard lights flashing. </p>
<p>“Safety is always our highest priority and we urge our customers who are celebrating the New Year to do so responsibly by avoiding drinking and driving,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “To help drivers who are traveling during the holiday, the Tollway will be running motorist aid patrols to ensure we quickly locate and assist drivers whose vehicles become disabled along our roads.”</p>
<p>Drivers who need help while traveling on the Tollway system should dial *999 to get assistance any time of the day or night from Tollway roadway maintenance crews or from Illinois State Police District 15. </p>
<p>The Tollway is running dedicated motorist aid patrols 24/7 across our system on December 31 and January 1. Additionally, the Tollway’s H.E.L.P. trucks will operate from 4 a.m. until 8 p.m. on both days—and those patrols could continue until midnight each day if traffic conditions require the additional hours.</p>
<p>Motorist aid and H.E.L.P. patrols can help stranded customers by changing tires, jump-starting batteries, providing fuel or arranging for a tow.</p>
<p>Drivers who want a break from traveling can take part in a continuing Tollway holiday tradition: 7-Eleven and McDonald’s are inviting motorists to stop at a Tollway oasis for a free small cup of coffee on New Year’s Eve. Times and locations are available at illinoistollway.com.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="qvbq" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-12-15]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Travel Safely When Ringing In New Year's
Display date: 2019-12-15
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="frvl" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"0","groupId":"20184","name":"40069","alt":"DriveSober_BlogHero-1219_1200x400.jpg","title":"DriveSober_BlogHero-1219_1200x400.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"418fdcee-0528-4b87-abbc-b1ad8617a552","fileEntryId":"819102","resourcePrimKey":"1142605"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="El2NG0gN" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="kikh" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Travel Safely When Ringing In New Year's]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="BIX1zrR9" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="tvvr" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Celebrating the New Year’s holiday with a drink or two? Then please start 2020 safely by designating a driver, grabbing a cab, booking a ride-share, or taking public transportation.</p>
<p>The Illinois Tollway and Illinois State Police District 15 are reminding drivers that alcohol and automobiles don’t mix—so don’t get behind the wheel after drinking at a holiday party or celebration. </p>
<p>District 15 state troopers patrolling the 294-mile Tollway system will focus on enforcing the fatal four violations--with a special emphasis on stopping motorists who are driving under the influence—along with ticketing those who are speeding, driving distracted and not wearing seat belts. Drivers also should protect themselves and others by following the Move Over Law, which requires drivers to slow down and, if possible, change lanes when approaching any vehicle stopped along the road with its hazard lights flashing. </p>
<p>“Safety is always our highest priority and we urge our customers who are celebrating the New Year to do so responsibly by avoiding drinking and driving,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “To help drivers who are traveling during the holiday, the Tollway will be running motorist aid patrols to ensure we quickly locate and assist drivers whose vehicles become disabled along our roads.”</p>
<p>Drivers who need help while traveling on the Tollway system should dial *999 to get assistance any time of the day or night from Tollway roadway maintenance crews or from Illinois State Police District 15. </p>
<p>The Tollway is running dedicated motorist aid patrols 24/7 across our system on December 31 and January 1. Additionally, the Tollway’s H.E.L.P. trucks will operate from 4 a.m. until 8 p.m. on both days—and those patrols could continue until midnight each day if traffic conditions require the additional hours.</p>
<p>Motorist aid and H.E.L.P. patrols can help stranded customers by changing tires, jump-starting batteries, providing fuel or arranging for a tow.</p>
<p>Drivers who want a break from traveling can take part in a continuing Tollway holiday tradition: 7-Eleven and McDonald’s are inviting motorists to stop at a Tollway oasis for a free small cup of coffee on New Year’s Eve. Times and locations are available at illinoistollway.com.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="akol" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-12-15]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Travel Safely When Ringing In New Year's
Display date: 2019-12-15
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="xhdb" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"I90-IL23_I88_IL47-blog_1219.jpg","name":"I90-IL23_I88_IL47-blog_1219.jpg","width":"","description":"I90-IL23_I88_IL47-blog_1219.jpg","title":"I90-IL23_I88_IL47-blog_1219.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"abccbc9f-7aff-4301-a84d-101712f1f811","fileEntryId":"815368","resourcePrimKey":"1228418","url":"/documents/20184/813542/I90-IL23_I88_IL47-blog_1219.jpg/abccbc9f-7aff-4301-a84d-101712f1f811?t=1576010475957","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="Jyx60Mzt" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="aile" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Delivering Two New Interchange Projects to Enhance Mobility in the Western Suburbs]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="NRT0csJq" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="usuf" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p><strong>New Tollway access for the Village of Sugar Grove and the City of Marengo will improve regional mobility and support economic development opportunites</strong></p>
<p>The Illinois Tollway is opening two new interchanges in the western suburbs to make traveling easier for commuters and commercial vehicles by providing better access to local communities and other major roadways.</p>
<p>New ramps at Illinois Route 47 and the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88) opened today (December 10), creating a full-access interchange in Sugar Grove that will provide another connection in Kane County between I-88 and a well-traveled state highway.</p>
<p>A new full-access interchange linking Illinois Route 23 to the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) in Marengo is scheduled to open on December 23, providing the first direct interstate connection to I-90 in McHenry County.</p>
<table border="0" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="10" style="width:600px;">
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<td><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MUM-oaTx0yM?rel=0" width="560"></iframe></td>
<td><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zXbMu3ix4fc?rel=0" width="560"></iframe></td>
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<p>Creating new transportation links and improving regional mobility will help support economic development and job growth.</p>
<p>“We’re investing in critical interchange improvements that make it easier for our customers to reach their homes and jobs, but also improve connections between our roads and other regional transportation routes, which encourages new economic development,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “By working with other transportation agencies and local governments, we’re sharing the costs of these improvements and leveraging the benefits they create across northern Illinois.”</p>
<p>The $25 million Illinois Route 47 Interchange Project adds two new ramps to accommodate traffic traveling to and from the east on I-88. Two existing ramps carrying traffic to and from the west were realigned and the bridge carrying Illinois Route 47 over I-88 was reconstructed as part of the project. The interchange carries about 3,000 vehicles daily.</p>
<p>The $33.4 million Illinois Route 23 Interchange Project is expected to serve about 4,800 vehicles daily. Local road improvements made as part of this project include construction of a roundabout intersection at nearby Illinois Route 23 and Harmony Road that is scheduled to be completed by 2020.</p>
<p>As part of its Interchange and Roadway Cost-Sharing Policy, the Tollway paid at least half the cost of each project, with the Illinois Department of Transportation contributing about 25 percent of the total. The remaining cost of each project is being shared by Sugar Grove and Kane County, and by Marengo and McHenry County.</p>
<p>Drivers, businesses and local communities are eager to start using the new interchanges they helped create.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="yeyo" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-12-10]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Delivering Two New Interchange Projects to Enhance Mobility in the Western Suburbs
Display date: 2019-12-10
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="xuia" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"0","groupId":"20184","name":"40010","alt":"I90-IL23_I88_IL47-blog_1219.jpg","title":"I90-IL23_I88_IL47-blog_1219.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"abccbc9f-7aff-4301-a84d-101712f1f811","fileEntryId":"815368","resourcePrimKey":"1142618"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="FGb7tMH1" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="otof" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Delivering Two New Interchange Projects to Enhance Mobility in the Western Suburbs]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="ctFACcSJ" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="lmst" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p><strong>New Tollway access for the Village of Sugar Grove and the City of Marengo will improve regional mobility and support economic development opportunites</strong></p>
<p>The Illinois Tollway is opening two new interchanges in the western suburbs to make traveling easier for commuters and commercial vehicles by providing better access to local communities and other major roadways.</p>
<p>New ramps at Illinois Route 47 and the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88) opened today (December 10), creating a full-access interchange in Sugar Grove that will provide another connection in Kane County between I-88 and a well-traveled state highway.</p>
<p>A new full-access interchange linking Illinois Route 23 to the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) in Marengo is scheduled to open on December 23, providing the first direct interstate connection to I-90 in McHenry County.</p>
<table border="0" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="10" style="width:600px;">
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<td><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MUM-oaTx0yM?rel=0" width="560"></iframe></td>
<td><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zXbMu3ix4fc?rel=0" width="560"></iframe></td>
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</table>
<p>Creating new transportation links and improving regional mobility will help support economic development and job growth.</p>
<p>“We’re investing in critical interchange improvements that make it easier for our customers to reach their homes and jobs, but also improve connections between our roads and other regional transportation routes, which encourages new economic development,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “By working with other transportation agencies and local governments, we’re sharing the costs of these improvements and leveraging the benefits they create across northern Illinois.”</p>
<p>The $25 million Illinois Route 47 Interchange Project adds two new ramps to accommodate traffic traveling to and from the east on I-88. Two existing ramps carrying traffic to and from the west were realigned and the bridge carrying Illinois Route 47 over I-88 was reconstructed as part of the project. The interchange carries about 3,000 vehicles daily.</p>
<p>The $33.4 million Illinois Route 23 Interchange Project is expected to serve about 4,800 vehicles daily. Local road improvements made as part of this project include construction of a roundabout intersection at nearby Illinois Route 23 and Harmony Road that is scheduled to be completed by 2020.</p>
<p>As part of its Interchange and Roadway Cost-Sharing Policy, the Tollway paid at least half the cost of each project, with the Illinois Department of Transportation contributing about 25 percent of the total. The remaining cost of each project is being shared by Sugar Grove and Kane County, and by Marengo and McHenry County.</p>
<p>Drivers, businesses and local communities are eager to start using the new interchanges they helped create.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="byux" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-12-10]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Delivering Two New Interchange Projects to Enhance Mobility in the Western Suburbs
Display date: 2019-12-10
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="luii" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"0","groupId":"20184","name":"39703","alt":"2019_Budget_1012x506-For Blog.jpg","title":"2019_Budget_1012x506-For Blog.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"1592f7d1-bcd4-4025-a66c-4d19c894ddba","fileEntryId":"813547","resourcePrimKey":"1228431"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="weFk8yuy" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="inji" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Approves 2020 Budget]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="1UcOnDOb" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="ypzk" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway Board of Directors today approved a balanced 2020 Budget with $1.54 billion in revenue allocated to fund maintenance and operations, debt service transfers and capital investments for the 294-mile system.</p>
<p>In addition, the budget will allow the Tollway to commit $1.46 billion in capital spending, including funding for the ninth year of the agency’s 15-year, $14 billion capital program, Move Illinois: The Illinois Tollway Driving the Future.</p>
<p>“This balanced budget enables us to keep the largest capital program in this agency’s history moving forward, including rebuilding the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) and delivering the new I-490 Tollway,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “We are spending our customers’ money wisely to maintain our system and services, while simultaneously funding capital investments that will create jobs and help support a greater diversity of businesses to stimulate the local and regional economies.”</p>
<p>In 2020 estimated revenues include $1.5 billion from tolls and evasion recovery, $30 million from investment income and $10 million from concessions and miscellaneous revenue. The Tollway also plans to issue $500 million in new bonds in 2020 to provide funding for new and future capital investments.</p>
<p>The 2020 Budget allocates nearly $1.2 billion for direct funding and debt service on capital investments, as well as $380 million for maintenance and operations – including $98.8 million in Business Systems to support and tolling and customer service, $34.8 million in State Police for safety services, $78.5 million in Engineering to support roadway maintenance and traffic operations, as well as $24.1 million in Information Technology.</p>
<p>The Tollway’s 2020 Capital Program calls for investing $1.46 billion, including $328.7 million budgeted for systemwide infrastructure repairs and technology investments to keep the existing Tollway system in good repair, as well as funding for key projects:</p>
<ul>
<li>$559.6 million to continue planning and advance construction for the new I-490 Tollway and new interchanges connecting to the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), Tri-State Tollway (I-294), the Illinois Route 390 Tollway, as well as providing direct access in and out of O’Hare International Airport as part of the Elgin O’Hare Western Access Project</li>
<li>$446.9 million to continue design and reconstruction of the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Project</li>
<li>$71.6 million for construction at the I-294/I-57 Interchange</li>
</ul>
<p>In keeping with the Tollway’s commitment to increasing transparency and accountability to the public, the 2020 Budget is posted on the Illinois Tollway website <a href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/about/finance#Budget" target="_blank">here</a> for public viewing.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="plhb" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-12-05]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Approves 2020 Budget
Display date: 2019-12-05
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="glkv" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"0","groupId":"20184","name":"39703","alt":"2019_Budget_1012x506-For Blog.jpg","title":"2019_Budget_1012x506-For Blog.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"1592f7d1-bcd4-4025-a66c-4d19c894ddba","fileEntryId":"813547","resourcePrimKey":"1142631"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="8MPxY9Us" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="ihfh" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Approves 2020 Budget]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="8Kw1t2Vb" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="xnpl" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway Board of Directors today approved a balanced 2020 Budget with $1.54 billion in revenue allocated to fund maintenance and operations, debt service transfers and capital investments for the 294-mile system.</p>
<p>In addition, the budget will allow the Tollway to commit $1.46 billion in capital spending, including funding for the ninth year of the agency’s 15-year, $14 billion capital program, Move Illinois: The Illinois Tollway Driving the Future.</p>
<p>“This balanced budget enables us to keep the largest capital program in this agency’s history moving forward, including rebuilding the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) and delivering the new I-490 Tollway,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “We are spending our customers’ money wisely to maintain our system and services, while simultaneously funding capital investments that will create jobs and help support a greater diversity of businesses to stimulate the local and regional economies.”</p>
<p>In 2020 estimated revenues include $1.5 billion from tolls and evasion recovery, $30 million from investment income and $10 million from concessions and miscellaneous revenue. The Tollway also plans to issue $500 million in new bonds in 2020 to provide funding for new and future capital investments.</p>
<p>The 2020 Budget allocates nearly $1.2 billion for direct funding and debt service on capital investments, as well as $380 million for maintenance and operations – including $98.8 million in Business Systems to support and tolling and customer service, $34.8 million in State Police for safety services, $78.5 million in Engineering to support roadway maintenance and traffic operations, as well as $24.1 million in Information Technology.</p>
<p>The Tollway’s 2020 Capital Program calls for investing $1.46 billion, including $328.7 million budgeted for systemwide infrastructure repairs and technology investments to keep the existing Tollway system in good repair, as well as funding for key projects:</p>
<ul>
<li>$559.6 million to continue planning and advance construction for the new I-490 Tollway and new interchanges connecting to the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), Tri-State Tollway (I-294), the Illinois Route 390 Tollway, as well as providing direct access in and out of O’Hare International Airport as part of the Elgin O’Hare Western Access Project</li>
<li>$446.9 million to continue design and reconstruction of the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Project</li>
<li>$71.6 million for construction at the I-294/I-57 Interchange</li>
</ul>
<p>In keeping with the Tollway’s commitment to increasing transparency and accountability to the public, the 2020 Budget is posted on the Illinois Tollway website <a href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/about/finance#Budget" target="_blank">here</a> for public viewing.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="mtbg" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-12-05]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Approves 2020 Budget
Display date: 2019-12-05
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="mqio" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"ToysforTots-total-blog_1219.jpg","name":"ToysforTots-total-blog_1219.jpg","width":"","description":"ToysforTots-total-blog_1219.jpg","title":"ToysforTots-total-blog_1219.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"4bb7aec9-e7f5-4d9e-8fd3-21a4f3da1a2e","fileEntryId":"816704","resourcePrimKey":"1228444","url":"/documents/20184/813542/ToysforTots-total-blog_1219.jpg/4bb7aec9-e7f5-4d9e-8fd3-21a4f3da1a2e?t=1576616809459","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="V6HRCWX6" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="tgoe" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Record Number of Toys Donated]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="mDMvAdBC" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="nonx" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Illinois Tollway employees and our customers gave St. Nick a run for his money this holiday season, swooping in to drop off a record number of toys, games, dolls and bikes at Tollway headquarters for the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program.</p>
<p>When the toys were tallied, the Tollway had collected 1,423 gifts that will be distributed to less fortunate children in the Chicago area to help put smiles on their faces on Christmas day. Last year, the Toys for Tots program collected about 1,300 toys.</p>
<p>“We’re pleased to help make the holidays brighter by collecting these toys, bikes and games so boys and girls can look forward to having gifts to open on Christmas morning,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “We also want to thank all of our customers who also donated gifts to bring some holiday cheer to the children who will receive these gifts.”</p>
<p>The Tollway supports the Toys for Tots program annually but has expanded participation in recent years by asking members of the public to also contribute toys to help brighten the holiday for children. </p>
<p>Tollway customers and members of the public have embraced the chance to participate in the Toys for Tots campaign, dropping off their gifts when they visited the customer service center or just stopping by to donate presents.</p>
<p>This year, Tollway customers donated the final three gifts, providing a final touch of Christmas cheer that will linger long after the holiday season has passed.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="ckem" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-12-01]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Record Number of Toys Donated
Display date: 2019-12-01
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="letd" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"0","groupId":"20184","name":"40032","alt":"ToysforTots-total-blog_1219.jpg","title":"ToysforTots-total-blog_1219.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"4bb7aec9-e7f5-4d9e-8fd3-21a4f3da1a2e","fileEntryId":"816704","resourcePrimKey":"1142644"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="yTJ3U3LS" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="mkkn" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Record Number of Toys Donated]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="Zz4QCwyC" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="upkv" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Illinois Tollway employees and our customers gave St. Nick a run for his money this holiday season, swooping in to drop off a record number of toys, games, dolls and bikes at Tollway headquarters for the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program.</p>
<p>When the toys were tallied, the Tollway had collected 1,423 gifts that will be distributed to less fortunate children in the Chicago area to help put smiles on their faces on Christmas day. Last year, the Toys for Tots program collected about 1,300 toys.</p>
<p>“We’re pleased to help make the holidays brighter by collecting these toys, bikes and games so boys and girls can look forward to having gifts to open on Christmas morning,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “We also want to thank all of our customers who also donated gifts to bring some holiday cheer to the children who will receive these gifts.”</p>
<p>The Tollway supports the Toys for Tots program annually but has expanded participation in recent years by asking members of the public to also contribute toys to help brighten the holiday for children. </p>
<p>Tollway customers and members of the public have embraced the chance to participate in the Toys for Tots campaign, dropping off their gifts when they visited the customer service center or just stopping by to donate presents.</p>
<p>This year, Tollway customers donated the final three gifts, providing a final touch of Christmas cheer that will linger long after the holiday season has passed.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="hdht" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-12-01]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Record Number of Toys Donated
Display date: 2019-12-01
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="lpol" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"0","groupId":"20184","name":"39340","alt":"Sustainability-blog_1119.png","title":"Sustainability-blog_1119.png","type":"journal","uuid":"84660bfd-9b3e-4f50-843b-fee70b7987df","fileEntryId":"809814","resourcePrimKey":"1228457"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="ONuatRwu" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="lcxa" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[A Commitment to Sustainability]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="mcfFh1ni" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="takn" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Sustainability is built into everything we do at the Illinois Tollway. From LEED-certified facilities to environmentally conscious de-icing efforts, the Tollway is constantly looking for ways to make our footprint leaner and greener. In addition to a comprehensive landscaping plan, the Illinois Tollway looks to inject green construction practices and environmentally friendly materials throughout our 294-mile system. <br />
<br />
It’s all part of the Tollway’s commitment to reduce the impact of our roads on the environment.<br />
<br />
To protect water quality and better manage stormwater runoff from roads, the Tollway builds detention ponds and bioswales that include native plants and natural features to filter water and remove road salt and other impurities. The Tollway is building drainage systems on new bridges over key waterways like the Fox River and Des Plaines River that channel stormwater into these filtering structures and prevents it from running directly into the rivers. <br />
<br />
We also work to offset the impact of road construction by restoring and improving wetland areas to store floodwaters, recharge groundwater supplies and filter sediments and pollutants from runoff. Trees are springing up along the Tollway system as part of our initiative to plant 58,000 saplings to increase the regional tree canopy, provide habitat for birds and insects while beautifying roadsides.<br />
<br />
To find out more about Tollway environmental initiatives, visit out our new webpage dedicated to highlighting our sustainability efforts. We’ll be continually be adding information and highlighting new initiatives so check it out <a href="/sustainability" target="_blank">here</a>!]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="seuf" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-11-14]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
A Commitment to Sustainability
Display date: 2019-11-14
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="qigg" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"0","groupId":"20184","name":"39340","alt":"Sustainability-blog_1119.png","title":"Sustainability-blog_1119.png","type":"journal","uuid":"84660bfd-9b3e-4f50-843b-fee70b7987df","fileEntryId":"809814","resourcePrimKey":"1142657"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="on8XqYgi" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="onfa" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[A Commitment to Sustainability]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="UWNOwuha" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="bjdf" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Sustainability is built into everything we do at the Illinois Tollway. From LEED-certified facilities to environmentally conscious de-icing efforts, the Tollway is constantly looking for ways to make our footprint leaner and greener. In addition to a comprehensive landscaping plan, the Illinois Tollway looks to inject green construction practices and environmentally friendly materials throughout our 294-mile system. <br />
<br />
It’s all part of the Tollway’s commitment to reduce the impact of our roads on the environment.<br />
<br />
To protect water quality and better manage stormwater runoff from roads, the Tollway builds detention ponds and bioswales that include native plants and natural features to filter water and remove road salt and other impurities. The Tollway is building drainage systems on new bridges over key waterways like the Fox River and Des Plaines River that channel stormwater into these filtering structures and prevents it from running directly into the rivers. <br />
<br />
We also work to offset the impact of road construction by restoring and improving wetland areas to store floodwaters, recharge groundwater supplies and filter sediments and pollutants from runoff. Trees are springing up along the Tollway system as part of our initiative to plant 58,000 saplings to increase the regional tree canopy, provide habitat for birds and insects while beautifying roadsides.<br />
<br />
To find out more about Tollway environmental initiatives, visit out our new webpage dedicated to highlighting our sustainability efforts. We’ll be continually be adding information and highlighting new initiatives so check it out <a href="/sustainability" target="_blank">here</a>!]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="sgzh" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-11-14]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
A Commitment to Sustainability
Display date: 2019-11-14
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="niea" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Halloween Snowstorm.jpg","name":"Halloween Snowstorm.jpg","width":"","description":"Halloween Snowstorm.jpg","title":"Halloween Snowstorm.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"d39f2ee9-f65c-4cc5-a4ae-226ef9dbb0f4","fileEntryId":"806478","resourcePrimKey":"1228470","url":"/documents/20184/801838/Halloween%20Snowstorm.jpg/d39f2ee9-f65c-4cc5-a4ae-226ef9dbb0f4?t=1572542781135","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="RxjpOSdp" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="aeke" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Tollway Ready For Halloween Snowstorm]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="ITRw9MRS" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="rvod" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<div>Winter arrived early this year with a Halloween snowstorm, but the Illinois Tollway was ready to roll, deploying all of its 196 snowplows and opening its Snow Operations Center to clear roads and keep traffic moving.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>“We’re committed to serving our customers by rapidly clearing snow and ice from our roads so drivers can continue to travel safely and by quickly assisting any customers whose vehicles become disabled along our system,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “Drivers can help us meet these challenges by slowing down and increasing their distance from the vehicles around them, especially snowplows and emergency vehicles.”</div>
<div> </div>
<div>With more storms expected this winter, the Tollway asks drivers to take a few simple safety precautions during severe weather and to remember help is always just a phone call away.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Any drivers whose vehicles become disabled or who need help while traveling on the Tollway system should dial *999 from a cellphone to receive assistance from Tollway workers or from Illinois State Police District 15.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The Tollway reminds drivers to protect themselves, other drivers and emergency responders by obeying the Move Over Law, which requires drivers to slow down and change lanes safely when they approach any stopped vehicle that has flashing emergency or hazard lights.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The Tollway assists drivers by providing information to help them reach their destinations safely during winter weather, including using its Traffic and Incident Management System (TIMS) to display real-time travel times and roadway conditions on over-the-road electronic message signs throughout the Tollway. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Real-time roadway incident information including the type of incident, location and impact on traffic is also available on the Tollway’s website or via Twitter to assist drivers in planning their trips. Drivers can sign up for Tollway Trip Tweets at twitter.com or from the Tollway’s website at illinoistollway.com. Tweeters can follow all five Tollway Trips or just the roadways that interest them.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The five are: @94_294_Tollway, @I_90_Tollway, @I_88_Tollway, @I_355_Tollway and @IL_390_Tollway.</div>
<div> </div>
<div><strong>Tollway Travel Tips </strong></div>
<div>The Tollway offers the following tips for winter weather events: </div>
<ul>
<li>Slow down and leave enough time to reach your destination.</li>
<li>Do not make sudden lane changes and always use your turn signal.</li>
<li>Don't follow too closely and increase your intervals between vehicles. </li>
<li>Remember to always wear your safety belt and ensure children under the age of 8 are securely restrained in child safety seats. </li>
<li>Drop It and Drive. Don't text or use a hand-held cellphone while driving. Both are illegal. </li>
</ul>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="vtvc" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-10-31]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Tollway Ready For Halloween Snowstorm
Display date: 2019-10-31
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="vend" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"0","groupId":"20184","name":"38980","alt":"Halloween Snowstorm.jpg","title":"Halloween Snowstorm.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"d39f2ee9-f65c-4cc5-a4ae-226ef9dbb0f4","fileEntryId":"806478","resourcePrimKey":"1142670"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="J7FRdFHm" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="ckig" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Tollway Ready For Halloween Snowstorm]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="kUqyX1so" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="rgex" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<div>Winter arrived early this year with a Halloween snowstorm, but the Illinois Tollway was ready to roll, deploying all of its 196 snowplows and opening its Snow Operations Center to clear roads and keep traffic moving.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>“We’re committed to serving our customers by rapidly clearing snow and ice from our roads so drivers can continue to travel safely and by quickly assisting any customers whose vehicles become disabled along our system,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “Drivers can help us meet these challenges by slowing down and increasing their distance from the vehicles around them, especially snowplows and emergency vehicles.”</div>
<div> </div>
<div>With more storms expected this winter, the Tollway asks drivers to take a few simple safety precautions during severe weather and to remember help is always just a phone call away.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Any drivers whose vehicles become disabled or who need help while traveling on the Tollway system should dial *999 from a cellphone to receive assistance from Tollway workers or from Illinois State Police District 15.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The Tollway reminds drivers to protect themselves, other drivers and emergency responders by obeying the Move Over Law, which requires drivers to slow down and change lanes safely when they approach any stopped vehicle that has flashing emergency or hazard lights.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The Tollway assists drivers by providing information to help them reach their destinations safely during winter weather, including using its Traffic and Incident Management System (TIMS) to display real-time travel times and roadway conditions on over-the-road electronic message signs throughout the Tollway. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Real-time roadway incident information including the type of incident, location and impact on traffic is also available on the Tollway’s website or via Twitter to assist drivers in planning their trips. Drivers can sign up for Tollway Trip Tweets at twitter.com or from the Tollway’s website at illinoistollway.com. Tweeters can follow all five Tollway Trips or just the roadways that interest them.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The five are: @94_294_Tollway, @I_90_Tollway, @I_88_Tollway, @I_355_Tollway and @IL_390_Tollway.</div>
<div> </div>
<div><strong>Tollway Travel Tips </strong></div>
<div>The Tollway offers the following tips for winter weather events: </div>
<ul>
<li>Slow down and leave enough time to reach your destination.</li>
<li>Do not make sudden lane changes and always use your turn signal.</li>
<li>Don't follow too closely and increase your intervals between vehicles. </li>
<li>Remember to always wear your safety belt and ensure children under the age of 8 are securely restrained in child safety seats. </li>
<li>Drop It and Drive. Don't text or use a hand-held cellphone while driving. Both are illegal. </li>
</ul>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="frgg" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-10-31]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Tollway Ready For Halloween Snowstorm
Display date: 2019-10-31
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="vlcs" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"2019 BreastCancerDay-1200x400_1019-01.jpg","name":"2019 BreastCancerDay-1200x400_1019-01.jpg","width":"","description":"2019 BreastCancerDay-1200x400_1019-01.jpg","title":"2019 BreastCancerDay-1200x400_1019-01.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"4829b474-dcec-4b5b-93eb-9f2ca834b27d","fileEntryId":"805036","resourcePrimKey":"1228483","url":"/documents/20184/801838/2019%20BreastCancerDay-1200x400_1019-01.jpg/4829b474-dcec-4b5b-93eb-9f2ca834b27d?t=1571689570426","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="PzzPaGs8" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="gqtr" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Supports Breast Cancer Awareness Month]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="zAXf4mo7" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="pydh" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Pink will be the color of the day at the Illinois Tollway on October 25 as staff show their support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.</p>
<p>Many employees will be wearing pink clothing to work as part of the Tollway’s efforts to increase awareness and provide more information about breast cancer.</p>
<p>Working with the American Cancer Society and Advocate Health, the Tollway will offer health consultations and information sessions about breast cancer to employees, with representatives from those organizations available to answer questions, discuss cancer risks, share prevention tips and describe screening options. Advocate Health representatives will even help Tollway employees make appointments for mammograms.</p>
<p>Supporting Breast Cancer Awareness Day is part of the Tollway’s overall commitment to protecting the health and safety of its employees and customers.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="xudu" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-10-21]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Supports Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Display date: 2019-10-21
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="uvym" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"0","groupId":"20184","name":"38927","alt":"2019 BreastCancerDay-1200x400_1019-01.jpg","title":"2019 BreastCancerDay-1200x400_1019-01.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"4829b474-dcec-4b5b-93eb-9f2ca834b27d","fileEntryId":"805036","resourcePrimKey":"1142683"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="Rj2wQN43" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="czja" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Supports Breast Cancer Awareness Month]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="dnAbKQe7" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="bmij" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Pink will be the color of the day at the Illinois Tollway on October 25 as staff show their support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.</p>
<p>Many employees will be wearing pink clothing to work as part of the Tollway’s efforts to increase awareness and provide more information about breast cancer.</p>
<p>Working with the American Cancer Society and Advocate Health, the Tollway will offer health consultations and information sessions about breast cancer to employees, with representatives from those organizations available to answer questions, discuss cancer risks, share prevention tips and describe screening options. Advocate Health representatives will even help Tollway employees make appointments for mammograms.</p>
<p>Supporting Breast Cancer Awareness Day is part of the Tollway’s overall commitment to protecting the health and safety of its employees and customers.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="mkpo" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-10-21]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Supports Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Display date: 2019-10-21
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="ipoi" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"0","groupId":"20184","name":"38469","alt":"TIMS-edit.jpg","title":"TIMS-edit.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"1380271c-d5f7-4acf-9710-cda79bb77dac","fileEntryId":"801457","resourcePrimKey":"1228496"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="tIkM8uSE" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="zzyb" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Tollway Traffic Technology Project Wins Top Award]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="YwTP9fv3" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="lneu" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="5" style="width:300px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><img alt="" src="/documents/20184/798477/TIMS-Steve+Elyse.jpg/883d2427-a607-4532-9caa-8c94921bc0ac?t=1569868751254" style="width: 350px;" /></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>The Illinois Tollway collects detailed traffic information from cameras, weather stations, road sensors and, for the first time, Tollway drivers themselves to more efficiently manage traffic flow, reduce congestion and respond more quickly to roadway incidents.<br />
<br />
The Tollway’s successful transition to using data gathered from drivers by Waze and other outside sources to improve its operations and better serve its customers has been honored as Project of the Year by the Intelligent Transportation Society of the Midwest, a roadway industry group.<br />
<br />
All of the data collected flows into the Tollway’s Traffic and Incident Management System, where it is processed and reported in real time to stakeholders that include roadway maintenance workers, emergency responders, media outlets and is also sent via Twitter to customers. <br />
<br />
Waze is a navigation app that provides real-time, location-based information from drivers using its GPS services. By accessing this data, the Tollway operations staff has the ability to quickly identify and respond to crashes and other roadway incidents. Clearing roadway incidents rapidly helps cut traffic backups and reduces the potential for other, secondary crashes.<br />
<br />
The data-sharing partnership also allows Tollway drivers to receive advance warnings on crashes, stalled vehicles and roadway debris that could cause traffic congestion.<br />
<br />
Currently, Waze is providing more than 5,000 traffic event reports monthly to the Tollway’s Traffic Operations Center, which monitors roadway operations and incident responses.<br />
<br />
The Tollway is continuing to add additional technology to improve its system and the services it provides to its 1.6 million daily drivers.<br />
<br />
In addition to using data from Waze, the Tollway is evaluating driving data obtained from three additional companies: HERE, INRIX and Verizon to determine the best way to incorporate that information into ongoing Tollway projects, including the $4 billion reconstruction of a 22-mile segment of the Central Tri-State Tollway.<br />
<br />
The Tollway also has begun testing a wrong-way driving detection and alert system that uses traffic data from roadside sensors to provide rapid warning to customers of a possible wrong-way driver.</p>
<table border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width:800px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td colspan="3" rowspan="1">Tollway customers can "follow" each of the five tollways – the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80), Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355), and the Illinois Route 390 Tollway – to receive real-time roadway incident information to help plan their trips.</td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a class="twitter-timeline" data-chrome="nofooter noborders noscrollbar transparent" data-tweet-limit="1" href="https://twitter.com/I_90_Tollway">Tweets by @I_90_Tollway</a></td>
<td><a class="twitter-timeline" data-chrome="nofooter noborders noscrollbar transparent" data-tweet-limit="1" data-widget-id="603284147390537728" href="https://twitter.com/94_294_Tollway">Tweets by @94_294_Tollway</a></td>
<td><a class="twitter-timeline" data-chrome="nofooter noborders noscrollbar transparent" data-tweet-limit="1" data-widget-id="603277582344331264" href="https://twitter.com/I_88_Tollway">Tweets by @I_88_Tollway</a></td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a class="twitter-timeline" data-chrome="nofooter noborders noscrollbar transparent" data-height="200" data-tweet-limit="1" data-widget-id="603281396497555457" href="https://twitter.com/I_355_Tollway">Tweets by @I_355_Tollway</a></td>
<td>
<p><a class="twitter-timeline" data-chrome="nofooter noborders noscrollbar transparent" data-height="200" data-tweet-limit="1" href="https://twitter.com/IL_390_Tollway">Tweets by @IL_390_Tollway</a> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
</td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p> </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="yxou" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-10-10]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Tollway Traffic Technology Project Wins Top Award
Display date: 2019-10-10
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="cirz" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"0","groupId":"20184","name":"38469","alt":"TIMS-edit.jpg","title":"TIMS-edit.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"1380271c-d5f7-4acf-9710-cda79bb77dac","fileEntryId":"801457","resourcePrimKey":"1142696"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="hyCkE5c7" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="dsna" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Tollway Traffic Technology Project Wins Top Award]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="UnHR5k6z" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="ycth" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="5" style="width:300px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><img alt="" src="/documents/20184/798477/TIMS-Steve+Elyse.jpg/883d2427-a607-4532-9caa-8c94921bc0ac?t=1569868751254" style="width: 350px;" /></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>The Illinois Tollway collects detailed traffic information from cameras, weather stations, road sensors and, for the first time, Tollway drivers themselves to more efficiently manage traffic flow, reduce congestion and respond more quickly to roadway incidents.<br />
<br />
The Tollway’s successful transition to using data gathered from drivers by Waze and other outside sources to improve its operations and better serve its customers has been honored as Project of the Year by the Intelligent Transportation Society of the Midwest, a roadway industry group.<br />
<br />
All of the data collected flows into the Tollway’s Traffic and Incident Management System, where it is processed and reported in real time to stakeholders that include roadway maintenance workers, emergency responders, media outlets and is also sent via Twitter to customers. <br />
<br />
Waze is a navigation app that provides real-time, location-based information from drivers using its GPS services. By accessing this data, the Tollway operations staff has the ability to quickly identify and respond to crashes and other roadway incidents. Clearing roadway incidents rapidly helps cut traffic backups and reduces the potential for other, secondary crashes.<br />
<br />
The data-sharing partnership also allows Tollway drivers to receive advance warnings on crashes, stalled vehicles and roadway debris that could cause traffic congestion.<br />
<br />
Currently, Waze is providing more than 5,000 traffic event reports monthly to the Tollway’s Traffic Operations Center, which monitors roadway operations and incident responses.<br />
<br />
The Tollway is continuing to add additional technology to improve its system and the services it provides to its 1.6 million daily drivers.<br />
<br />
In addition to using data from Waze, the Tollway is evaluating driving data obtained from three additional companies: HERE, INRIX and Verizon to determine the best way to incorporate that information into ongoing Tollway projects, including the $4 billion reconstruction of a 22-mile segment of the Central Tri-State Tollway.<br />
<br />
The Tollway also has begun testing a wrong-way driving detection and alert system that uses traffic data from roadside sensors to provide rapid warning to customers of a possible wrong-way driver.</p>
<table border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width:800px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td colspan="3" rowspan="1">Tollway customers can "follow" each of the five tollways – the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80), Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355), and the Illinois Route 390 Tollway – to receive real-time roadway incident information to help plan their trips.</td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a class="twitter-timeline" data-chrome="nofooter noborders noscrollbar transparent" data-tweet-limit="1" href="https://twitter.com/I_90_Tollway">Tweets by @I_90_Tollway</a></td>
<td><a class="twitter-timeline" data-chrome="nofooter noborders noscrollbar transparent" data-tweet-limit="1" data-widget-id="603284147390537728" href="https://twitter.com/94_294_Tollway">Tweets by @94_294_Tollway</a></td>
<td><a class="twitter-timeline" data-chrome="nofooter noborders noscrollbar transparent" data-tweet-limit="1" data-widget-id="603277582344331264" href="https://twitter.com/I_88_Tollway">Tweets by @I_88_Tollway</a></td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a class="twitter-timeline" data-chrome="nofooter noborders noscrollbar transparent" data-height="200" data-tweet-limit="1" data-widget-id="603281396497555457" href="https://twitter.com/I_355_Tollway">Tweets by @I_355_Tollway</a></td>
<td>
<p><a class="twitter-timeline" data-chrome="nofooter noborders noscrollbar transparent" data-height="200" data-tweet-limit="1" href="https://twitter.com/IL_390_Tollway">Tweets by @IL_390_Tollway</a> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
</td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p> </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="jvyb" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-10-10]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Tollway Traffic Technology Project Wins Top Award
Display date: 2019-10-10
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="usum" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"2019 LED-w logo_1200x400_1019.jpg","name":"2019 LED-w logo_1200x400_1019.jpg","width":"","description":"2019 LED-w logo_1200x400_1019.jpg","title":"2019 LED-w logo_1200x400_1019.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"35e76e81-568b-43a2-af32-f49ebd184077","fileEntryId":"802759","resourcePrimKey":"1228509","url":"/documents/20184/801838/2019%20LED-w%20logo_1200x400_1019.jpg/35e76e81-568b-43a2-af32-f49ebd184077?t=1570650680524","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="6tzsLcJ9" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="xytf" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Lighting the Way to Safer, More Energy-Efficient LED Lights]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="vUt2mzU9" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="zkrg" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2" style="width:300px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/avyGQ0NcflU?rel=0" width="560"></iframe></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>The Illinois Tollway is upgrading lighting across its system to energy-efficient LED fixtures. By retrofitting existing light fixtures and designing and building new LED fixtures as part of the Move Illinois capital program, the Tollway’s LED lighting efforts are improving customer safety while reducing energy consumption and realizing cost savings. </p>
<p>“As we prioritize safety, we are always mindful of our environmental footprint. Not only are we providing a more direct, uniform light to expand visibility for drivers through new LED lighting, this program provides a significant opportunity to achieve a more efficient use of electricity. Each light fixture is estimated to save about 1000 kilowatt-hours annually,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. </p>
<p>Long-term benefits for customers will be realized through overall energy reduction. For example, a one-mile section along the Tri-State Tollway (I-294), the Tollway reduced energy by 55 percent which resulted in a more than 38 percent cost savings. </p>
<p>Other benefits include a longer lifespan, which results in less maintenance for Tollway crews.</p>
<p>The Illinois Tollway projects by 2021 90 percent of the system lighting will be LED, including a large portion of the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), all of the Illinois Route 390 Tollway and portions of the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80), Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355) and the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88). </p>
<p>The Tollway plans to achieve 100 percent LED lighting by the end of 2026.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="ozyj" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-10-09]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Lighting the Way to Safer, More Energy-Efficient LED Lights
Display date: 2019-10-09
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="jana" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"0","groupId":"20184","name":"38500","alt":"2019 LED-w logo_1200x400_1019.jpg","title":"2019 LED-w logo_1200x400_1019.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"35e76e81-568b-43a2-af32-f49ebd184077","fileEntryId":"802759","resourcePrimKey":"1142709"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="iYtnTmL1" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="ajse" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Lighting the Way to Safer, More Energy-Efficient LED Lights]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="il6RtHvB" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="tezi" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2" style="width:300px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/avyGQ0NcflU?rel=0" width="560"></iframe></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>The Illinois Tollway is upgrading lighting across its system to energy-efficient LED fixtures. By retrofitting existing light fixtures and designing and building new LED fixtures as part of the Move Illinois capital program, the Tollway’s LED lighting efforts are improving customer safety while reducing energy consumption and realizing cost savings. </p>
<p>“As we prioritize safety, we are always mindful of our environmental footprint. Not only are we providing a more direct, uniform light to expand visibility for drivers through new LED lighting, this program provides a significant opportunity to achieve a more efficient use of electricity. Each light fixture is estimated to save about 1000 kilowatt-hours annually,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. </p>
<p>Long-term benefits for customers will be realized through overall energy reduction. For example, a one-mile section along the Tri-State Tollway (I-294), the Tollway reduced energy by 55 percent which resulted in a more than 38 percent cost savings. </p>
<p>Other benefits include a longer lifespan, which results in less maintenance for Tollway crews.</p>
<p>The Illinois Tollway projects by 2021 90 percent of the system lighting will be LED, including a large portion of the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), all of the Illinois Route 390 Tollway and portions of the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80), Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355) and the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88). </p>
<p>The Tollway plans to achieve 100 percent LED lighting by the end of 2026.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="oujy" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-10-09]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Lighting the Way to Safer, More Energy-Efficient LED Lights
Display date: 2019-10-09
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="ugtz" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"0","groupId":"20184","name":"38480","alt":"2019 Engineer of the year 290-390.jpg","title":"2019 Engineer of the year 290-390.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"3663c50f-ffad-457a-b0bd-b333a646c189","fileEntryId":"801842","resourcePrimKey":"1228522"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="h7OJZZdN" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="njrz" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Tollway Senior Project Engineer Named Young Government Civil Engineer of the Year]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="pAXQCvtR" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="nink" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="5" style="width:300px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><img alt="" src="/documents/20184/801838/2019+Engineer+of+the+year+Laura+T.jpg/36ccd4e1-9b55-45f2-8d03-cf5873be54bb?t=1570115633919" style="width: 350px;" /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><sub>Illinois Tollway Senior Project Engineer, Laura Thompson, P.E. (left), with Megan McDonald, P.E., president-elect, Illinois Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers</sub></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>Since coming to work for the Illinois Tollway in 2013, Senior Project Engineer Laura Thompson has helped complete complex roadway projects, refined the use of sophisticated 3-D modeling for construction design and also found time to mentor students considering careers in engineering.</p>
<p>Her accomplishments have led to Thompson being honored as the 2019 Young Government Civil Engineer of the Year by the Illinois Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers.</p>
<p>“Laura Thompson has used her engineering expertise, management abilities and communications skills to play a leadership role on complex projects and we are pleased to see her efforts being recognized by the engineering community,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “The work Laura has accomplished since joining the Tollway demonstrates the depth of engineering talent we have working for our customers.”</p>
<p>The award is presented annually to a professional engineer 35 years of age or less who has demonstrated outstanding engineering achievement in the public sector, worked to advance the civil engineering profession and contributed to community service.</p>
<p>Thompson was recognized by ASCE Illinois for her work in completing the I-290/Illinois Route 390 Interchange, as well as her role in making improvements to the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88) and the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355).</p>
<p>She also was cited by the group for spearheading the use of 3-D computer modeling on the Illinois Route 47 Interchange Project on I-88, which fosters more efficient construction, while saving time and reducing costs.</p>
<p>Thompson also volunteers her time and professional experience to speak with students who are pursuing engineering careers, including meeting with students at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, while also encouraging younger students enrolled in Aurora University’s STEM Partnership School to consider engineering careers.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="agme" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-09-23]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Tollway Senior Project Engineer Named Young Government Civil Engineer of the Year
Display date: 2019-09-23
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="voyh" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"0","groupId":"20184","name":"38480","alt":"2019 Engineer of the year 290-390.jpg","title":"2019 Engineer of the year 290-390.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"3663c50f-ffad-457a-b0bd-b333a646c189","fileEntryId":"801842","resourcePrimKey":"1142722"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="FxQT5ihW" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="debz" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Tollway Senior Project Engineer Named Young Government Civil Engineer of the Year]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="Axlhnpqn" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="nroi" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="5" style="width:300px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><img alt="" src="/documents/20184/801838/2019+Engineer+of+the+year+Laura+T.jpg/36ccd4e1-9b55-45f2-8d03-cf5873be54bb?t=1570115633919" style="width: 350px;" /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><sub>Illinois Tollway Senior Project Engineer, Laura Thompson, P.E. (left), with Megan McDonald, P.E., president-elect, Illinois Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers</sub></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>Since coming to work for the Illinois Tollway in 2013, Senior Project Engineer Laura Thompson has helped complete complex roadway projects, refined the use of sophisticated 3-D modeling for construction design and also found time to mentor students considering careers in engineering.</p>
<p>Her accomplishments have led to Thompson being honored as the 2019 Young Government Civil Engineer of the Year by the Illinois Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers.</p>
<p>“Laura Thompson has used her engineering expertise, management abilities and communications skills to play a leadership role on complex projects and we are pleased to see her efforts being recognized by the engineering community,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “The work Laura has accomplished since joining the Tollway demonstrates the depth of engineering talent we have working for our customers.”</p>
<p>The award is presented annually to a professional engineer 35 years of age or less who has demonstrated outstanding engineering achievement in the public sector, worked to advance the civil engineering profession and contributed to community service.</p>
<p>Thompson was recognized by ASCE Illinois for her work in completing the I-290/Illinois Route 390 Interchange, as well as her role in making improvements to the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88) and the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355).</p>
<p>She also was cited by the group for spearheading the use of 3-D computer modeling on the Illinois Route 47 Interchange Project on I-88, which fosters more efficient construction, while saving time and reducing costs.</p>
<p>Thompson also volunteers her time and professional experience to speak with students who are pursuing engineering careers, including meeting with students at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, while also encouraging younger students enrolled in Aurora University’s STEM Partnership School to consider engineering careers.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="ryfn" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-09-23]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Tollway Senior Project Engineer Named Young Government Civil Engineer of the Year
Display date: 2019-09-23
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="clca" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"ArtContest-blog_0819.jpg","name":"ArtContest-blog_0819.jpg","width":"","description":"ArtContest-blog_0819.jpg","title":"ArtContest-blog_0819.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"2404ad83-ae69-43e9-9df4-7788b87ec286","fileEntryId":"795835","resourcePrimKey":"1228535","url":"/documents/20184/791346/ArtContest-blog_0819.jpg/2404ad83-ae69-43e9-9df4-7788b87ec286?t=1566936300608","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="y2q2bXJp" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="eqtj" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Launches Annual Art Contest Honoring The Service of Illinois State Police]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="N3FG2cSs" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="scqk" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Each year the Illinois Tollway gives an opportunity for young artists to show off their creative talents by soliciting artwork for the cover the annual Illinois Tollway system map. The map itself, which is distributed to Oases and customer service centers across the region, features a different theme selected by Tollway leadership with the goal of featuring a different aspect, achievement or aspiration of the agency. </p>
<p>This year, in the wake of the tragic loss of a string of Illinois State Trooper in the line of duty, the annual art contest will honor the service and sacrifice of our Illinois State Police troopers. Young artists are invited to submit original illustrations honoring the service and sacrifice of Illinois State Police troopers for a chance to have their design chosen as the cover art of the official 2020 Illinois Tollway Map.</p>
<p>In 2019, three troopers have been killed in vehicle incidents on Illinois roadways this year, including two who died in crashes on the Illinois Tollway system. Trooper Gerald Ellis was killed in May when he was struck by a wrong-way driver on the Tri-State Tollway (I-94) near Green Oaks in Lake County. Trooper Brooke Jones-Story was killed just days earlier when she was struck by truck after making a traffic stop along U.S. Route 20 near Freeport in northwestern Illinois. Trooper Christopher Lambert died in January when he was struck by a vehicle while assisting with an earlier crash on the Tri-State Tollway (I-294) near Northbrook.</p>
<p>“These troopers demonstrated the courage and dedication that exemplifies the service provided by Illinois State Police to the drivers and members of the public they protect,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “We want to honor these troopers and the vital work still being done by their colleagues with the help of young artists across the state whom we invite to create images that will provide a visual memorial to the service and sacrifice of these remarkable men and women.”<br />
<br />
High school students can participate in the Tollway Map Cover Art Contest by submitting any artwork or design that recognizes the distinguished work done by the Illinois State Police troopers who patrol the Tollways and state highways, protecting and assisting drivers despite the risks they face themselves.</p>
<p>Artwork created by the grand prize winner will be featured on the cover of the Tollway’s 2020 map, which is distributed at no cost to more than 75,000 customers. </p>
<p>The grand prize winner and three runners-up will be featured in the Tollway’s annual report. Awards include: </p>
<ul>
<li>Grand prize winner: $400 gift certificate from Blick Art Materials and $200 in gift certificates from MBRE to use at oases retail shops and restaurants</li>
<li>Runners-up: $200 gift certificate from Blick Art Materials and $100 in gift certificates from MBRE </li>
<li>A certificate of appreciation for all students who participate in the contest</li>
</ul>
<p>An Illinois Tollway committee will initially judge all contest entries to determine the top 10. Those top 10 entries will be featured on the Illinois Tollway’s website and displayed in galleries at each of the five Tollway oases pavilions during the month of November. The public will be invited to view the artwork and cast their votes online to choose the top four entries. </p>
<p>The grand prize winner and three runners-up will be selected by a panel of judges, including members of the Tollway Board of Directors and representatives from MBRE. </p>
<h2>2020 Map Cover Art Contest Important Documents</h2>
<p><a href="/documents/20184/796941/2020+Map+Art+Contest+Rules+and+Entry+Instructions.docx/991301a2-efbd-458e-8c6a-6a1db72b5751" target="_blank">Rules and Entry Instructions</a><br />
<a href="/documents/20184/796941/2020+RELEASE+AND+WAIVER+OF+LIABILITY+for+Map+contest.doc/ae28aea8-49e6-48d0-b69f-b0bb47fff273" target="_blank">Release and Waiver of Liability</a><br />
<a href="/documents/20184/796941/2020+Registration+Form.doc/cf6b54b1-c0b3-49d1-adf9-77bbffe4b76c" target="_blank">Registration Form</a><br />
<a href="/documents/20184/729049/20190903_Illinois_Tollway_Announces_Annual_Student_Art_Contest/7a7fb8ee-7829-4e88-bccb-d6806cce4d60" target="_blank">September 3 News Release</a><br />
<a href="/documents/20184/796941/PSA+script+-+school+media+2020.doc/a8835133-fb24-41b0-88e3-76c6d23a1ab1" target="_blank">PSA Script</a></p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="dlgh" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-09-15]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Launches Annual Art Contest Honoring The Service of Illinois State Police
Display date: 2019-09-15
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="oiqv" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"0","groupId":"20184","name":"38206","alt":"ArtContest-blog_0819.jpg","title":"ArtContest-blog_0819.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"2404ad83-ae69-43e9-9df4-7788b87ec286","fileEntryId":"795835","resourcePrimKey":"1142735"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="FRyENY1H" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="npkn" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Launches Annual Art Contest Honoring The Service of Illinois State Police]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="mEPWbwAL" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="bfkn" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Each year the Illinois Tollway gives an opportunity for young artists to show off their creative talents by soliciting artwork for the cover the annual Illinois Tollway system map. The map itself, which is distributed to Oases and customer service centers across the region, features a different theme selected by Tollway leadership with the goal of featuring a different aspect, achievement or aspiration of the agency. </p>
<p>This year, in the wake of the tragic loss of a string of Illinois State Trooper in the line of duty, the annual art contest will honor the service and sacrifice of our Illinois State Police troopers. Young artists are invited to submit original illustrations honoring the service and sacrifice of Illinois State Police troopers for a chance to have their design chosen as the cover art of the official 2020 Illinois Tollway Map.</p>
<p>In 2019, three troopers have been killed in vehicle incidents on Illinois roadways this year, including two who died in crashes on the Illinois Tollway system. Trooper Gerald Ellis was killed in May when he was struck by a wrong-way driver on the Tri-State Tollway (I-94) near Green Oaks in Lake County. Trooper Brooke Jones-Story was killed just days earlier when she was struck by truck after making a traffic stop along U.S. Route 20 near Freeport in northwestern Illinois. Trooper Christopher Lambert died in January when he was struck by a vehicle while assisting with an earlier crash on the Tri-State Tollway (I-294) near Northbrook.</p>
<p>“These troopers demonstrated the courage and dedication that exemplifies the service provided by Illinois State Police to the drivers and members of the public they protect,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “We want to honor these troopers and the vital work still being done by their colleagues with the help of young artists across the state whom we invite to create images that will provide a visual memorial to the service and sacrifice of these remarkable men and women.”<br />
<br />
High school students can participate in the Tollway Map Cover Art Contest by submitting any artwork or design that recognizes the distinguished work done by the Illinois State Police troopers who patrol the Tollways and state highways, protecting and assisting drivers despite the risks they face themselves.</p>
<p>Artwork created by the grand prize winner will be featured on the cover of the Tollway’s 2020 map, which is distributed at no cost to more than 75,000 customers. </p>
<p>The grand prize winner and three runners-up will be featured in the Tollway’s annual report. Awards include: </p>
<ul>
<li>Grand prize winner: $400 gift certificate from Blick Art Materials and $200 in gift certificates from MBRE to use at oases retail shops and restaurants</li>
<li>Runners-up: $200 gift certificate from Blick Art Materials and $100 in gift certificates from MBRE </li>
<li>A certificate of appreciation for all students who participate in the contest</li>
</ul>
<p>An Illinois Tollway committee will initially judge all contest entries to determine the top 10. Those top 10 entries will be featured on the Illinois Tollway’s website and displayed in galleries at each of the five Tollway oases pavilions during the month of November. The public will be invited to view the artwork and cast their votes online to choose the top four entries. </p>
<p>The grand prize winner and three runners-up will be selected by a panel of judges, including members of the Tollway Board of Directors and representatives from MBRE. </p>
<h2>2020 Map Cover Art Contest Important Documents</h2>
<p><a href="/documents/20184/796941/2020+Map+Art+Contest+Rules+and+Entry+Instructions.docx/991301a2-efbd-458e-8c6a-6a1db72b5751" target="_blank">Rules and Entry Instructions</a><br />
<a href="/documents/20184/796941/2020+RELEASE+AND+WAIVER+OF+LIABILITY+for+Map+contest.doc/ae28aea8-49e6-48d0-b69f-b0bb47fff273" target="_blank">Release and Waiver of Liability</a><br />
<a href="/documents/20184/796941/2020+Registration+Form.doc/cf6b54b1-c0b3-49d1-adf9-77bbffe4b76c" target="_blank">Registration Form</a><br />
<a href="/documents/20184/729049/20190903_Illinois_Tollway_Announces_Annual_Student_Art_Contest/7a7fb8ee-7829-4e88-bccb-d6806cce4d60" target="_blank">September 3 News Release</a><br />
<a href="/documents/20184/796941/PSA+script+-+school+media+2020.doc/a8835133-fb24-41b0-88e3-76c6d23a1ab1" target="_blank">PSA Script</a></p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="fkxv" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-09-15]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Launches Annual Art Contest Honoring The Service of Illinois State Police
Display date: 2019-09-15
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="ngix" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"0","groupId":"20184","name":"38415","alt":"WorkZoneSafety_MemorialWall_BlogHero.png","title":"WorkZoneSafety_MemorialWall_BlogHero.png","type":"journal","uuid":"ada073cc-7991-4439-ba29-e2071fc1ec1c","fileEntryId":"798994","resourcePrimKey":"1228548"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="0Pxu3S0e" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="diqc" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[National Work Zone Memorial Wall at Hinsdale Oasis]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="fvU8d7vj" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="cmjs" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway is asking drivers to help save lives by promising to slow down and move over when they travel through work zones or pass vehicles stopped along the road. </p>
<p><a href="/givethemdistance"><img alt="" src="/documents/20184/798477/GTD_Pledge_YellowBack.png/86b6a4b7-500d-4ae5-b021-8b1d3287ecd0?t=1568388342020" style="height: 155px; width: 260px; float: right;" /></a>To drive home that message, the Tollway is displaying the National Work Zone Memorial at the Hinsdale Oasis on the Tri-State Tollway (I-294) , beginning September 16 and continuing through September 23.</p>
<p>The memorial wall lists the names of nearly 1,500 people who have died in work zone crashes, including Tollway roadway maintenance worker David Schwarz, who was killed on September 18, 2017 by a truck that failed to move over while he was working along I-294.</p>
<p>While the memorial wall is on display, the Tollway is encouraging drivers who stop at Hinsdale Oasis to take the Give Them Distance pledge by promising to slow down and, if possible, changes lanes when approaching any stopped vehicle that has its hazard lights activated.</p>
<p>Illinois’ Move Over Law, also known as Scott’s Law, requires drivers to take those precautions to protect emergency responders, workers and drivers who are stopped along the road.</p>
<p>“We have seen first-hand that the consequences can be deadly when drivers disregard the Move Over Law,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Jose Alvarez. “We are committed to protecting everyone who travels or works on our road and we believe this memorial can help spread the word that drivers need slow down and move over when they encounter workers or stopped vehicles.”</p>
<p>Schwarz was a roadway maintenance worker with 25 years of service at the Tollway when he was struck and killed.</p>
<p>More recently, Illinois State Police Trooper Christopher Lambert died on January 12, 2019 when he was struck by a vehicle that failed to move over while he was assisting at an accident scene on I-294 near Northbrook.</p>
<p>Drivers will be able to take the Give Them Distance pledge from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily between Monday, September 16, and Friday, September 20. Drivers who take the pledge also are encouraged to post their pledge on social media to help spread awareness of the law.</p>
<p>The National Work Zone Memorial is being displayed by the American Traffic Safety Services Association Foundation as a way to remember those who have lost their lives in work zone crashes and to raise awareness about the critical importance of driving safely in work zones.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="xlka" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-09-13]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
National Work Zone Memorial Wall at Hinsdale Oasis
Display date: 2019-09-13
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="jufd" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"0","groupId":"20184","name":"38415","alt":"WorkZoneSafety_MemorialWall_BlogHero.png","title":"WorkZoneSafety_MemorialWall_BlogHero.png","type":"journal","uuid":"ada073cc-7991-4439-ba29-e2071fc1ec1c","fileEntryId":"798994","resourcePrimKey":"1142748"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="2Xl2avSy" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="vcnq" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[National Work Zone Memorial Wall at Hinsdale Oasis]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="xwpu8pYP" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="vcmo" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway is asking drivers to help save lives by promising to slow down and move over when they travel through work zones or pass vehicles stopped along the road. </p>
<p><a href="/givethemdistance"><img alt="" src="/documents/20184/798477/GTD_Pledge_YellowBack.png/86b6a4b7-500d-4ae5-b021-8b1d3287ecd0?t=1568388342020" style="height: 155px; width: 260px; float: right;" /></a>To drive home that message, the Tollway is displaying the National Work Zone Memorial at the Hinsdale Oasis on the Tri-State Tollway (I-294) , beginning September 16 and continuing through September 23.</p>
<p>The memorial wall lists the names of nearly 1,500 people who have died in work zone crashes, including Tollway roadway maintenance worker David Schwarz, who was killed on September 18, 2017 by a truck that failed to move over while he was working along I-294.</p>
<p>While the memorial wall is on display, the Tollway is encouraging drivers who stop at Hinsdale Oasis to take the Give Them Distance pledge by promising to slow down and, if possible, changes lanes when approaching any stopped vehicle that has its hazard lights activated.</p>
<p>Illinois’ Move Over Law, also known as Scott’s Law, requires drivers to take those precautions to protect emergency responders, workers and drivers who are stopped along the road.</p>
<p>“We have seen first-hand that the consequences can be deadly when drivers disregard the Move Over Law,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Jose Alvarez. “We are committed to protecting everyone who travels or works on our road and we believe this memorial can help spread the word that drivers need slow down and move over when they encounter workers or stopped vehicles.”</p>
<p>Schwarz was a roadway maintenance worker with 25 years of service at the Tollway when he was struck and killed.</p>
<p>More recently, Illinois State Police Trooper Christopher Lambert died on January 12, 2019 when he was struck by a vehicle that failed to move over while he was assisting at an accident scene on I-294 near Northbrook.</p>
<p>Drivers will be able to take the Give Them Distance pledge from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily between Monday, September 16, and Friday, September 20. Drivers who take the pledge also are encouraged to post their pledge on social media to help spread awareness of the law.</p>
<p>The National Work Zone Memorial is being displayed by the American Traffic Safety Services Association Foundation as a way to remember those who have lost their lives in work zone crashes and to raise awareness about the critical importance of driving safely in work zones.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="dhmm" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-09-13]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
National Work Zone Memorial Wall at Hinsdale Oasis
Display date: 2019-09-13
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="kczr" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"0","groupId":"20184","name":"38403","alt":"Road Guys-crop1-w logo.png","title":"Road Guys-crop1-w logo.png","type":"journal","uuid":"5b16d270-eef5-4f77-b944-a596f37daf18","fileEntryId":"798482","resourcePrimKey":"1228561"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="Dc3JpEsR" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="hiir" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Recognized for Innovative Workplace Safety Solutions]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="7kEqGx94" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="csot" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway has been selected as the statewide winner of the Build a Better Mousetrap Competition, which highlights innovative solutions to everyday problems and issues that transportation workers encounter.</p>
<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width:400px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uer58sNvPtA?rel=0" width="560"></iframe></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>Administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation, the competition recognizes agency personnel who utilize their expertise and creativity increase safety, reduce cost, improve efficiency and the quality of transportation. An independent team of judges recognized the Illinois Tollway Maintenance and Traffic Operations team for their “Safety Sprayer,” which was built and modified by field personnel to improve pesticide applications and reduce potential exposure.</p>
<p>“This was a collaborative effort as both managers and their staff from across our system added value as the “Safety Sprayer” evolved into our final product,” says Wayde Tabor, Illinois Tollway General Manager of Maintenance and Traffic Operations. “I’m proud of our team for working together and developing an innovative tool that will improve worker safety and efficiency.”</p>
<p>Created from mostly “found” materials, the “Safety Sprayer” is made from 85 percent recycled materials and equipment. It is mounted to the side of a maintenance truck during operations and allows for the driver to have direct control over the application, removing the need for additional personnel during the spraying process. The equipment is easy to replicate and offers maintenance staff the ability to utilize it throughout the Illinois Tollway system.</p>
<p>As the state winner for Illinois, the “Safety Sprayer” will be shared with transportation agencies nationwide by the Federal Highway Administration as a best practice for innovative maintenance solutions that improve workplace safety and efficiency.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="xhbj" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-09-10]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Recognized for Innovative Workplace Safety Solutions
Display date: 2019-09-10
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="lyhr" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"0","groupId":"20184","name":"38403","alt":"Road Guys-crop1-w logo.png","title":"Road Guys-crop1-w logo.png","type":"journal","uuid":"5b16d270-eef5-4f77-b944-a596f37daf18","fileEntryId":"798482","resourcePrimKey":"1142761"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="hBJmklvq" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="bspa" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Recognized for Innovative Workplace Safety Solutions]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="bnpO7yrt" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="pcht" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway has been selected as the statewide winner of the Build a Better Mousetrap Competition, which highlights innovative solutions to everyday problems and issues that transportation workers encounter.</p>
<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width:400px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uer58sNvPtA?rel=0" width="560"></iframe></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>Administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation, the competition recognizes agency personnel who utilize their expertise and creativity increase safety, reduce cost, improve efficiency and the quality of transportation. An independent team of judges recognized the Illinois Tollway Maintenance and Traffic Operations team for their “Safety Sprayer,” which was built and modified by field personnel to improve pesticide applications and reduce potential exposure.</p>
<p>“This was a collaborative effort as both managers and their staff from across our system added value as the “Safety Sprayer” evolved into our final product,” says Wayde Tabor, Illinois Tollway General Manager of Maintenance and Traffic Operations. “I’m proud of our team for working together and developing an innovative tool that will improve worker safety and efficiency.”</p>
<p>Created from mostly “found” materials, the “Safety Sprayer” is made from 85 percent recycled materials and equipment. It is mounted to the side of a maintenance truck during operations and allows for the driver to have direct control over the application, removing the need for additional personnel during the spraying process. The equipment is easy to replicate and offers maintenance staff the ability to utilize it throughout the Illinois Tollway system.</p>
<p>As the state winner for Illinois, the “Safety Sprayer” will be shared with transportation agencies nationwide by the Federal Highway Administration as a best practice for innovative maintenance solutions that improve workplace safety and efficiency.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="veul" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-09-10]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Recognized for Innovative Workplace Safety Solutions
Display date: 2019-09-10
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="aviv" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"0","groupId":"20184","name":"38102","alt":"ScottsLawDMS-blog_0819.jpg","title":"ScottsLawDMS-blog_0819.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"bed0a5d6-69ed-400b-837c-ec33ddeb0bbf","fileEntryId":"793933","resourcePrimKey":"1228574"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="D01EyyB0" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="rlvz" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Scott’s Law Strengthened Under New Legislation Signed by Governor Pritzker]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="tyXNlYR5" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="plcc" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Governor J.B. Pritzker recently signed a package of legislation to expand Scott’s Law in an effort to protect law enforcement, first responders, road workers and the everyday motorist. </p>
<p>Scott’s Law, sometimes known as the “Move Over” Law, requires drivers to slow down and move over safely when approaching any vehicle with hazard lights flashing. First enacted in 2002, the law is named after Lt. Scott Gillen of the Chicago Fire Department who was struck and killed by an intoxicated driver on the Dan Ryan Expressway while assisting at a crash scene.</p>
<p>Several state troopers have lost their lives this year on the state’s roadways; two were killed when drivers violated Scott’s Law. In addition to honoring the memory of Troopers Christopher Lambert, Brooke Jones-Story and Gerald Ellis, Public Act 101-173, increases the minimum fine for a first-time Scott’s Law violation to $250 and to $750 for subsequent violations. All Scott’s Law violations will also result in a $250 assessment fee, which will be deposited into a statewide dedicated fund to produce driver education materials to ensure the next generation of drivers fully understands the importance of this life-saving law. To support these efforts, the Secretary of State will include written questions on Scott’s Law in the driver’s license test. </p>
<p>The new law also increases criminal penalties to a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail, if violation results in damage to another vehicle or a Class 4 felony, punishable by up to one to three years in prison, if violation results in an injury or death of another person. An aggravating factor will also be added to reckless homicide charges if Scott’s Law was violated. </p>
<p>Additionally, the legislative package includes efforts to further research Scott’s Law violations and increase work zone safety:</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/101/PDF/101-0174.pdf" target="_blank">Public Act 101-174</a> creates the Move Over Task Force to study the causes of violations and ways to protect law enforcement, emergency responders and Illinois residents. The Task Force, which includes representatives from the Illinois Tollway, must present its findings and recommendations by January 1, 2020. </li>
<li><a href="http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/101/PDF/101-0172.pdf" target="_blank">Public Act 101-172</a> increases penalties for violations that occur in work zones. Drivers who disobey traffic-control devices within designated highway construction or maintenance zones face a penalty between $100 and $1,000. Penalties for drivers ignoring construction or maintenance zone rules, when workers are present, have increased from $10,000 to $25,000. </li>
</ul>
<p>Working with transportation, safety and government leaders, the Illinois Tollway is spearheading the Give Them Distance campaign to educate drivers and students about the importance of the Move Over Law and steps to take if stalled or stranded on the side of the road. Learn more and take the Give Them Distance pledge for safer roads <a href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/givethemdistance" target="_blank">here</a>. </p>
<p>The Illinois Tollway is committed to continuing its efforts to educate drivers about Scott’s Law, increase enforcement for violators and identifying new opportunities to keep our roadways safe. Visit the <a href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/roadway-safety" target="_blank">Roadway Safety</a> section of our website to find out more about our initiatives. </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="mmbt" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-07-30]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Scott’s Law Strengthened Under New Legislation Signed by Governor Pritzker
Display date: 2019-07-30
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="femr" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"0","groupId":"20184","name":"38102","alt":"ScottsLawDMS-blog_0819.jpg","title":"ScottsLawDMS-blog_0819.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"bed0a5d6-69ed-400b-837c-ec33ddeb0bbf","fileEntryId":"793933","resourcePrimKey":"1142774"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="YzWUnFzk" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="brem" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Scott’s Law Strengthened Under New Legislation Signed by Governor Pritzker]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="w1OUoicP" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="tgeo" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Governor J.B. Pritzker recently signed a package of legislation to expand Scott’s Law in an effort to protect law enforcement, first responders, road workers and the everyday motorist. </p>
<p>Scott’s Law, sometimes known as the “Move Over” Law, requires drivers to slow down and move over safely when approaching any vehicle with hazard lights flashing. First enacted in 2002, the law is named after Lt. Scott Gillen of the Chicago Fire Department who was struck and killed by an intoxicated driver on the Dan Ryan Expressway while assisting at a crash scene.</p>
<p>Several state troopers have lost their lives this year on the state’s roadways; two were killed when drivers violated Scott’s Law. In addition to honoring the memory of Troopers Christopher Lambert, Brooke Jones-Story and Gerald Ellis, Public Act 101-173, increases the minimum fine for a first-time Scott’s Law violation to $250 and to $750 for subsequent violations. All Scott’s Law violations will also result in a $250 assessment fee, which will be deposited into a statewide dedicated fund to produce driver education materials to ensure the next generation of drivers fully understands the importance of this life-saving law. To support these efforts, the Secretary of State will include written questions on Scott’s Law in the driver’s license test. </p>
<p>The new law also increases criminal penalties to a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail, if violation results in damage to another vehicle or a Class 4 felony, punishable by up to one to three years in prison, if violation results in an injury or death of another person. An aggravating factor will also be added to reckless homicide charges if Scott’s Law was violated. </p>
<p>Additionally, the legislative package includes efforts to further research Scott’s Law violations and increase work zone safety:</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/101/PDF/101-0174.pdf" target="_blank">Public Act 101-174</a> creates the Move Over Task Force to study the causes of violations and ways to protect law enforcement, emergency responders and Illinois residents. The Task Force, which includes representatives from the Illinois Tollway, must present its findings and recommendations by January 1, 2020. </li>
<li><a href="http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/101/PDF/101-0172.pdf" target="_blank">Public Act 101-172</a> increases penalties for violations that occur in work zones. Drivers who disobey traffic-control devices within designated highway construction or maintenance zones face a penalty between $100 and $1,000. Penalties for drivers ignoring construction or maintenance zone rules, when workers are present, have increased from $10,000 to $25,000. </li>
</ul>
<p>Working with transportation, safety and government leaders, the Illinois Tollway is spearheading the Give Them Distance campaign to educate drivers and students about the importance of the Move Over Law and steps to take if stalled or stranded on the side of the road. Learn more and take the Give Them Distance pledge for safer roads <a href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/givethemdistance" target="_blank">here</a>. </p>
<p>The Illinois Tollway is committed to continuing its efforts to educate drivers about Scott’s Law, increase enforcement for violators and identifying new opportunities to keep our roadways safe. Visit the <a href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/roadway-safety" target="_blank">Roadway Safety</a> section of our website to find out more about our initiatives. </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="miln" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-07-30]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Scott’s Law Strengthened Under New Legislation Signed by Governor Pritzker
Display date: 2019-07-30
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="qfff" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"HeatPatrol_HELP_BlogHero_1055x366.jpg","name":"HeatPatrol_HELP_BlogHero_1055x366.jpg","width":"","description":"HeatPatrol_HELP_BlogHero_1055x366.jpg","title":"HeatPatrol_HELP_BlogHero_1055x366.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"07e4f76c-1737-49fd-adaf-e8b3186ff857","fileEntryId":"787791","resourcePrimKey":"1228587","url":"/documents/20184/783464/HeatPatrol_HELP_BlogHero_1055x366.jpg/07e4f76c-1737-49fd-adaf-e8b3186ff857?t=1563564921956","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="cQInpGyK" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="mhbk" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway operating extra road patrols to protect customers during extreme heat]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="4SvGh3OW" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="ymlo" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway is operating around-the-clock Hot Weather Patrols to more quickly assist customers stranded along its roads during the dangerously high temperatures and humidity expected to continue into the weekend.</p>
<p>The Tollway typically operates Hot Weather Patrols to provide additional aid to customers whenever temperatures or heat indexes indicate conditions could be hazardous for stranded drivers. </p>
<p>The 24-hour patrols search for drivers stranded in disabled vehicles and respond to calls that come in to *999 motorist assistance, Illinois Tollway dispatch or Illinois State Police District 15.</p>
<p>While the <a href="/travel-information#H.E.L.P.%20on%20the%20Illinois%20Tollway" target="_blank">Illinois Tollway’s Highway Emergency Lane Patrol (H.E.L.P.) trucks</a> sponsored by State Farm run from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday, a minimum of 12 Hot Weather Patrols are providing additional coverage around the clock into the weekend to augment H.E.L.P. trucks and Illinois State Police patrols. </p>
<p>The Hot Weather Patrols consist of crew cab trucks equipped with arrow boards for directing traffic around stranded vehicles and accommodate up to five passengers if motorists need to get out of the heat or be transported to a Tollway maintenance garage or Tollway oasis while service is obtained. </p>
<p>Cars or trucks with empty fuel tanks, flat tires, batteries needing a boost, or overheated radiators are just some of the most frequent problems reported among drivers needing help. </p>
<p>Drivers who need roadway assistance should call *999 and note the roadway and direction of travel and nearest milepost or crossroad.</p>
<p>Stranded motorists should turn on their emergency lights and remain with their vehicles until help arrives. </p>
<p>Customers also may use the <a href="/travel-information/oases" target="_blank">oases located along the Tollway system</a> as cooling centers and also provide drivers an opportunity to check their vehicles or simply take a break. The oases provide a variety of food, beverage and retail offerings, as well as 7-Eleven stores and fuel stations. On the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80), there are three oases: Lake Forest, Hinsdale and Chicago Southland Lincoln in South Holland. There is an oasis on the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88) in DeKalb and on the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) in Belvidere, as well as 7-Eleven stores and fuel stations at the O’Hare Oasis, also on I-294.</p>
<p>To protect themselves and other customers, Tollway workers and emergency responders, the Tollway reminds drivers to:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong><a href="/travel-information/drop-it-and-drive" target="_blank">Drop It and Drive</a>. </strong>Using a hand-held phone while driving is illegal in Illinois.</li>
<li><a href="/givethemdistance" target="_blank"><strong>Give Them Distance.</strong></a> Drivers are required to slow down and move over when approaching any stopped vehicle that has its hazard lights activated.</li>
</ul>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="dekx" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-07-25]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway operating extra road patrols to protect customers during extreme heat
Display date: 2019-07-25
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="mvke" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"0","groupId":"20184","name":"37447","alt":"HeatPatrol_HELP_BlogHero_1055x366.jpg","title":"HeatPatrol_HELP_BlogHero_1055x366.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"07e4f76c-1737-49fd-adaf-e8b3186ff857","fileEntryId":"787791","resourcePrimKey":"1142787"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="ZGX7w0Zm" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="volr" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway operating extra road patrols to protect customers during extreme heat]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="WdKdsJRG" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="cyvd" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway is operating around-the-clock Hot Weather Patrols to more quickly assist customers stranded along its roads during the dangerously high temperatures and humidity expected to continue into the weekend.</p>
<p>The Tollway typically operates Hot Weather Patrols to provide additional aid to customers whenever temperatures or heat indexes indicate conditions could be hazardous for stranded drivers. </p>
<p>The 24-hour patrols search for drivers stranded in disabled vehicles and respond to calls that come in to *999 motorist assistance, Illinois Tollway dispatch or Illinois State Police District 15.</p>
<p>While the <a href="/travel-information#H.E.L.P.%20on%20the%20Illinois%20Tollway" target="_blank">Illinois Tollway’s Highway Emergency Lane Patrol (H.E.L.P.) trucks</a> sponsored by State Farm run from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday, a minimum of 12 Hot Weather Patrols are providing additional coverage around the clock into the weekend to augment H.E.L.P. trucks and Illinois State Police patrols. </p>
<p>The Hot Weather Patrols consist of crew cab trucks equipped with arrow boards for directing traffic around stranded vehicles and accommodate up to five passengers if motorists need to get out of the heat or be transported to a Tollway maintenance garage or Tollway oasis while service is obtained. </p>
<p>Cars or trucks with empty fuel tanks, flat tires, batteries needing a boost, or overheated radiators are just some of the most frequent problems reported among drivers needing help. </p>
<p>Drivers who need roadway assistance should call *999 and note the roadway and direction of travel and nearest milepost or crossroad.</p>
<p>Stranded motorists should turn on their emergency lights and remain with their vehicles until help arrives. </p>
<p>Customers also may use the <a href="/travel-information/oases" target="_blank">oases located along the Tollway system</a> as cooling centers and also provide drivers an opportunity to check their vehicles or simply take a break. The oases provide a variety of food, beverage and retail offerings, as well as 7-Eleven stores and fuel stations. On the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80), there are three oases: Lake Forest, Hinsdale and Chicago Southland Lincoln in South Holland. There is an oasis on the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88) in DeKalb and on the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) in Belvidere, as well as 7-Eleven stores and fuel stations at the O’Hare Oasis, also on I-294.</p>
<p>To protect themselves and other customers, Tollway workers and emergency responders, the Tollway reminds drivers to:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong><a href="/travel-information/drop-it-and-drive" target="_blank">Drop It and Drive</a>. </strong>Using a hand-held phone while driving is illegal in Illinois.</li>
<li><a href="/givethemdistance" target="_blank"><strong>Give Them Distance.</strong></a> Drivers are required to slow down and move over when approaching any stopped vehicle that has its hazard lights activated.</li>
</ul>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="abpp" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-07-25]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway operating extra road patrols to protect customers during extreme heat
Display date: 2019-07-25
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="eoxm" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"SpeedAwarenessDay_BlogHero_1055x366.jpg","name":"SpeedAwarenessDay_BlogHero_1055x366.jpg","width":"","description":"SpeedAwarenessDay_BlogHero_1055x366.jpg","title":"SpeedAwarenessDay_BlogHero_1055x366.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"7af11cca-bdd2-4bba-b483-fe782fd3e687","fileEntryId":"788451","resourcePrimKey":"1228639","url":"/documents/20184/783464/SpeedAwarenessDay_BlogHero_1055x366.jpg/7af11cca-bdd2-4bba-b483-fe782fd3e687?t=1563976756133","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="C1l7MvqS" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="omxu" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Speed Awareness Day. Slow Down. Stay Alive.]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="10XeV620" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="gmdy" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway emphasizes safety—that’s why we’re proud to help call attention to the dangers of speeding by participating in the fourth annual Illinois Speed Awareness Day (ISAD) campaign.</p>
<p>Drivers who speed have less time to react to other vehicles or objects in the roadway, require a greater distance to stop to avoid crashes and are more likely to suffer serious or fatal injuries if they are involved in a crash. Across Illinois, speeding accounted for 42 percent of all traffic fatalities in 2017.</p>
<p>The Tollway is working with Illinois State Police, other law enforcement agencies and safety groups on Speed Awareness Day, Wednesday, July 24, to remind our customers to protect themselves, workers, emergency responders and other drivers by following posted speed limits, particularly in work zones. </p>
<p>“As an agency, we’re continually looking at ways to engage our customers in a conversation on safe driving,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “With construction underway throughout the 294-mile Tollway system, we urge drivers to slow down and pay attention, especially when traveling in work zones.” </p>
<p>Illinois State Police District 15 will conduct additional patrols across the Tollway system on Wednesday to enforce speed limits and other traffic laws.</p>
<p>But police can only do so much. We urge drivers to take responsibility for keeping the roads safe by slowing down and following speed limits.</p>
<p>By driving responsibly, they could save someone’s life.</p>
<p>“We all have choices to make every day and the choices we make behind the wheel affect everyone around us and can have dangerous consequences,” said Mike Donovan of FACES4, a safety advocacy group that focuses on warning drivers about the dangers of speeding. His daughter and grandson died in a 2005 crash when their car was struck by a driver who was speeding.</p>
<p>“The bottom line is, as a society in general we are driving way too fast and doing way too many things while we’re driving. People keep dying.” Donovan said.</p>
<p>ISAD is an Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police (ILACP) and Families Against Chronic Excessive Speed 4 (FACES4) traffic safety initiative. If you would like more information about ISAD, please visit <a href="http://www.illinoisspeedawarenessday.org" target="_blank">www.illinoisspeedawarenessday.org</a>.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="rqzu" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-07-24]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Speed Awareness Day. Slow Down. Stay Alive.
Display date: 2019-07-24
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="mfli" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"0","groupId":"20184","name":"37804","alt":"hero image.png","title":"hero image.png","type":"journal","uuid":"23e564a9-501c-409a-aad1-9489d1d186c3","fileEntryId":"791355","resourcePrimKey":"1228626"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="dMRpQtUu" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="klgj" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[New Interchange Will Provide More Travel Options]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="zjlhJGTg" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="irxt" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Drivers on the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) are getting a front-row view of the construction of a new interchange that will provide more travel options by linking I-90 to the new I-490 Tollway being built along the western edge of O’Hare International Airport.</p>
<p>Crews working above I-90 near Des Plaines are pouring concrete as they build the new bridges that will connect the road to I-490.</p>
<p>Earlier this year, workers installed steel beams across I-90 to support part of the interchange, which will consist of four ramps, including a ramp bridge connecting westbound I-90 to I-490.</p>
<p>The interchange will provide full access between the two Tollways and a new multi-span bridge will be built to carry I-490 over the Touhy Avenue Reservoir south of I-90.</p>
<p>The new I-490 Tollway is being built to carry north-south traffic around the edge of O’Hare Airport and provide western access to the airport.</p>
<p>The new Tollway, coupled with the Illinois Route 390 Tollway completed in 2017, will connect businesses and local communities with one of the nation’s busiest airports, freight transportation hubs, distribution centers and several interstate highways, including I-90 and I-294.</p>
<p>While construction work will be visible to drivers near the interchange, the Tollway reminds customers to keep their eyes on the road and focus on driving safely. Read more about safe driving <a href="/roadway-safety">here</a>.</p>
<p>Read more about the project <a href="/projects/490/90-interchange" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>
<p>See what the interchange looks like now <a href="/projects/490/90-interchange#image" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>
<p>Read a news release <a href="/documents/20184/729049/20190325+-+Construction+Continues+on+Interchange+Connection+for+New+I-490+Tollway+on+the+Jane+Addams+Memorial+Tollway+I-90/1ce1e6dd-9ba9-4edb-81c9-10b191ebe099" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>
<p><img alt="" src="/documents/20184/791346/long+bookned.png/cb57dcd1-d081-404f-98de-7815f8679031?t=1565103435609" /></p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="leee" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-07-24]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
New Interchange Will Provide More Travel Options
Display date: 2019-07-24
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="zazg" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Barrington Road Hero.png","name":"Barrington Road Hero.png.jpg","width":"","description":"Barrington Road Hero.png","title":"Barrington Road Hero.png","type":"journal","uuid":"f5c6bd35-a808-4591-bb26-0397a67637dd","fileEntryId":"792950","resourcePrimKey":"1228613","url":"/documents/20184/791346/Barrington%20Road%20Hero.png.jpg/f5c6bd35-a808-4591-bb26-0397a67637dd?t=1565728669532","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="59Op540J" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="zeoq" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[One Year Later: Barrington Road Park-n-Ride Station]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="D5YJbHRV" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="kxep" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2" style="width:300px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4FxRMC7f530?rel=0" width="560"></iframe></td>
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<p>A year after it opened, the innovative Barrington Road Park-n-Ride station is busier than ever as riders use it to hop on and off Pace express buses for convenient, reliable commutes along the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90).</p>
<p>Roads & Bridges magazine recently highlighted how redesigned Barrington Road Interchange on I-90 helped add new travel options to an existing high-speed road, thanks to cooperative efforts between the Illinois Tollway, Illinois Department of Transportation, Pace suburban bus and the Village of Hoffman Estates.</p>
<p>The project is the first in Illinois to add an in-line transit station to a roadway, providing direct access for Pace buses to I-90, creating faster, more seamless traveling for riders and offering a new model that may be adopted in other locations by transportation organizations. </p>
<p>From the article:</p>
<p><em>The Barrington Road Interchange demonstrates that the Tollway can adapt its system to accommodate other types of transit and provide more travel options for our customers,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director </em><em>José Alvarez. “Everyone benefits from these cooperative efforts, including our customers, the communities we serve, along with other stakeholders and transportation agencies that share our goal of relieving traffic congestion, improving travel connections across the region and encouraging economic development.</em></p>
<p>Transit agencies throughout the country will certainly be interested in a solution that successfully integrates their services into an expressway system,” Roads & Bridges noted in the article. “Others in the transportation and engineering communities are also taking notice, with the project earning several industry awards at both the state and national levels. As multimodal concepts continue to progress, the Barrington Road project is providing a pivotal step forward.</p>
<p>Pace buses now are making 96 round trips daily through the station, shuttling riders to locations stretching from Elgin to Rosemont, including other Park-n-Ride stations located along I-90 at Randall Road and Illinois Route 25.</p>
<p>The article describes the Tollway’s willingness to work closely with other transportation agencies and Hoffman Estates to build a new type of full-access interchange that benefits not only drivers, but enhances Pace bus service by providing bus ramps inside the interchange leading directly to I-90, along with pedestrian underpasses and an overpass that allow commuters to more easily reach the bus station.</p>
<p>To read the whole story, visit Roads & Bridges magazine by clicking <a href="https://www.roadsbridges.com/addition-dedicated-bus-service-i-90-near-chicago-strengthens-suburban-tie" target="_blank">here</a>. And to read more about the Tollway’s efforts to deliver innovative solutions to the region’s transportation network click <a href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/projects" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="fkse" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-07-24]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
One Year Later: Barrington Road Park-n-Ride Station
Display date: 2019-07-24
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="ovyb" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"FamilySafetyFair-blog_0819-TpsyRXEr.jpg","name":"FamilySafetyFair-blog_0819-TpsyRXEr.jpg","width":"","description":"FamilySafetyFair-blog_0819-TpsyRXEr.jpg","title":"FamilySafetyFair-blog_0819-TpsyRXEr.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"4bcf657f-cc1d-41bb-9cce-d4bb700ad57e","fileEntryId":"795797","resourcePrimKey":"1228600","url":"/documents/20184/791346/FamilySafetyFair-blog_0819-TpsyRXEr.jpg/4bcf657f-cc1d-41bb-9cce-d4bb700ad57e?t=1566926378393","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="qay9GVlv" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="ezvp" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Supports National Child Passenger Safety Week]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="FORD4oAV" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="qzsj" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>September 15-21 is National Child Passenger Safety Week, and each year agencies and organizations around the country take this opportunity to help educate and promote kids safety in vehicles. For its part, the Illinois Tollway is constantly looking for ways to promote public safety. That’s why each summer our agency partners with the Illinois State Police District 15 to host and promote a series of KISS, or Kids Identification and Safety Seat Events. </p>
<p>Child seats and booster seats are one of the easiest ways to help keep kids safe, and when properly installed, the seats can reduce fatal injuries in a crash by 71 percent for infants and by 54 percent for toddlers, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Car seats saved the lives of an estimated 328 children in 2016, the NHTSA said. Illinois State Police find that as many as 90 percent of the safety seats they inspect are not properly installed, putting children at greater risk of injury or death if a crash occurs.</p>
<p>“As part of our commitment to safety, it is a priority of ours to continually look for ways to engage customers in a conversation on safety,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “As a father of six, I know first had it’s not always easy to correctly install car seats. These events hopefully help families get it right, and potentially save lives.” </p>
<p>Throughout this summer, the Illinois Tollway and ISP District 15 has hosted 10 events throughout northern Illinois. Throughout these efforts, more than 227 seats and 607 identification cards have been created. </p>
<p>But if you’ve missed our events, there’s still time! </p>
<p>National Child Passenger Safety Month coincides with the Tollway’s 12th annual Family Safety Fair on September 21st in Downers Grove and all share the same goal—assisting parents and caregivers in protecting children when they’re on the road.</p>
<p>Parents and other caregivers can participate by bringing the child safety seats, children and the vehicle in which the seats will be installed to the Family Safety Fair between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. The fair will be at Tollway headquarters, 2700 Ogden Avenue in Downers Grove. </p>
<p>You can also catch us on our final event of the year, at IKEA Schaumburg, 1800 E. McConnor Pkwy, Schaumburg, Illinois on September 29th.</p>
<p>The inspections and installations at any of our events will be done by certified child passenger safety technicians, reassuring parents and caregivers that the child seats are correctly installed to properly protect the youngsters riding in them. The inspections also help parents comply with state law, which requires a person transporting a child under age 8 to properly secure them in the appropriate seat. Drivers also will be able to obtain up-to-date safety seat information and educational information. </p>
<p>For the Illinois Tollway, driver and passenger safety is a year round effort. For more information on all our efforts to promote roadway safety, please visit our website <a href="/roadway-safety">here</a>. Also, if you’d like more information with regard to changes in Illinois’ Move Over Law please click <a href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/media-center/inside-the-tollway?p_p_id=33&p_p_lifecycle=0&p_p_state=normal&p_p_mode=view&p_p_col_id=column-1&p_p_col_pos=1&p_p_col_count=2&_33_urlTitle=scott-s-law-strengthened-under-new-legislation-signed-by-governor-pritzkerentryId793906entryId">here</a>. </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="ffix" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-07-24]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Supports National Child Passenger Safety Week
Display date: 2019-07-24
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="qkoj" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"0","groupId":"20184","name":"37473","alt":"SpeedAwarenessDay_BlogHero_1055x366.jpg","title":"SpeedAwarenessDay_BlogHero_1055x366.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"7af11cca-bdd2-4bba-b483-fe782fd3e687","fileEntryId":"788451","resourcePrimKey":"1142839"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="0dwX7r4x" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="nqqk" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Speed Awareness Day. Slow Down. Stay Alive.]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="Cel1htbY" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="nlzb" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway emphasizes safety—that’s why we’re proud to help call attention to the dangers of speeding by participating in the fourth annual Illinois Speed Awareness Day (ISAD) campaign.</p>
<p>Drivers who speed have less time to react to other vehicles or objects in the roadway, require a greater distance to stop to avoid crashes and are more likely to suffer serious or fatal injuries if they are involved in a crash. Across Illinois, speeding accounted for 42 percent of all traffic fatalities in 2017.</p>
<p>The Tollway is working with Illinois State Police, other law enforcement agencies and safety groups on Speed Awareness Day, Wednesday, July 24, to remind our customers to protect themselves, workers, emergency responders and other drivers by following posted speed limits, particularly in work zones. </p>
<p>“As an agency, we’re continually looking at ways to engage our customers in a conversation on safe driving,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “With construction underway throughout the 294-mile Tollway system, we urge drivers to slow down and pay attention, especially when traveling in work zones.” </p>
<p>Illinois State Police District 15 will conduct additional patrols across the Tollway system on Wednesday to enforce speed limits and other traffic laws.</p>
<p>But police can only do so much. We urge drivers to take responsibility for keeping the roads safe by slowing down and following speed limits.</p>
<p>By driving responsibly, they could save someone’s life.</p>
<p>“We all have choices to make every day and the choices we make behind the wheel affect everyone around us and can have dangerous consequences,” said Mike Donovan of FACES4, a safety advocacy group that focuses on warning drivers about the dangers of speeding. His daughter and grandson died in a 2005 crash when their car was struck by a driver who was speeding.</p>
<p>“The bottom line is, as a society in general we are driving way too fast and doing way too many things while we’re driving. People keep dying.” Donovan said.</p>
<p>ISAD is an Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police (ILACP) and Families Against Chronic Excessive Speed 4 (FACES4) traffic safety initiative. If you would like more information about ISAD, please visit <a href="http://www.illinoisspeedawarenessday.org" target="_blank">www.illinoisspeedawarenessday.org</a>.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="skus" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-07-24]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Speed Awareness Day. Slow Down. Stay Alive.
Display date: 2019-07-24
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="ozlg" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"0","groupId":"20184","name":"37804","alt":"hero image.png","title":"hero image.png","type":"journal","uuid":"23e564a9-501c-409a-aad1-9489d1d186c3","fileEntryId":"791355","resourcePrimKey":"1142826"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="LI7HDoN2" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="ubxz" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[New Interchange Will Provide More Travel Options]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="mXqFF4At" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="cpfa" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Drivers on the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) are getting a front-row view of the construction of a new interchange that will provide more travel options by linking I-90 to the new I-490 Tollway being built along the western edge of O’Hare International Airport.</p>
<p>Crews working above I-90 near Des Plaines are pouring concrete as they build the new bridges that will connect the road to I-490.</p>
<p>Earlier this year, workers installed steel beams across I-90 to support part of the interchange, which will consist of four ramps, including a ramp bridge connecting westbound I-90 to I-490.</p>
<p>The interchange will provide full access between the two Tollways and a new multi-span bridge will be built to carry I-490 over the Touhy Avenue Reservoir south of I-90.</p>
<p>The new I-490 Tollway is being built to carry north-south traffic around the edge of O’Hare Airport and provide western access to the airport.</p>
<p>The new Tollway, coupled with the Illinois Route 390 Tollway completed in 2017, will connect businesses and local communities with one of the nation’s busiest airports, freight transportation hubs, distribution centers and several interstate highways, including I-90 and I-294.</p>
<p>While construction work will be visible to drivers near the interchange, the Tollway reminds customers to keep their eyes on the road and focus on driving safely. Read more about safe driving <a href="/roadway-safety">here</a>.</p>
<p>Read more about the project <a href="/projects/490/90-interchange" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>
<p>See what the interchange looks like now <a href="/projects/490/90-interchange#image" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>
<p>Read a news release <a href="/documents/20184/729049/20190325+-+Construction+Continues+on+Interchange+Connection+for+New+I-490+Tollway+on+the+Jane+Addams+Memorial+Tollway+I-90/1ce1e6dd-9ba9-4edb-81c9-10b191ebe099" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>
<p><img alt="" src="/documents/20184/791346/long+bookned.png/cb57dcd1-d081-404f-98de-7815f8679031?t=1565103435609" /></p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="gnut" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-07-24]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
New Interchange Will Provide More Travel Options
Display date: 2019-07-24
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="elic" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"0","groupId":"20184","name":"37920","alt":"Barrington Road Hero.png","title":"Barrington Road Hero.png","type":"journal","uuid":"f5c6bd35-a808-4591-bb26-0397a67637dd","fileEntryId":"792950","resourcePrimKey":"1142813"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="uA02IvFl" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="esbe" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[One Year Later: Barrington Road Park-n-Ride Station]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="Vx0cdH1O" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="jrar" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2" style="width:300px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4FxRMC7f530?rel=0" width="560"></iframe></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>A year after it opened, the innovative Barrington Road Park-n-Ride station is busier than ever as riders use it to hop on and off Pace express buses for convenient, reliable commutes along the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90).</p>
<p>Roads & Bridges magazine recently highlighted how redesigned Barrington Road Interchange on I-90 helped add new travel options to an existing high-speed road, thanks to cooperative efforts between the Illinois Tollway, Illinois Department of Transportation, Pace suburban bus and the Village of Hoffman Estates.</p>
<p>The project is the first in Illinois to add an in-line transit station to a roadway, providing direct access for Pace buses to I-90, creating faster, more seamless traveling for riders and offering a new model that may be adopted in other locations by transportation organizations. </p>
<p>From the article:</p>
<p><em>The Barrington Road Interchange demonstrates that the Tollway can adapt its system to accommodate other types of transit and provide more travel options for our customers,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director </em><em>José Alvarez. “Everyone benefits from these cooperative efforts, including our customers, the communities we serve, along with other stakeholders and transportation agencies that share our goal of relieving traffic congestion, improving travel connections across the region and encouraging economic development.</em></p>
<p>Transit agencies throughout the country will certainly be interested in a solution that successfully integrates their services into an expressway system,” Roads & Bridges noted in the article. “Others in the transportation and engineering communities are also taking notice, with the project earning several industry awards at both the state and national levels. As multimodal concepts continue to progress, the Barrington Road project is providing a pivotal step forward.</p>
<p>Pace buses now are making 96 round trips daily through the station, shuttling riders to locations stretching from Elgin to Rosemont, including other Park-n-Ride stations located along I-90 at Randall Road and Illinois Route 25.</p>
<p>The article describes the Tollway’s willingness to work closely with other transportation agencies and Hoffman Estates to build a new type of full-access interchange that benefits not only drivers, but enhances Pace bus service by providing bus ramps inside the interchange leading directly to I-90, along with pedestrian underpasses and an overpass that allow commuters to more easily reach the bus station.</p>
<p>To read the whole story, visit Roads & Bridges magazine by clicking <a href="https://www.roadsbridges.com/addition-dedicated-bus-service-i-90-near-chicago-strengthens-suburban-tie" target="_blank">here</a>. And to read more about the Tollway’s efforts to deliver innovative solutions to the region’s transportation network click <a href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/projects" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="kyph" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-07-24]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
One Year Later: Barrington Road Park-n-Ride Station
Display date: 2019-07-24
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="jccu" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"0","groupId":"20184","name":"38205","alt":"FamilySafetyFair-blog_0819-TpsyRXEr.jpg","title":"FamilySafetyFair-blog_0819-TpsyRXEr.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"4bcf657f-cc1d-41bb-9cce-d4bb700ad57e","fileEntryId":"795797","resourcePrimKey":"1142800"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="zk4KfC58" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="lsyj" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Supports National Child Passenger Safety Week]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="c7zsdmV3" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="unnx" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>September 15-21 is National Child Passenger Safety Week, and each year agencies and organizations around the country take this opportunity to help educate and promote kids safety in vehicles. For its part, the Illinois Tollway is constantly looking for ways to promote public safety. That’s why each summer our agency partners with the Illinois State Police District 15 to host and promote a series of KISS, or Kids Identification and Safety Seat Events. </p>
<p>Child seats and booster seats are one of the easiest ways to help keep kids safe, and when properly installed, the seats can reduce fatal injuries in a crash by 71 percent for infants and by 54 percent for toddlers, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Car seats saved the lives of an estimated 328 children in 2016, the NHTSA said. Illinois State Police find that as many as 90 percent of the safety seats they inspect are not properly installed, putting children at greater risk of injury or death if a crash occurs.</p>
<p>“As part of our commitment to safety, it is a priority of ours to continually look for ways to engage customers in a conversation on safety,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “As a father of six, I know first had it’s not always easy to correctly install car seats. These events hopefully help families get it right, and potentially save lives.” </p>
<p>Throughout this summer, the Illinois Tollway and ISP District 15 has hosted 10 events throughout northern Illinois. Throughout these efforts, more than 227 seats and 607 identification cards have been created. </p>
<p>But if you’ve missed our events, there’s still time! </p>
<p>National Child Passenger Safety Month coincides with the Tollway’s 12th annual Family Safety Fair on September 21st in Downers Grove and all share the same goal—assisting parents and caregivers in protecting children when they’re on the road.</p>
<p>Parents and other caregivers can participate by bringing the child safety seats, children and the vehicle in which the seats will be installed to the Family Safety Fair between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. The fair will be at Tollway headquarters, 2700 Ogden Avenue in Downers Grove. </p>
<p>You can also catch us on our final event of the year, at IKEA Schaumburg, 1800 E. McConnor Pkwy, Schaumburg, Illinois on September 29th.</p>
<p>The inspections and installations at any of our events will be done by certified child passenger safety technicians, reassuring parents and caregivers that the child seats are correctly installed to properly protect the youngsters riding in them. The inspections also help parents comply with state law, which requires a person transporting a child under age 8 to properly secure them in the appropriate seat. Drivers also will be able to obtain up-to-date safety seat information and educational information. </p>
<p>For the Illinois Tollway, driver and passenger safety is a year round effort. For more information on all our efforts to promote roadway safety, please visit our website <a href="/roadway-safety">here</a>. Also, if you’d like more information with regard to changes in Illinois’ Move Over Law please click <a href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/media-center/inside-the-tollway?p_p_id=33&p_p_lifecycle=0&p_p_state=normal&p_p_mode=view&p_p_col_id=column-1&p_p_col_pos=1&p_p_col_count=2&_33_urlTitle=scott-s-law-strengthened-under-new-legislation-signed-by-governor-pritzkerentryId793906entryId">here</a>. </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="ycdu" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-07-24]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Supports National Child Passenger Safety Week
Display date: 2019-07-24
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<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="hzoh" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"0","groupId":"20184","name":"37440","alt":"CAPollinatorGarden_BlogHero_1055x366-01.jpg","title":"CAPollinatorGarden_BlogHero_1055x366-01.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"28f5256e-ecda-486f-a660-c01e7c55e142","fileEntryId":"787604","resourcePrimKey":"1228652"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="FY2o31gc" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="deqx" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway adding native plants and flowers along its roads to support threatened butterflies and bees]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="8Nz5nR4W" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="tdbv" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway not only builds and maintains roads — it also enhances the ecosystem around its roads by adding native plants that help support threatened butterflies, bees and other pollinators.</p>
<p>The colorful results of that work can be seen springing up all along the 294-mile Tollway system.</p>
<p>Earlier this year, 13,000 native plants were added to the low-lying basins and swales along the Illinois Route 390 Tollway in DuPage County.</p>
<p>An even larger planting project occurred along the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), where 33,000 native plants have been installed in swales along the roadway since last fall.</p>
<p>A diverse mix of pollinator seeds was planted along 15 miles of the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88) that will produce a blend of brightly-colored prairie plants, including the Sky Blue Aster and yellow Prairie Coreopsis. </p>
<p>Another four acres along the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355) were seeded with pollinator plants, as well as and flowering trees and shrubs.</p>
<p>Closer to home, the Tollway has created a demonstration pollinator garden at its Downers Grove headquarters that contains 3,000 perennial plants, including an unusual yellow-colored butterflyweed which is in the Milkweed family and typically produces orange flowers. All these plants provide shelter and food for the monarch butterflies. This summer, we’ve already a monarch caterpillar, who has found a temporary home among the milkweed.</p>
<p>Want to see the results for yourself? <a href="https://www.instagram.com/iltollway/" target="_blank">Check the Tollway’s Instagram account</a>, where we will be posting photos of some of the other prairie plants we’ve added to make our system greener.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="hcqy" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-07-19]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway adding native plants and flowers along its roads to support threatened butterflies and bees
Display date: 2019-07-19
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="npdf" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"0","groupId":"20184","name":"37440","alt":"CAPollinatorGarden_BlogHero_1055x366-01.jpg","title":"CAPollinatorGarden_BlogHero_1055x366-01.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"28f5256e-ecda-486f-a660-c01e7c55e142","fileEntryId":"787604","resourcePrimKey":"1142852"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="icwYs5v1" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="htoi" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway adding native plants and flowers along its roads to support threatened butterflies and bees]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="BseGILtW" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="nhcz" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway not only builds and maintains roads — it also enhances the ecosystem around its roads by adding native plants that help support threatened butterflies, bees and other pollinators.</p>
<p>The colorful results of that work can be seen springing up all along the 294-mile Tollway system.</p>
<p>Earlier this year, 13,000 native plants were added to the low-lying basins and swales along the Illinois Route 390 Tollway in DuPage County.</p>
<p>An even larger planting project occurred along the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), where 33,000 native plants have been installed in swales along the roadway since last fall.</p>
<p>A diverse mix of pollinator seeds was planted along 15 miles of the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88) that will produce a blend of brightly-colored prairie plants, including the Sky Blue Aster and yellow Prairie Coreopsis. </p>
<p>Another four acres along the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355) were seeded with pollinator plants, as well as and flowering trees and shrubs.</p>
<p>Closer to home, the Tollway has created a demonstration pollinator garden at its Downers Grove headquarters that contains 3,000 perennial plants, including an unusual yellow-colored butterflyweed which is in the Milkweed family and typically produces orange flowers. All these plants provide shelter and food for the monarch butterflies. This summer, we’ve already a monarch caterpillar, who has found a temporary home among the milkweed.</p>
<p>Want to see the results for yourself? <a href="https://www.instagram.com/iltollway/" target="_blank">Check the Tollway’s Instagram account</a>, where we will be posting photos of some of the other prairie plants we’ve added to make our system greener.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="jpcj" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-07-19]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway adding native plants and flowers along its roads to support threatened butterflies and bees
Display date: 2019-07-19
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="grpm" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Dispatch4212_1055x365_0719.jpg","name":"Dispatch4212_1055x365_0719.jpg","width":"","description":"Dispatch4212_1055x365_0719.jpg","title":"Dispatch4212_1055x365_0719.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"11762591-1e73-4ecb-9ed2-a6917bd17298","fileEntryId":"787012","resourcePrimKey":"1228665","url":"/documents/20184/783464/Dispatch4212_1055x365_0719.jpg/11762591-1e73-4ecb-9ed2-a6917bd17298?t=1563379253689","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="PPdkeuk3" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="djag" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Tollway Dispatch Center training program recognized for excellence]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="uac8Yrm8" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="kzuv" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway has been recognized as having one of the best training programs in the country for the telecommunications dispatchers who handle calls for roadside assistance and emergency situations on the 294-mile Tollway system.</p>
<p>The Tollway has become only the 6th public safety agency in Illinois — and the first operating an Illinois State Police district dispatch center--to have its training program certified by the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials (APCO). </p>
<p>Nationally, fewer than 1 percent of the nearly 9,000 public safety answering points have achieved this honor.</p>
<p>Tollway Dispatch acts as the 911 center for all roadway emergencies on the system. Last year the center processed about 192,000 incidents — mostly from drivers reporting crashes, state troopers conducting law enforcement activities and customers seeking roadside assistance. </p>
<p>Public safety agencies like the Tollway use the certification process as a mechanism to ensure their training programs meet APCO’s American National Standards.</p>
<p>Comprehensive training for public safety telecommunicators is vital because they provide essential services to the public — often in emergency circumstances.</p>
<p>The training also is another way of ensuring customers rapidly receive the assistance they are seeking when they contact the Tollway.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="iuhm" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-07-17]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Tollway Dispatch Center training program recognized for excellence
Display date: 2019-07-17
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="vdfu" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"0","groupId":"20184","name":"37416","alt":"Dispatch4212_1055x365_0719.jpg","title":"Dispatch4212_1055x365_0719.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"11762591-1e73-4ecb-9ed2-a6917bd17298","fileEntryId":"787012","resourcePrimKey":"1142865"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="qyCm6XGb" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="tsnj" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Tollway Dispatch Center training program recognized for excellence]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="wGnwpWLL" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="anxy" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway has been recognized as having one of the best training programs in the country for the telecommunications dispatchers who handle calls for roadside assistance and emergency situations on the 294-mile Tollway system.</p>
<p>The Tollway has become only the 6th public safety agency in Illinois — and the first operating an Illinois State Police district dispatch center--to have its training program certified by the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials (APCO). </p>
<p>Nationally, fewer than 1 percent of the nearly 9,000 public safety answering points have achieved this honor.</p>
<p>Tollway Dispatch acts as the 911 center for all roadway emergencies on the system. Last year the center processed about 192,000 incidents — mostly from drivers reporting crashes, state troopers conducting law enforcement activities and customers seeking roadside assistance. </p>
<p>Public safety agencies like the Tollway use the certification process as a mechanism to ensure their training programs meet APCO’s American National Standards.</p>
<p>Comprehensive training for public safety telecommunicators is vital because they provide essential services to the public — often in emergency circumstances.</p>
<p>The training also is another way of ensuring customers rapidly receive the assistance they are seeking when they contact the Tollway.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="uana" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-07-17]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Tollway Dispatch Center training program recognized for excellence
Display date: 2019-07-17
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="gjyx" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"0","groupId":"20184","name":"37317","alt":"2012 Annual Report v2 008-sm-2.jpg","title":"2012 Annual Report v2 008-sm-2.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"405aeead-9344-4961-9059-6d38a6ea83ed","fileEntryId":"784030","resourcePrimKey":"1228678"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="gVZlIn1C" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="sjzy" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Spotlights Innovative Work Zone Safety Barrier]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="2LgCr8px" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="jhsy" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p><strong>Improving safety and efficiency for workers and Tollway customers</strong></p>
<p>Creating a safe roadway environment for our workers, drivers and passengers is part of the Illinois Tollway’s core mission. We’re always looking for ways to implement the newest safety technology, and we welcome the opportunity to share our success and lessons learned with partners.</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">ITRCC visited Illinois Tollway to take a look at the Mobile Barriers MBT1, an advanced work zone barrier that utilizes positive protection to keep workers safe. Thanks Illinois Tollway for this amazing opportunity to continue promoting Work Zone safety and awareness! <a href="https://t.co/3fCc4YHm4G">pic.twitter.com/3fCc4YHm4G</a></p>
— Indiana Toll Road (@IndianaTollRoad) <a href="https://twitter.com/IndianaTollRoad/status/1141807555515170823?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 20, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>The <a href="https://www.mobilebarriers.com/index.html" target="_blank">Mobile Barriers MBT1</a> serves as one of the tools in the Tollway’s toolbox we use in work zones to maintain a steady flow of traffic, while making sure roadway workers are safe. The barrier creates protection along the side of a work zone, with less disruption compared with other traffic control measures like traditional temporary concrete barrier walls.</p>
<p>These mobile barriers mean our crews have the space they need to complete their work safely while allowing our roads to reopen to normal traffic flow for our customers as quickly as possible.</p>
<p>The Tollway recently welcomed our counterparts from the <a href="https://www.indianatollroad.org/" target="_blank">Indiana Toll Road</a> to demonstrate the work zone barrier. We look forward to more collaboration with transportation agencies as we work to promote work zone safety and awareness.</p>
<p>More about the Illinois Tollway’s Mobile Barrier Units</p>
<p>The Illinois Tollway’s two mobile barrier units provide flexible protection and can be deployed alongside a work zone, or in a rapid response scenario to adapt to changing conditions. Each unit comes fully equipped with features to ensure comprehensive on-site logistics, including power, lights, rear-facing barriers, also known as Truck Mounted Attenuators, modular capabilities, and signage to direct the flow of traffic. The units are designed to provide 42-102 feet of work zone protection with minimal vehicle deflection and have been crash tested under industry standards (NCHRP 350 and TL-2/TL-3).</p>
<p><a href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/projects/work-zone-safety" target="_blank">More information about Work Zone Safety</a></p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="gdkc" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-07-09]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Spotlights Innovative Work Zone Safety Barrier
Display date: 2019-07-09
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="ugnu" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"0","groupId":"20184","name":"37317","alt":"2012 Annual Report v2 008-sm-2.jpg","title":"2012 Annual Report v2 008-sm-2.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"405aeead-9344-4961-9059-6d38a6ea83ed","fileEntryId":"784030","resourcePrimKey":"1142878"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="dlLmR0j2" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="frxb" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Spotlights Innovative Work Zone Safety Barrier]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="HEw5lctR" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="xvir" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p><strong>Improving safety and efficiency for workers and Tollway customers</strong></p>
<p>Creating a safe roadway environment for our workers, drivers and passengers is part of the Illinois Tollway’s core mission. We’re always looking for ways to implement the newest safety technology, and we welcome the opportunity to share our success and lessons learned with partners.</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">ITRCC visited Illinois Tollway to take a look at the Mobile Barriers MBT1, an advanced work zone barrier that utilizes positive protection to keep workers safe. Thanks Illinois Tollway for this amazing opportunity to continue promoting Work Zone safety and awareness! <a href="https://t.co/3fCc4YHm4G">pic.twitter.com/3fCc4YHm4G</a></p>
— Indiana Toll Road (@IndianaTollRoad) <a href="https://twitter.com/IndianaTollRoad/status/1141807555515170823?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 20, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>The <a href="https://www.mobilebarriers.com/index.html" target="_blank">Mobile Barriers MBT1</a> serves as one of the tools in the Tollway’s toolbox we use in work zones to maintain a steady flow of traffic, while making sure roadway workers are safe. The barrier creates protection along the side of a work zone, with less disruption compared with other traffic control measures like traditional temporary concrete barrier walls.</p>
<p>These mobile barriers mean our crews have the space they need to complete their work safely while allowing our roads to reopen to normal traffic flow for our customers as quickly as possible.</p>
<p>The Tollway recently welcomed our counterparts from the <a href="https://www.indianatollroad.org/" target="_blank">Indiana Toll Road</a> to demonstrate the work zone barrier. We look forward to more collaboration with transportation agencies as we work to promote work zone safety and awareness.</p>
<p>More about the Illinois Tollway’s Mobile Barrier Units</p>
<p>The Illinois Tollway’s two mobile barrier units provide flexible protection and can be deployed alongside a work zone, or in a rapid response scenario to adapt to changing conditions. Each unit comes fully equipped with features to ensure comprehensive on-site logistics, including power, lights, rear-facing barriers, also known as Truck Mounted Attenuators, modular capabilities, and signage to direct the flow of traffic. The units are designed to provide 42-102 feet of work zone protection with minimal vehicle deflection and have been crash tested under industry standards (NCHRP 350 and TL-2/TL-3).</p>
<p><a href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/projects/work-zone-safety" target="_blank">More information about Work Zone Safety</a></p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="txqr" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-07-09]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Spotlights Innovative Work Zone Safety Barrier
Display date: 2019-07-09
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="jaob" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"DropItAndDrive_BlogHero-01.png","name":"DropItAndDrive_BlogHero-01.png","width":"","description":"DropItAndDrive_BlogHero-01.png","title":"DropItAndDrive_BlogHero-01.png","type":"journal","uuid":"69906caf-c1d0-4acd-a3d5-8780958f0775","fileEntryId":"782752","resourcePrimKey":"1228691","url":"/documents/20184/782748/DropItAndDrive_BlogHero-01.png/69906caf-c1d0-4acd-a3d5-8780958f0775?t=1561666631038","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="dC31zjgb" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="ipnk" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Changing a Distracted Driving Culture]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="0cAyW648" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="qaur" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>For years, the Illinois Tollway has fought against the increase in distracted driving across our system. In 2009, the Illinois Legislature first took on the issue of distracted driving by advancing a state law banning texting while driving. In response to this new law, the Tollway joined forces with elected officials and the transportation industry by launching the Drop It and Drive campaign to raise awareness of the dangers and penalties for holding a phone while driving.</p>
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<p>This year, Illinois is taking these efforts a step further, tightening restrictions and increasing penalties for the use of handheld cell phones and electronic devices by drivers in a moving vehicle.</p>
<p>Now, using any mobile device that is not hands-free while driving is a moving violation with stiffer penalties, including suspending the drivers licenses of repeat offenders. This includes holding a mobile device at a stop sign, at a red light or while sitting in traffic. And Gov. Pritzker is considering legislation to increase fines, in some cases, for first-time violators to $1,000 to further discourage distracted driving.</p>
<p>The Illinois Tollway encourages its customers to turn off their phones whenever they get behind the wheel—which we believe is the best way to avoid distracted driving and instead focus on driving safely. </p>
<p>At an Illinois traffic safety forum in 2018, Tollway maintenance staff, engineers and roadway workers were on hand for a presentation by Jennifer Smith, CEO of <a href="http://stopdistractions.org/" target="_blank">StopDistractions.org</a>. In her powerful presentation, Ms. Smith told the story of losing her mother to a distracted driver who was using a cell phone. Since then she has made researching and educating the public on the dangers of distractions her purpose.</p>
<p>We’d ask you take a moment to watch this video and learn what you see and don’t see when driving distracted. Become educated on how cell phones and apps are designed to be addictive and what it is doing to our brain. The <a href="http://stopdistractions.org/" target="_blank">StopDistractions.org</a> has made this available to increase awareness and public education on this critically-important topic. Let’s save the lives of the ones you love and end this epidemic of distracted driving.</p>
<p>For more information on the Tollway’s efforts to educate the public on roadway safety <a href="/roadway-safety" target="_blank">click here</a>. For more information on Ms. Smith’s efforts to stop distracted driving visit <a href="http://stopdistractions.org/" target="_blank">StopDistractions.org</a>.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="izzd" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-06-27]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Changing a Distracted Driving Culture
Display date: 2019-06-27
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="dcle" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"0","groupId":"20184","name":"37261","alt":"DropItAndDrive_BlogHero-01.png","title":"DropItAndDrive_BlogHero-01.png","type":"journal","uuid":"69906caf-c1d0-4acd-a3d5-8780958f0775","fileEntryId":"782752","resourcePrimKey":"1142891"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="ZCTgseua" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="keap" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Changing a Distracted Driving Culture]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="rLDzT5BF" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="rkgc" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>For years, the Illinois Tollway has fought against the increase in distracted driving across our system. In 2009, the Illinois Legislature first took on the issue of distracted driving by advancing a state law banning texting while driving. In response to this new law, the Tollway joined forces with elected officials and the transportation industry by launching the Drop It and Drive campaign to raise awareness of the dangers and penalties for holding a phone while driving.</p>
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<td><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pl7OoX8Fr64?rel=0" width="560"></iframe></td>
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<p>This year, Illinois is taking these efforts a step further, tightening restrictions and increasing penalties for the use of handheld cell phones and electronic devices by drivers in a moving vehicle.</p>
<p>Now, using any mobile device that is not hands-free while driving is a moving violation with stiffer penalties, including suspending the drivers licenses of repeat offenders. This includes holding a mobile device at a stop sign, at a red light or while sitting in traffic. And Gov. Pritzker is considering legislation to increase fines, in some cases, for first-time violators to $1,000 to further discourage distracted driving.</p>
<p>The Illinois Tollway encourages its customers to turn off their phones whenever they get behind the wheel—which we believe is the best way to avoid distracted driving and instead focus on driving safely. </p>
<p>At an Illinois traffic safety forum in 2018, Tollway maintenance staff, engineers and roadway workers were on hand for a presentation by Jennifer Smith, CEO of <a href="http://stopdistractions.org/" target="_blank">StopDistractions.org</a>. In her powerful presentation, Ms. Smith told the story of losing her mother to a distracted driver who was using a cell phone. Since then she has made researching and educating the public on the dangers of distractions her purpose.</p>
<p>We’d ask you take a moment to watch this video and learn what you see and don’t see when driving distracted. Become educated on how cell phones and apps are designed to be addictive and what it is doing to our brain. The <a href="http://stopdistractions.org/" target="_blank">StopDistractions.org</a> has made this available to increase awareness and public education on this critically-important topic. Let’s save the lives of the ones you love and end this epidemic of distracted driving.</p>
<p>For more information on the Tollway’s efforts to educate the public on roadway safety <a href="/roadway-safety" target="_blank">click here</a>. For more information on Ms. Smith’s efforts to stop distracted driving visit <a href="http://stopdistractions.org/" target="_blank">StopDistractions.org</a>.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="moxe" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-06-27]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Changing a Distracted Driving Culture
Display date: 2019-06-27
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
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<td><img alt="" src="/documents/20184/783464/DSC_3871-2.jpg/f53ccd8a-0c2b-4082-928a-6dbde19a9cc5?t=1562093027306" style="width:300px;" /></td>
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<td><img alt="" src="/documents/20184/783464/DSC_3877.jpg/3d8b3e5e-2234-4274-bfba-66eb7ae3c3a8?t=1562093027448" style="width:300px;" /></td>
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<td><img alt="" src="/documents/20184/783464/DSC_3854.jpg/917eb176-02b4-4b5b-9b1d-7997a75c8e6a?t=1562093027150" style="width:300px;" /></td>
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<p><strong>Tollway’s ConstructionWorks making career opportunities available to diverse men and women</strong></p>
<p>Construction jobs are in high demand. A recent Illinois Tollway open house at the Illinois Department of Employment Security office in Harvey attracted more than 100 men and women to learn about opportunities for rewarding careers in Illinois’ transportation-related construction industry.</p>
<p>The public open house invited customers, residents and businesses to learn about construction and workforce opportunities as part of the Tollway’s ongoing work on the $719 million Tri-State Tollway (I-294)/I-57 Interchange Project. This included information about jobs with the agency and the Illinois Tollway’s various diversity and inclusion initiatives with an emphasis on ConstructionWorks.</p>
<p>ConstructionWorks is a new workforce development program creating a pipeline of diverse men and women ready to enter heavy highway and related construction industry careers like equipment operators, carpenters, electricians and cement masons.</p>
<p>For communities across the region like Harvey, programs like ConstructionWorks can mean economic growth for people of all backgrounds.</p>
<p><strong>Tollway Creating Career Ladder to Rewarding Opportunities throughout Region.</strong></p>
<p>Amid a growing construction industry and with billions in Chicagoland infrastructure improvements on the horizon, the Illinois Tollway is stepping up to create a career ladder through ConstructionWorks.</p>
<p>ConstructionWorks connects participants to a network of experienced career and pre-apprenticeship training partners throughout Northern Illinois that offer customized construction industry preparation. Once trained and placed in a pre-apprenticeship program, participants can expect starting pay at around $20 an hour for many of the jobs, with the potential to earn upwards of $45 an hour with experience.</p>
<p><strong>ConstructionWorks Delivering Access to Unprecedented Job Training and Support Services</strong></p>
<p>ConstructionWorks job candidates are ready to work and have received an unprecedented level of access to comprehensive job training, support, placement and retention services. A variety of factors can make it difficult for individuals to get hired and retain employment in the construction industry, but ConstructionWorks helps connect participants with support services designed to overcome any challenges. These services are designed to break down potential barriers to employment and include transportation, childcare, drug counseling, financial coaching and work apparel and tools. Access to those services continues even after an individual is hired.</p>
<p><strong>Opportunities Available to Get Started on a Career in Construction Today</strong></p>
<p>With several upcoming ConstructionWorks events, job fairs and informational sessions across the region in the coming weeks, there’s never been a better time to get started. Those interested in participating are encouraged to visit any one of the following events or simply text “ConstructionWorks” to 77453 to become connected with their nearest ConstructionWorks location.</p>
<p><strong>Introduction to Construction Trades Workshop</strong><br />
Friday, July 5, 2019<br />
10:00 a.m.<br />
West Suburban Cook County American Job Center<br />
1701 S. 1st Ave. Suite 10<br />
Maywood, Ill.</p>
<p>Learn about opportunities in the building and construction trades.¿This presentation will provide an overview of the outlook, wages, working conditions and requirements for construction trade jobs. We will also discuss apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs available in the Chicagoland area and services to support you along the way in these exciting and in-demand careers.¿¿</p>
<p><strong>Introduction to Construction Trades Workshop</strong><br />
Wednesday, July 10, 2019<br />
9:00 a.m.<br />
Mid-South American Job Center<br />
4314 S. Cottage Grove Ave. 2nd Floor<br />
Chicago</p>
<p>Learn about opportunities in the building and construction trades.¿This presentation will provide an overview of the outlook, wages, working conditions and requirements for construction trade jobs. We will also discuss apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs available in the Chicagoland area and services to support you along the way in these exciting and in-demand careers.¿¿</p>
<p><strong>Introduction to Construction Trades Workshop</strong><br />
Thursday, July 11, 2019<br />
9:00 a.m.<br />
Southwest American Job Center at Daley College<br />
7500 S. Pulaski Road, Building 100<br />
Chicago</p>
<p>Learn about opportunities in the building and construction trades.¿This presentation will provide an overview of the outlook, wages, working conditions and requirements for construction trade jobs. We will also discuss apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs available in the Chicagoland area and services to support you along the way in these exciting and in-demand careers.¿¿</p>
<p><strong>Pre-Apprentice Open House</strong><br />
Thursday, July 11, 2019<br />
1:00 p.m.<br />
Southwest American Job Center at Daley College<br />
7500 S. Pulaski Road, Building 100<br />
Chicago</p>
<p>We will give each provider an opportunity to do a 10- to 15-minute presentation to a group and then allow time after the presentations to meet one-on-one with interested participants.</p>
<p><strong>Careers in Construction Trades</strong><br />
Wednesday, July 17, 2019<br />
2:00 p.m.<br />
North Suburban Cook County American Job Center<br />
723 W Algonquin Road Ste A<br />
Arlington Heights, Ill.</p>
<p>Participants can learn about career pathways in construction, as well as training and apprenticeship resources.</p>
<p><strong>Introduction to Construction Trades Workshop</strong><br />
Friday, July 26, 2019<br />
9:00 a.m.<br />
South Suburban Cook County American Job Center<br />
Harvey IDES Office<br />
16845 S. Halsted St.<br />
Harvey, Ill.</p>
<p>Learn about opportunities in the building and construction trades.¿This presentation will provide an overview of the outlook, wages, working conditions and requirements for construction trade jobs. We will also discuss apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs available in the Chicagoland area and services to support you along the way in these exciting and in-demand careers.¿¿</p>
<p><strong>ConstructionWorks Testing</strong><br />
Friday, July 26, 2019<br />
10:00 a.m.<br />
South Suburban Cook County American Job Center<br />
Harvey IDES Office<br />
16845 S. Halsted St.<br />
Harvey, Ill.</p>
<p><strong>Pre-Test Assessment</strong></p>
<p><strong>ConstructionWorks Pre-Test Workshop</strong><br />
Friday, July 26, 2019 & Saturday, July 27, 2019<br />
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.<br />
Mid-South American Job Center<br />
4314 S. Cottage Grove Ave. 2nd Floor<br />
Chicago</p>
<p>This two-day training will focus on providing course participants with a fundamental working knowledge of common principles and concepts required to pass most construction trades entrance exams. Participants will gain exposure to the basic principles of mechanics, spatial reasoning, mathematics and reading comprehension and will be provided with an opportunity to gain hands-on practice with each of these topics. Participants who complete this training and master the knowledge will be prepared to take the first step in an exciting career in construction and skilled trades!</p>
<p><strong>Intro to Construction Trades Workshop</strong><br />
Friday, August 2, 2019<br />
10:00 a.m.<br />
West Suburban Cook County American Job Center<br />
1701 S. 1st Avenue Suite 10<br />
Maywood, Ill.</p>
<p>Learn about opportunities in the building and construction trades.¿This presentation will provide an overview of the outlook, wages, working conditions and requirements for construction trade jobs. We will also discuss apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs available in the Chicagoland area and services to support you along the way in these exciting and in-demand careers.</p>
<p><strong>Intro to Construction Trades Workshop</strong><br />
Wednesday, August 7, 2019<br />
9:00 a.m.<br />
Mid-South American Job Center<br />
4314 S. Cottage Grove Ave. 2nd Floor<br />
Chicago IL</p>
<p>Learn about opportunities in the building and construction trades.¿This presentation will provide an overview of the outlook, wages, working conditions and requirements for construction trade jobs. We will also discuss apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs available in the Chicagoland area and services to support you along the way in these exciting and in-demand careers.¿¿</p>
<p><strong>Intro to Construction Trades Workshop</strong><br />
Friday, August 16, 2019<br />
9:00 a.m.<br />
Southwest American Job Center at Daley College<br />
7500 S. Pulaski Road, Building 100<br />
Chicago</p>
<p>Learn about opportunities in the building and construction trades.¿This presentation will provide an overview of the outlook, wages, working conditions and requirements for construction trade jobs. We will also discuss apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs available in the Chicagoland area and services to support you along the way in these exciting and in-demand careers.</p>
<p><strong>Careers in Construction Trades</strong><br />
Wednesday, August 21, 2019<br />
2:00 p.m.<br />
North Suburban Cook County American Job Center<br />
723 W Algonquin Road Ste A<br />
Arlington Heights, Ill.</p>
<p>Participants can learn about career pathways in construction, as well as training and apprenticeship resources.</p>
<p><strong>Construction Trades Info Session</strong><br />
Wednesday, August 21, 2019<br />
2:30 p.m.<br />
Central States SER<br />
3948 W. 26th St.<br />
Chicago</p>
<p>Learn about opportunities in the building and construction trades.</p>
<p><strong>Introduction to Construction Trades Workshop</strong><br />
Friday, August 23, 2019<br />
9:00 a.m.<br />
South Suburban Cook County American Job Center<br />
Harvey IDES Office<br />
16845 S. Halsted St.<br />
Harvey, Ill.</p>
<p>Learn about opportunities in the building and construction trades.¿This presentation will provide an overview of the outlook, wages, working conditions and requirements for construction trade jobs. We will also discuss apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs available in the Chicagoland area and services to support you along the way in these exciting and in-demand careers.¿¿</p>
<p>Interested in learning more about ConstructionWorks? Visit Illinoistollway.com for more information.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="axrd" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-06-25]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
New Tollway Construction Training Program Attracts Job Seekers in Harvey
Display date: 2019-06-25
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
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<tbody>
<tr>
<td><img alt="" src="/documents/20184/783464/DSC_3871-2.jpg/f53ccd8a-0c2b-4082-928a-6dbde19a9cc5?t=1562093027306" style="width:300px;" /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><img alt="" src="/documents/20184/783464/DSC_3877.jpg/3d8b3e5e-2234-4274-bfba-66eb7ae3c3a8?t=1562093027448" style="width:300px;" /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><img alt="" src="/documents/20184/783464/DSC_3854.jpg/917eb176-02b4-4b5b-9b1d-7997a75c8e6a?t=1562093027150" style="width:300px;" /></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><strong>Tollway’s ConstructionWorks making career opportunities available to diverse men and women</strong></p>
<p>Construction jobs are in high demand. A recent Illinois Tollway open house at the Illinois Department of Employment Security office in Harvey attracted more than 100 men and women to learn about opportunities for rewarding careers in Illinois’ transportation-related construction industry.</p>
<p>The public open house invited customers, residents and businesses to learn about construction and workforce opportunities as part of the Tollway’s ongoing work on the $719 million Tri-State Tollway (I-294)/I-57 Interchange Project. This included information about jobs with the agency and the Illinois Tollway’s various diversity and inclusion initiatives with an emphasis on ConstructionWorks.</p>
<p>ConstructionWorks is a new workforce development program creating a pipeline of diverse men and women ready to enter heavy highway and related construction industry careers like equipment operators, carpenters, electricians and cement masons.</p>
<p>For communities across the region like Harvey, programs like ConstructionWorks can mean economic growth for people of all backgrounds.</p>
<p><strong>Tollway Creating Career Ladder to Rewarding Opportunities throughout Region.</strong></p>
<p>Amid a growing construction industry and with billions in Chicagoland infrastructure improvements on the horizon, the Illinois Tollway is stepping up to create a career ladder through ConstructionWorks.</p>
<p>ConstructionWorks connects participants to a network of experienced career and pre-apprenticeship training partners throughout Northern Illinois that offer customized construction industry preparation. Once trained and placed in a pre-apprenticeship program, participants can expect starting pay at around $20 an hour for many of the jobs, with the potential to earn upwards of $45 an hour with experience.</p>
<p><strong>ConstructionWorks Delivering Access to Unprecedented Job Training and Support Services</strong></p>
<p>ConstructionWorks job candidates are ready to work and have received an unprecedented level of access to comprehensive job training, support, placement and retention services. A variety of factors can make it difficult for individuals to get hired and retain employment in the construction industry, but ConstructionWorks helps connect participants with support services designed to overcome any challenges. These services are designed to break down potential barriers to employment and include transportation, childcare, drug counseling, financial coaching and work apparel and tools. Access to those services continues even after an individual is hired.</p>
<p><strong>Opportunities Available to Get Started on a Career in Construction Today</strong></p>
<p>With several upcoming ConstructionWorks events, job fairs and informational sessions across the region in the coming weeks, there’s never been a better time to get started. Those interested in participating are encouraged to visit any one of the following events or simply text “ConstructionWorks” to 77453 to become connected with their nearest ConstructionWorks location.</p>
<p><strong>Introduction to Construction Trades Workshop</strong><br />
Friday, July 5, 2019<br />
10:00 a.m.<br />
West Suburban Cook County American Job Center<br />
1701 S. 1st Ave. Suite 10<br />
Maywood, Ill.</p>
<p>Learn about opportunities in the building and construction trades.¿This presentation will provide an overview of the outlook, wages, working conditions and requirements for construction trade jobs. We will also discuss apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs available in the Chicagoland area and services to support you along the way in these exciting and in-demand careers.¿¿</p>
<p><strong>Introduction to Construction Trades Workshop</strong><br />
Wednesday, July 10, 2019<br />
9:00 a.m.<br />
Mid-South American Job Center<br />
4314 S. Cottage Grove Ave. 2nd Floor<br />
Chicago</p>
<p>Learn about opportunities in the building and construction trades.¿This presentation will provide an overview of the outlook, wages, working conditions and requirements for construction trade jobs. We will also discuss apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs available in the Chicagoland area and services to support you along the way in these exciting and in-demand careers.¿¿</p>
<p><strong>Introduction to Construction Trades Workshop</strong><br />
Thursday, July 11, 2019<br />
9:00 a.m.<br />
Southwest American Job Center at Daley College<br />
7500 S. Pulaski Road, Building 100<br />
Chicago</p>
<p>Learn about opportunities in the building and construction trades.¿This presentation will provide an overview of the outlook, wages, working conditions and requirements for construction trade jobs. We will also discuss apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs available in the Chicagoland area and services to support you along the way in these exciting and in-demand careers.¿¿</p>
<p><strong>Pre-Apprentice Open House</strong><br />
Thursday, July 11, 2019<br />
1:00 p.m.<br />
Southwest American Job Center at Daley College<br />
7500 S. Pulaski Road, Building 100<br />
Chicago</p>
<p>We will give each provider an opportunity to do a 10- to 15-minute presentation to a group and then allow time after the presentations to meet one-on-one with interested participants.</p>
<p><strong>Careers in Construction Trades</strong><br />
Wednesday, July 17, 2019<br />
2:00 p.m.<br />
North Suburban Cook County American Job Center<br />
723 W Algonquin Road Ste A<br />
Arlington Heights, Ill.</p>
<p>Participants can learn about career pathways in construction, as well as training and apprenticeship resources.</p>
<p><strong>Introduction to Construction Trades Workshop</strong><br />
Friday, July 26, 2019<br />
9:00 a.m.<br />
South Suburban Cook County American Job Center<br />
Harvey IDES Office<br />
16845 S. Halsted St.<br />
Harvey, Ill.</p>
<p>Learn about opportunities in the building and construction trades.¿This presentation will provide an overview of the outlook, wages, working conditions and requirements for construction trade jobs. We will also discuss apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs available in the Chicagoland area and services to support you along the way in these exciting and in-demand careers.¿¿</p>
<p><strong>ConstructionWorks Testing</strong><br />
Friday, July 26, 2019<br />
10:00 a.m.<br />
South Suburban Cook County American Job Center<br />
Harvey IDES Office<br />
16845 S. Halsted St.<br />
Harvey, Ill.</p>
<p><strong>Pre-Test Assessment</strong></p>
<p><strong>ConstructionWorks Pre-Test Workshop</strong><br />
Friday, July 26, 2019 & Saturday, July 27, 2019<br />
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.<br />
Mid-South American Job Center<br />
4314 S. Cottage Grove Ave. 2nd Floor<br />
Chicago</p>
<p>This two-day training will focus on providing course participants with a fundamental working knowledge of common principles and concepts required to pass most construction trades entrance exams. Participants will gain exposure to the basic principles of mechanics, spatial reasoning, mathematics and reading comprehension and will be provided with an opportunity to gain hands-on practice with each of these topics. Participants who complete this training and master the knowledge will be prepared to take the first step in an exciting career in construction and skilled trades!</p>
<p><strong>Intro to Construction Trades Workshop</strong><br />
Friday, August 2, 2019<br />
10:00 a.m.<br />
West Suburban Cook County American Job Center<br />
1701 S. 1st Avenue Suite 10<br />
Maywood, Ill.</p>
<p>Learn about opportunities in the building and construction trades.¿This presentation will provide an overview of the outlook, wages, working conditions and requirements for construction trade jobs. We will also discuss apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs available in the Chicagoland area and services to support you along the way in these exciting and in-demand careers.</p>
<p><strong>Intro to Construction Trades Workshop</strong><br />
Wednesday, August 7, 2019<br />
9:00 a.m.<br />
Mid-South American Job Center<br />
4314 S. Cottage Grove Ave. 2nd Floor<br />
Chicago IL</p>
<p>Learn about opportunities in the building and construction trades.¿This presentation will provide an overview of the outlook, wages, working conditions and requirements for construction trade jobs. We will also discuss apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs available in the Chicagoland area and services to support you along the way in these exciting and in-demand careers.¿¿</p>
<p><strong>Intro to Construction Trades Workshop</strong><br />
Friday, August 16, 2019<br />
9:00 a.m.<br />
Southwest American Job Center at Daley College<br />
7500 S. Pulaski Road, Building 100<br />
Chicago</p>
<p>Learn about opportunities in the building and construction trades.¿This presentation will provide an overview of the outlook, wages, working conditions and requirements for construction trade jobs. We will also discuss apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs available in the Chicagoland area and services to support you along the way in these exciting and in-demand careers.</p>
<p><strong>Careers in Construction Trades</strong><br />
Wednesday, August 21, 2019<br />
2:00 p.m.<br />
North Suburban Cook County American Job Center<br />
723 W Algonquin Road Ste A<br />
Arlington Heights, Ill.</p>
<p>Participants can learn about career pathways in construction, as well as training and apprenticeship resources.</p>
<p><strong>Construction Trades Info Session</strong><br />
Wednesday, August 21, 2019<br />
2:30 p.m.<br />
Central States SER<br />
3948 W. 26th St.<br />
Chicago</p>
<p>Learn about opportunities in the building and construction trades.</p>
<p><strong>Introduction to Construction Trades Workshop</strong><br />
Friday, August 23, 2019<br />
9:00 a.m.<br />
South Suburban Cook County American Job Center<br />
Harvey IDES Office<br />
16845 S. Halsted St.<br />
Harvey, Ill.</p>
<p>Learn about opportunities in the building and construction trades.¿This presentation will provide an overview of the outlook, wages, working conditions and requirements for construction trade jobs. We will also discuss apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs available in the Chicagoland area and services to support you along the way in these exciting and in-demand careers.¿¿</p>
<p>Interested in learning more about ConstructionWorks? Visit Illinoistollway.com for more information.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="isuq" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-06-25]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
New Tollway Construction Training Program Attracts Job Seekers in Harvey
Display date: 2019-06-25
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="tjbm" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"0","groupId":"20184","name":"37099","alt":"MSite_BlogHero-01.png","title":"MSite_BlogHero-01.png","type":"journal","uuid":"709b0630-ff2d-44e3-b177-d201569de1a6","fileEntryId":"781571","resourcePrimKey":"1228717"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="2rJQAyyW" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="zmll" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Continues Drive Towards Sustainable Facilities]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="IZ7tt8oq" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="vpff" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway is winning recognition for replacing its aging maintenance facilities with new, energy-efficient garages that include rooftop solar power arrays, radiant heating systems and other environmentally-friendly features.</p>
<p>The Tollway so far has replaced three out-of-date garages along its system with maintenance facilities that are so advanced they meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification for sustainable design and construction—a first for any Illinois transportation agency.</p>
<p>Tollway Board directors this week awarded a $31 million contract to construct a fourth new LEED-certified maintenance facility—this one adjacent to the Aurora Toll Plaza on I-88 that will serve as a garage, fleet hub and Illinois State Police office.</p>
<p>The LEED-certified design features energy-efficient lighting, roof-top photovoltaic panels to generate electrical power, in-floor radiant heat and overhead natural gas radiant heat to help reduce energy costs, as well as low-flow water fixtures and landscaping requiring little or no irrigation to limit water usage.</p>
<p>The new maintenance sites are part of the Tollway’s commitment to incorporate cost-effective, sustainable programs that help the agency protect the environment and operate more efficiently.</p>
<p>These efforts are a compliment to the Illinois Tollway’s overall commitment to the environment. To read about these efforts visit our the Environment section of the Tollway’s website which can be found <a href="/projects/environment" target="_blank">here</a>. To read more about the other contracts awarded at Today’s board meeting click <a href="/documents/20184/729049/20190620+-+Illinois+Tollway+Awards+%24136.1+Million+in+Contracts+for+Construction+and+Professional+Engineering+Services+in+June/f9c58253-2b24-461a-b86d-1825f44d85f6" target="_blank">here</a>, or you can go back and watch today’s meeting online at any time by clicking <a href="/about/board-information#WebcastInformation" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="puug" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-06-20]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Continues Drive Towards Sustainable Facilities
Display date: 2019-06-20
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="ckui" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"0","groupId":"20184","name":"37099","alt":"MSite_BlogHero-01.png","title":"MSite_BlogHero-01.png","type":"journal","uuid":"709b0630-ff2d-44e3-b177-d201569de1a6","fileEntryId":"781571","resourcePrimKey":"1142917"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="byTaXz9c" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="kdxl" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Continues Drive Towards Sustainable Facilities]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="KmRPWjj0" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="kmsn" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway is winning recognition for replacing its aging maintenance facilities with new, energy-efficient garages that include rooftop solar power arrays, radiant heating systems and other environmentally-friendly features.</p>
<p>The Tollway so far has replaced three out-of-date garages along its system with maintenance facilities that are so advanced they meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification for sustainable design and construction—a first for any Illinois transportation agency.</p>
<p>Tollway Board directors this week awarded a $31 million contract to construct a fourth new LEED-certified maintenance facility—this one adjacent to the Aurora Toll Plaza on I-88 that will serve as a garage, fleet hub and Illinois State Police office.</p>
<p>The LEED-certified design features energy-efficient lighting, roof-top photovoltaic panels to generate electrical power, in-floor radiant heat and overhead natural gas radiant heat to help reduce energy costs, as well as low-flow water fixtures and landscaping requiring little or no irrigation to limit water usage.</p>
<p>The new maintenance sites are part of the Tollway’s commitment to incorporate cost-effective, sustainable programs that help the agency protect the environment and operate more efficiently.</p>
<p>These efforts are a compliment to the Illinois Tollway’s overall commitment to the environment. To read about these efforts visit our the Environment section of the Tollway’s website which can be found <a href="/projects/environment" target="_blank">here</a>. To read more about the other contracts awarded at Today’s board meeting click <a href="/documents/20184/729049/20190620+-+Illinois+Tollway+Awards+%24136.1+Million+in+Contracts+for+Construction+and+Professional+Engineering+Services+in+June/f9c58253-2b24-461a-b86d-1825f44d85f6" target="_blank">here</a>, or you can go back and watch today’s meeting online at any time by clicking <a href="/about/board-information#WebcastInformation" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="vuro" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-06-20]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Continues Drive Towards Sustainable Facilities
Display date: 2019-06-20
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="tskn" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"CW blog post-v2_0619.jpg","name":"CW blog post-v2_0619.jpg","width":"","description":"CW blog post-v2_0619.jpg","title":"CW blog post-v2_0619.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"f3f39881-5623-4677-88a6-7d3c5fb34650","fileEntryId":"777957","resourcePrimKey":"1228730","url":"/documents/20184/777818/CW%20blog%20post-v2_0619.jpg/f3f39881-5623-4677-88a6-7d3c5fb34650?t=1559854962653","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="zLC3vz5N" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="qtut" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Looking for a career in construction? Make it a reality by checking out these upcoming events.]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="ud69XcdM" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="mfle" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>At the Illinois Tollway, we’re committed to expanding access to opportunities for Illinois’ diverse communities. Our ConstructionWorks program is ready to help job seekers take the next step to make a new career in construction become a reality. With more than $20 billion in planned construction in Chicagoland over the next decade, the demand for a skilled workforce is growing, and there’s never been a better time to get started. </p>
<p>ConstructionWorks providers are hosting events, participating in job fairs and informational sessions across the region this month designed to help participants with the following:</p>
<ul>
<li>Explore opportunities for a career in the construction industry</li>
<li>Learn the skills needed to be successful</li>
<li>Get assistance through support services designed to overcome any challenges </li>
</ul>
<p>Check out any one of the following July events, or simply click <a href="http://bit.ly/ConstWorks" target="_blank">here</a> to apply and become connected with your nearest ConstructionWorks location.</p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Intro to Construction Trades Workshop</strong><br />
Friday, July 5, 2019<br />
10:00 AM</p>
<p>West Suburban Cook County American Job Center<br />
1701 South 1st Avenue Suite 10<br />
Maywood, Illinois 60153</p>
<p>Learn about opportunities in the Building & Construction Trades Industry. This presentation will provide an overview of the outlook, wages, working conditions, and requirements for Construction Trade jobs. We will also discuss Apprenticeship and Pre-Apprenticeship programs available in the Chicagoland area and how E&ES can support you along the way into these exciting and in-demand careers. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Intro to Construction Trades Workshop</strong><br />
Wednesday, July 10, 2019<br />
9:00 AM</p>
<p>Mid-South American Job Center <br />
4314 South Cottage Grove<br />
2nd Floor<br />
Chicago, Illinois 60653</p>
<p>Learn about opportunities in the Building & Construction Trades Industry. This presentation will provide an overview of the outlook, wages, working conditions, and requirements for Construction Trade jobs. We will also discuss Apprenticeship and Pre-Apprenticeship programs available in the Chicagoland area and how E&ES can support you along the way into these exciting and in-demand careers. </p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Intro to Construction Trades Workshop</strong><br />
Thursday, July 11, 2019<br />
9:00 AM</p>
<p>Southwest American Job Center at Daley College<br />
7500 Pulaski, Building 100<br />
Chicago, Illinois 60652</p>
<p>Learn about opportunities in the Building & Construction Trades Industry. This presentation will provide an overview of the outlook, wages, working conditions, and requirements for Construction Trade jobs. We will also discuss Apprenticeship and Pre-Apprenticeship programs available in the Chicagoland area and how E&ES can support you along the way into these exciting and in-demand careers. </p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Intro to Construction Trades Workshop</strong><br />
Friday, July 26, 2019<br />
9:00 AM</p>
<p>South Suburban Cook County American Job Center<br />
Illinois Department of Employment Security Harvey Office<br />
16845 South Halsted Street<br />
Harvey, Illinois 60426</p>
<p>Learn about opportunities in the Building & Construction Trades Industry. This presentation will provide an overview of the outlook, wages, working conditions, and requirements for Construction Trade jobs. We will also discuss Apprenticeship and Pre-Apprenticeship programs available in the Chicagoland area and how E&ES can support you along the way into these exciting and in-demand careers. </p>
<p>ConstructionWorks supports men and women seeking career opportunities and advanced participation within the skilled building trades including heavy highway construction. Services are available at designated locations throughout Chicago, Suburban Cook County, DuPage County, Waukegan, Aurora and Rockford.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Get Started Today</strong></p>
<p>Visit any one of our eighteen local ConstructionWorks centers to meet with a career coach and get started on advancing your career in construction. You may also text “ConstructionWorks” to 77453 to apply.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="eyaf" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-06-05]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Looking for a career in construction? Make it a reality by checking out these upcoming events.
Display date: 2019-06-05
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="dkvl" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"0","groupId":"20184","name":"36810","alt":"CW blog post-v2_0619.jpg","title":"CW blog post-v2_0619.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"f3f39881-5623-4677-88a6-7d3c5fb34650","fileEntryId":"777957","resourcePrimKey":"1142930"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="lFYt3cF2" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="xksm" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Looking for a career in construction? Make it a reality by checking out these upcoming events.]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="Ob3GGMic" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="ehsh" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>At the Illinois Tollway, we’re committed to expanding access to opportunities for Illinois’ diverse communities. Our ConstructionWorks program is ready to help job seekers take the next step to make a new career in construction become a reality. With more than $20 billion in planned construction in Chicagoland over the next decade, the demand for a skilled workforce is growing, and there’s never been a better time to get started. </p>
<p>ConstructionWorks providers are hosting events, participating in job fairs and informational sessions across the region this month designed to help participants with the following:</p>
<ul>
<li>Explore opportunities for a career in the construction industry</li>
<li>Learn the skills needed to be successful</li>
<li>Get assistance through support services designed to overcome any challenges </li>
</ul>
<p>Check out any one of the following July events, or simply click <a href="http://bit.ly/ConstWorks" target="_blank">here</a> to apply and become connected with your nearest ConstructionWorks location.</p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Intro to Construction Trades Workshop</strong><br />
Friday, July 5, 2019<br />
10:00 AM</p>
<p>West Suburban Cook County American Job Center<br />
1701 South 1st Avenue Suite 10<br />
Maywood, Illinois 60153</p>
<p>Learn about opportunities in the Building & Construction Trades Industry. This presentation will provide an overview of the outlook, wages, working conditions, and requirements for Construction Trade jobs. We will also discuss Apprenticeship and Pre-Apprenticeship programs available in the Chicagoland area and how E&ES can support you along the way into these exciting and in-demand careers. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Intro to Construction Trades Workshop</strong><br />
Wednesday, July 10, 2019<br />
9:00 AM</p>
<p>Mid-South American Job Center <br />
4314 South Cottage Grove<br />
2nd Floor<br />
Chicago, Illinois 60653</p>
<p>Learn about opportunities in the Building & Construction Trades Industry. This presentation will provide an overview of the outlook, wages, working conditions, and requirements for Construction Trade jobs. We will also discuss Apprenticeship and Pre-Apprenticeship programs available in the Chicagoland area and how E&ES can support you along the way into these exciting and in-demand careers. </p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Intro to Construction Trades Workshop</strong><br />
Thursday, July 11, 2019<br />
9:00 AM</p>
<p>Southwest American Job Center at Daley College<br />
7500 Pulaski, Building 100<br />
Chicago, Illinois 60652</p>
<p>Learn about opportunities in the Building & Construction Trades Industry. This presentation will provide an overview of the outlook, wages, working conditions, and requirements for Construction Trade jobs. We will also discuss Apprenticeship and Pre-Apprenticeship programs available in the Chicagoland area and how E&ES can support you along the way into these exciting and in-demand careers. </p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Intro to Construction Trades Workshop</strong><br />
Friday, July 26, 2019<br />
9:00 AM</p>
<p>South Suburban Cook County American Job Center<br />
Illinois Department of Employment Security Harvey Office<br />
16845 South Halsted Street<br />
Harvey, Illinois 60426</p>
<p>Learn about opportunities in the Building & Construction Trades Industry. This presentation will provide an overview of the outlook, wages, working conditions, and requirements for Construction Trade jobs. We will also discuss Apprenticeship and Pre-Apprenticeship programs available in the Chicagoland area and how E&ES can support you along the way into these exciting and in-demand careers. </p>
<p>ConstructionWorks supports men and women seeking career opportunities and advanced participation within the skilled building trades including heavy highway construction. Services are available at designated locations throughout Chicago, Suburban Cook County, DuPage County, Waukegan, Aurora and Rockford.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Get Started Today</strong></p>
<p>Visit any one of our eighteen local ConstructionWorks centers to meet with a career coach and get started on advancing your career in construction. You may also text “ConstructionWorks” to 77453 to apply.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="ecyf" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-06-05]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Looking for a career in construction? Make it a reality by checking out these upcoming events.
Display date: 2019-06-05
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="imvr" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"0","groupId":"20184","name":"36753","alt":"201905 Trees.jpg","title":"201905 Trees.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"8e0ff370-5873-47af-b9e3-c2d0b89aba57","fileEntryId":"776722","resourcePrimKey":"1228743"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="R7VUU93V" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="umnj" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Reader Question, What are you planting on I-355?]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="Y2hFfDh1" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="znva" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>We often get questions though Facebook, Twitter and our website on a host of topics related to our roadway system.</p>
<p>This week we received the following question via Facebook, “Anyway I can find out about the trees and whatever else is being planted along 355?”</p>
<p>Here’s our answer - In the past year and half, we have planted about 10,000 trees and shrubs at more than 30 locations along the south extension of the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355) between I-55 and I-80. This includes oaks, elms and locust trees.</p>
<p>We also established several test sites on I-355 where we are working in partnership with The Morton Arboretum to identify which trees perform best along the Tollway system, assess the effects of different soil amendments and research new tree planting techniques. There are several test sites at Bruce Road and at 159th Street and International Parkway adjacent to the Black Partridge Forest.</p>
<p>As part of the Tollway’s Landscape Master Plan, we set a goal to plant 58,000 trees and shrubs throughout our right-of-way to increase the regional tree canopy in support of the surrounding environment. So far, we have planted nearly 27,000 trees and shrubs throughout the Tollway system.</p>
<p>More information about the Tollway’s Landscape Master Plan is <a href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/projects/environment" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>
<p>More questions? Feel free to ask your questions through our <a href="http://www.illlinoistollway.com/contact-us" target="_blank">website</a> or find us @iltollway anywhere on social.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="ntbs" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-05-29]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Reader Question, What are you planting on I-355?
Display date: 2019-05-29
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="quyf" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"0","groupId":"20184","name":"36753","alt":"201905 Trees.jpg","title":"201905 Trees.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"8e0ff370-5873-47af-b9e3-c2d0b89aba57","fileEntryId":"776722","resourcePrimKey":"1142943"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="c9GEeiWn" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="uvbo" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Reader Question, What are you planting on I-355?]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="dGT0ft2o" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="kien" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>We often get questions though Facebook, Twitter and our website on a host of topics related to our roadway system.</p>
<p>This week we received the following question via Facebook, “Anyway I can find out about the trees and whatever else is being planted along 355?”</p>
<p>Here’s our answer - In the past year and half, we have planted about 10,000 trees and shrubs at more than 30 locations along the south extension of the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355) between I-55 and I-80. This includes oaks, elms and locust trees.</p>
<p>We also established several test sites on I-355 where we are working in partnership with The Morton Arboretum to identify which trees perform best along the Tollway system, assess the effects of different soil amendments and research new tree planting techniques. There are several test sites at Bruce Road and at 159th Street and International Parkway adjacent to the Black Partridge Forest.</p>
<p>As part of the Tollway’s Landscape Master Plan, we set a goal to plant 58,000 trees and shrubs throughout our right-of-way to increase the regional tree canopy in support of the surrounding environment. So far, we have planted nearly 27,000 trees and shrubs throughout the Tollway system.</p>
<p>More information about the Tollway’s Landscape Master Plan is <a href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/projects/environment" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>
<p>More questions? Feel free to ask your questions through our <a href="http://www.illlinoistollway.com/contact-us" target="_blank">website</a> or find us @iltollway anywhere on social.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="jxaz" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-05-29]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Reader Question, What are you planting on I-355?
Display date: 2019-05-29
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="qusj" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"0","groupId":"20184","name":"36726","alt":"DSC_3168_blog_TW_main.jpg","title":"DSC_3168_blog_TW_main.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"4c3d4804-b64e-4df0-a6a3-471c4d80368a","fileEntryId":"776049","resourcePrimKey":"1228756"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="K4QaIbij" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="asoi" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Veterans Roll Across Illinois Tollway on Way to D.C.]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="uiuzmmGH" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="nrxo" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width:300px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><img alt="" src="/documents/20184/775971/DSC_3133_FB-2.jpg/e14af148-0b85-4e4d-8e17-52d353beef4a?t=1558707778577" style="width:300px;" /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><img alt="" src="/documents/20184/775971/DSC_3153_FB.jpg/bd45fdb9-3e12-4f9e-9c35-b5022403df14?t=1558706407785" style="width:300px;" /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><img alt="" src="/documents/20184/775971/DSC_3073_Blog_FB-2.jpg/911df8c4-3b56-47ad-a18c-58c11c0dcc67?t=1558719399235" style="width:300px;" /></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>Late Wednesday, Illinois Tollway maintenance crews and ISP District 15 troopers had the honor of clearing a path home for over 200 military veterans on their annual ride to Washington D.C. in honor of Memorial Day. </p>
<p>The Veterans Roll Across America ride is a caravan that celebrates Memorial Day through a cross country trip for veterans where they visit the Lincoln Memorial, Arlington Cemetery, museums and various war memorials that honor the service of our armed forces. </p>
<p>The caravan of 11 charter buses received an escort from Illinois State Police District 15 and Tollway maintenance vehicles to ensure a safe trip. Local fire departments, hundreds of motorcycles and classic vehicles also participated in the trip across the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90). </p>
<p>The four-day trip started in Beloit, Wisconsin, traveled across Illinois via I-90 and continued east to Washington. </p>
<p>Now in its 10th year, the annual VetsRoll provides all-expenses paid trips to the nation’s capital for men and women who served in World War II and the Vietnam and Korea wars as a way to recognize their sacrifices and help provide closure. Although the organization is based in Wisconsin, VetsRoll attracted veterans from 37 different states this year. </p>
<p>VetsRoll is modeled after the Honor Flight Network, which raises money to charter flights for World War II veterans to fly to Washington at no cost to the veterans. Though the bus trips are longer, they allow greater flexibility for veterans to move around, play cards and games while eliminating some of the hassles of flying for senior citizens. </p>
<p>For more information, please visit <a href="https://www.vetsroll.org/" target="_blank">vetsroll.org</a>. </p>
<table border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width:700px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><img alt="" src="/documents/20184/775971/DSC_3173_FB_Main-3.jpg/2b433b6a-01d8-4d86-a6c8-7bd845ef413e?t=1558708652987" style="width:900px;" /></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p> </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="bolm" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-05-24]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Veterans Roll Across Illinois Tollway on Way to D.C.
Display date: 2019-05-24
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="hdmx" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"0","groupId":"20184","name":"36726","alt":"DSC_3168_blog_TW_main.jpg","title":"DSC_3168_blog_TW_main.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"4c3d4804-b64e-4df0-a6a3-471c4d80368a","fileEntryId":"776049","resourcePrimKey":"1142956"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="NotRlG6n" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="zijz" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Veterans Roll Across Illinois Tollway on Way to D.C.]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="FT0i6MNR" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="idsh" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width:300px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><img alt="" src="/documents/20184/775971/DSC_3133_FB-2.jpg/e14af148-0b85-4e4d-8e17-52d353beef4a?t=1558707778577" style="width:300px;" /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><img alt="" src="/documents/20184/775971/DSC_3153_FB.jpg/bd45fdb9-3e12-4f9e-9c35-b5022403df14?t=1558706407785" style="width:300px;" /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><img alt="" src="/documents/20184/775971/DSC_3073_Blog_FB-2.jpg/911df8c4-3b56-47ad-a18c-58c11c0dcc67?t=1558719399235" style="width:300px;" /></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>Late Wednesday, Illinois Tollway maintenance crews and ISP District 15 troopers had the honor of clearing a path home for over 200 military veterans on their annual ride to Washington D.C. in honor of Memorial Day. </p>
<p>The Veterans Roll Across America ride is a caravan that celebrates Memorial Day through a cross country trip for veterans where they visit the Lincoln Memorial, Arlington Cemetery, museums and various war memorials that honor the service of our armed forces. </p>
<p>The caravan of 11 charter buses received an escort from Illinois State Police District 15 and Tollway maintenance vehicles to ensure a safe trip. Local fire departments, hundreds of motorcycles and classic vehicles also participated in the trip across the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90). </p>
<p>The four-day trip started in Beloit, Wisconsin, traveled across Illinois via I-90 and continued east to Washington. </p>
<p>Now in its 10th year, the annual VetsRoll provides all-expenses paid trips to the nation’s capital for men and women who served in World War II and the Vietnam and Korea wars as a way to recognize their sacrifices and help provide closure. Although the organization is based in Wisconsin, VetsRoll attracted veterans from 37 different states this year. </p>
<p>VetsRoll is modeled after the Honor Flight Network, which raises money to charter flights for World War II veterans to fly to Washington at no cost to the veterans. Though the bus trips are longer, they allow greater flexibility for veterans to move around, play cards and games while eliminating some of the hassles of flying for senior citizens. </p>
<p>For more information, please visit <a href="https://www.vetsroll.org/" target="_blank">vetsroll.org</a>. </p>
<table border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width:700px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><img alt="" src="/documents/20184/775971/DSC_3173_FB_Main-3.jpg/2b433b6a-01d8-4d86-a6c8-7bd845ef413e?t=1558708652987" style="width:900px;" /></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p> </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="nebx" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-05-24]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Veterans Roll Across Illinois Tollway on Way to D.C.
Display date: 2019-05-24
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="zbfs" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"EZPass_17States_506x175-01.png","name":"EZPass_17States_506x175-01.png","width":"","description":"EZPass_17States_506x175-01.png","title":"EZPass_17States_506x175-01.png","type":"journal","uuid":"11dc3158-dd0f-4b28-8638-52e91619544d","fileEntryId":"775527","resourcePrimKey":"1228769","url":"/documents/20184/772234/EZPass_17States_506x175-01.png/11dc3158-dd0f-4b28-8638-52e91619544d?t=1558534679625","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="rFpZOiPn" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="saqx" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Traveling This Summer? I-PASS and the Illinois Tollway Have You Covered.]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="bmlKLSt3" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="bzfl" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p><strong>Are you or your family traveling this summer? I-PASS and the Illinois Tollway have you covered. </strong></p>
<p>Whether you’re heading out of state or have family and friends coming to visit, our I-PASS services are there to help you navigate all your travel needs. </p>
<p><strong>I-PASS and E-ZPass are completely integrated</strong>, so your I-PASS can be used to pay tolls not only on the Illinois Tollway, but also in other states that accept E-ZPass, including Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky and 13 other states that are part of the E-ZPass network. Same goes for your family and friends who have E-ZPass. If they’re driving to you, they’ll be able to seamlessly travel throughout the Illinois Tollway system.</p>
<p>No E-ZPass? No problem. <strong>I-PASS customers can add license plates of traveling family and friends to their I-PASS accounts</strong>. Plates can be added as authorized I-PASS account users to pay tolls electronically and avoid violations. Account holders can update their accounts by logging into their accounts at <a href="https://www.getipass.com/" target="_blank">www.getipass.com</a> or by calling 800-UCI-PASS. </p>
<p><strong>To make summer travel easy and safe, the Tollway reminds drivers to follow a few basic travel tips</strong>: </p>
<ul>
<li>Avoid distracted driving. Stop at any Tollway oases to safely use cellphones for calling, texting and accessing mobile apps. It’s illegal for drivers to use any hand-held device when driving. </li>
<li>Get on your Waze. The Tollway provides Waze with information on lane blockages, roadway incidents and the location of H.E.L.P. trucks. </li>
<li>Keep tabs on your tolls. The Tollway’s website is fully accessible from mobile devices, providing access anytime, anywhere to I-PASS account information or pay unpaid tolls. </li>
<li>Move Over. Illinois law requires motorists to change lanes or slow down and proceed with caution when passing any vehicle on the side of the road with hazard lights activated.</li>
<li>Dial *999 for roadway assistance. Need help on the road? Tollway customers can call *999 to get assistance from Tollway roadway maintenance crews or from Illinois State Police District 15. </li>
</ul>
<p>Other Summer Travel Tips:</p>
<ul>
<li>Check your tires. Make sure your tires are inflated to the correct pressure, including the spare tire. </li>
<li>Inspect windshield wipers and fluid. Ensure that bug splatter, dirt and inclement weather don’t impair your view. </li>
<li>Make sure the A/C works. Have a mechanic inspect your coolant, condenser and belts. </li>
<li>Flush your radiator. Get your radiator flushed and filled to avoid overheating. </li>
<li>Pack an emergency kit. Include non-perishable snacks, bottled water, road flares, jumper cables, bandages and blanket.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="/travel-information">Find More Travel Information</a> </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="dbey" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-05-22]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Traveling This Summer? I-PASS and the Illinois Tollway Have You Covered.
Display date: 2019-05-22
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="ueyu" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"0","groupId":"20184","name":"36706","alt":"EZPass_17States_506x175-01.png","title":"EZPass_17States_506x175-01.png","type":"journal","uuid":"11dc3158-dd0f-4b28-8638-52e91619544d","fileEntryId":"775527","resourcePrimKey":"1142969"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="5rNjKShV" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="ermr" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Traveling This Summer? I-PASS and the Illinois Tollway Have You Covered.]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="BqYhYK03" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="xxgd" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p><strong>Are you or your family traveling this summer? I-PASS and the Illinois Tollway have you covered. </strong></p>
<p>Whether you’re heading out of state or have family and friends coming to visit, our I-PASS services are there to help you navigate all your travel needs. </p>
<p><strong>I-PASS and E-ZPass are completely integrated</strong>, so your I-PASS can be used to pay tolls not only on the Illinois Tollway, but also in other states that accept E-ZPass, including Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky and 13 other states that are part of the E-ZPass network. Same goes for your family and friends who have E-ZPass. If they’re driving to you, they’ll be able to seamlessly travel throughout the Illinois Tollway system.</p>
<p>No E-ZPass? No problem. <strong>I-PASS customers can add license plates of traveling family and friends to their I-PASS accounts</strong>. Plates can be added as authorized I-PASS account users to pay tolls electronically and avoid violations. Account holders can update their accounts by logging into their accounts at <a href="https://www.getipass.com/" target="_blank">www.getipass.com</a> or by calling 800-UCI-PASS. </p>
<p><strong>To make summer travel easy and safe, the Tollway reminds drivers to follow a few basic travel tips</strong>: </p>
<ul>
<li>Avoid distracted driving. Stop at any Tollway oases to safely use cellphones for calling, texting and accessing mobile apps. It’s illegal for drivers to use any hand-held device when driving. </li>
<li>Get on your Waze. The Tollway provides Waze with information on lane blockages, roadway incidents and the location of H.E.L.P. trucks. </li>
<li>Keep tabs on your tolls. The Tollway’s website is fully accessible from mobile devices, providing access anytime, anywhere to I-PASS account information or pay unpaid tolls. </li>
<li>Move Over. Illinois law requires motorists to change lanes or slow down and proceed with caution when passing any vehicle on the side of the road with hazard lights activated.</li>
<li>Dial *999 for roadway assistance. Need help on the road? Tollway customers can call *999 to get assistance from Tollway roadway maintenance crews or from Illinois State Police District 15. </li>
</ul>
<p>Other Summer Travel Tips:</p>
<ul>
<li>Check your tires. Make sure your tires are inflated to the correct pressure, including the spare tire. </li>
<li>Inspect windshield wipers and fluid. Ensure that bug splatter, dirt and inclement weather don’t impair your view. </li>
<li>Make sure the A/C works. Have a mechanic inspect your coolant, condenser and belts. </li>
<li>Flush your radiator. Get your radiator flushed and filled to avoid overheating. </li>
<li>Pack an emergency kit. Include non-perishable snacks, bottled water, road flares, jumper cables, bandages and blanket.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="/travel-information">Find More Travel Information</a> </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="bnta" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-05-22]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Traveling This Summer? I-PASS and the Illinois Tollway Have You Covered.
Display date: 2019-05-22
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="rgae" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"0","groupId":"20184","name":"36422","alt":"Construction Works Three.png","title":"Construction Works Three.png","type":"journal","uuid":"61f2053f-559b-4e2a-baa5-c02bb0f38e40","fileEntryId":"772412","resourcePrimKey":"1228782"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="XXwpnHNH" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="ktot" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[New Economic Opportunities, Tollway ConstructionWorks Location Coming to Chatham Community]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="yVOASnRO" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="tsro" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Tollway’s new Executive Director José Alvarez was honored to join the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership, Congressman Bobby L. Rush, and GMA Construction Group, as well as public and private partners to announce the new Chatham Workforce and Training Center as a new home for the Tollway's <a href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/doing-business/diversity-development/programs#ConstructionWorks" target="_blank">ConstructionWorks</a> program. ConstructionWorks representatives were also on hand for a hiring event and resource fair to help individuals looking to work in the construction industry.</p>
<p>"This investment demonstrates what’s possible when we harness collaboration between the city, the county, the state and the private sector, each working together, to champion new programs that will open the doors for rewarding careers that will always be in demand," said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez.</p>
<p>“The Chatham Education and Workforce Center is more than a building,” said Karin M. Norington-Reaves, CEO of The Partnership. “It represents a collective effort to revitalize communities by cultivating innovation and laying the foundation for future economic opportunity."</p>
<p>The Center is made possible by the generous support of 4S Bay Partners, a Chicago-based family office, which purchased the building and is funding its build-out and furnishing. Other project partners include IFF, JPMorgan Chase, and GMA Construction Group who will be the Design Builder.</p>
<p>The new Center will open this fall and will feature an array of services, including but not limited to resume writing, interview preparation, job training services and employer related services to name a few. It will also hold sites for ConstructionWorks and Chicago Codes, a tuition-free development and coding academy.</p>
<p>The Illinois Tollway’s ConstructionWorks program, administered by The Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership, launched in 2018 and is providing free pre-apprenticeship training and support services to underemployed and disenfranchised individuals seeking training and career opportunities in the highway construction industry, including members of minority groups, women and veterans.</p>
<p>If you or someone you know is interested in ConstructionWorks, please click here to apply: <a href="http://bit.ly/ConstWorks" target="_blank">http://bit.ly/ConstWorks</a></p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="qgex" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-05-14]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
New Economic Opportunities, Tollway ConstructionWorks Location Coming to Chatham Community
Display date: 2019-05-14
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="hfpp" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"0","groupId":"20184","name":"36422","alt":"Construction Works Three.png","title":"Construction Works Three.png","type":"journal","uuid":"61f2053f-559b-4e2a-baa5-c02bb0f38e40","fileEntryId":"772412","resourcePrimKey":"1142982"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="Vikw0U8v" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="bntg" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[New Economic Opportunities, Tollway ConstructionWorks Location Coming to Chatham Community]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="xGyMEQQA" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="ynuu" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Tollway’s new Executive Director José Alvarez was honored to join the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership, Congressman Bobby L. Rush, and GMA Construction Group, as well as public and private partners to announce the new Chatham Workforce and Training Center as a new home for the Tollway's <a href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/doing-business/diversity-development/programs#ConstructionWorks" target="_blank">ConstructionWorks</a> program. ConstructionWorks representatives were also on hand for a hiring event and resource fair to help individuals looking to work in the construction industry.</p>
<p>"This investment demonstrates what’s possible when we harness collaboration between the city, the county, the state and the private sector, each working together, to champion new programs that will open the doors for rewarding careers that will always be in demand," said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez.</p>
<p>“The Chatham Education and Workforce Center is more than a building,” said Karin M. Norington-Reaves, CEO of The Partnership. “It represents a collective effort to revitalize communities by cultivating innovation and laying the foundation for future economic opportunity."</p>
<p>The Center is made possible by the generous support of 4S Bay Partners, a Chicago-based family office, which purchased the building and is funding its build-out and furnishing. Other project partners include IFF, JPMorgan Chase, and GMA Construction Group who will be the Design Builder.</p>
<p>The new Center will open this fall and will feature an array of services, including but not limited to resume writing, interview preparation, job training services and employer related services to name a few. It will also hold sites for ConstructionWorks and Chicago Codes, a tuition-free development and coding academy.</p>
<p>The Illinois Tollway’s ConstructionWorks program, administered by The Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership, launched in 2018 and is providing free pre-apprenticeship training and support services to underemployed and disenfranchised individuals seeking training and career opportunities in the highway construction industry, including members of minority groups, women and veterans.</p>
<p>If you or someone you know is interested in ConstructionWorks, please click here to apply: <a href="http://bit.ly/ConstWorks" target="_blank">http://bit.ly/ConstWorks</a></p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="cqto" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-05-14]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
New Economic Opportunities, Tollway ConstructionWorks Location Coming to Chatham Community
Display date: 2019-05-14
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="skgt" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"EmailHeader_600px-01.png","name":"EmailHeader_600px-01.png","width":"","description":"EmailHeader_600px-01.png","title":"EmailHeader_600px-01.png","type":"journal","uuid":"072b77bf-fc96-4501-98bf-5da1531a6d37","fileEntryId":"557262","resourcePrimKey":"1228795","url":"/documents/20184/492866/EmailHeader_600px-01.png/072b77bf-fc96-4501-98bf-5da1531a6d37?t=1492186401726","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="65uybzQ6" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="ujij" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Central Tri-State Project Open House]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="iyHzquzB" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="xqky" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway will host open house meetings next week to share 2019 construction information with customers, residents, businesses and communities as part of ongoing $4 billion Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Project.</p>
<p>The Central Tri-State is being reconstructed from Balmoral Avenue to 95th Street to provide congestion relief, reconstruct old infrastructure to meet current and future transportation demand and address regional needs.</p>
<p>The open house meetings will provide the opportunity to view informational displays and ask questions about work scheduled in 2019 including roadway construction and widening in the northern segment between Balmoral Avenue and Wolf Road and the start of construction on the Mile Long Bridge and the BNSF Railway Bridge, as well as the overall concept plan for the corridor.</p>
<p>The open house schedule includes meetings on:</p>
<ul>
<li>Monday, May 20, 6-8 p.m. at the Burr Ridge Police Department, 7700 S. County Line Road, Burr Ridge</li>
<li>Tuesday, May 21, 6-8 p.m., at the Lipinski Center, 7256 Skyline Drive, Justice</li>
<li>Wednesday, May 22, 6-8 p.m., at the Schiller Park Community Center, 4501 25th Avenue, Schiller Park</li>
</ul>
<p>The Illinois Tollway values public input and believes that Tollway customers are best served when a variety of perspectives on the issues are shared. Construction information for 2019 construction season and the concept plan for the Central Tri-State Project can be viewed <a href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/projects/tri-state/central-tri-state-reconstruction" target="_blank">here</a>. In addition, comments can be shared with the Tollway at any time via email at <a href="mailto:294tristate@getipass.com">294tristate@getipass.com</a>.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="eohe" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-05-13]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Central Tri-State Project Open House
Display date: 2019-05-13
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="gdqg" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"0","groupId":"20184","name":"22157","alt":"EmailHeader_600px-01.png","title":"EmailHeader_600px-01.png","type":"journal","uuid":"072b77bf-fc96-4501-98bf-5da1531a6d37","fileEntryId":"557262","resourcePrimKey":"1142995"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="WuDRA67H" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="kgvo" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Central Tri-State Project Open House]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="eShSHM0M" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="ccrb" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway will host open house meetings next week to share 2019 construction information with customers, residents, businesses and communities as part of ongoing $4 billion Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Project.</p>
<p>The Central Tri-State is being reconstructed from Balmoral Avenue to 95th Street to provide congestion relief, reconstruct old infrastructure to meet current and future transportation demand and address regional needs.</p>
<p>The open house meetings will provide the opportunity to view informational displays and ask questions about work scheduled in 2019 including roadway construction and widening in the northern segment between Balmoral Avenue and Wolf Road and the start of construction on the Mile Long Bridge and the BNSF Railway Bridge, as well as the overall concept plan for the corridor.</p>
<p>The open house schedule includes meetings on:</p>
<ul>
<li>Monday, May 20, 6-8 p.m. at the Burr Ridge Police Department, 7700 S. County Line Road, Burr Ridge</li>
<li>Tuesday, May 21, 6-8 p.m., at the Lipinski Center, 7256 Skyline Drive, Justice</li>
<li>Wednesday, May 22, 6-8 p.m., at the Schiller Park Community Center, 4501 25th Avenue, Schiller Park</li>
</ul>
<p>The Illinois Tollway values public input and believes that Tollway customers are best served when a variety of perspectives on the issues are shared. Construction information for 2019 construction season and the concept plan for the Central Tri-State Project can be viewed <a href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/projects/tri-state/central-tri-state-reconstruction" target="_blank">here</a>. In addition, comments can be shared with the Tollway at any time via email at <a href="mailto:294tristate@getipass.com">294tristate@getipass.com</a>.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="ppoh" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-05-13]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Central Tri-State Project Open House
Display date: 2019-05-13
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="vdro" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"0","groupId":"20184","name":"36401","alt":"DSC_0867_CentralTriPhoto.jpg","title":"DSC_0867_CentralTriPhoto.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"6011b0ab-bf3f-4d09-8bd7-127cdd5e6b8a","fileEntryId":"771509","resourcePrimKey":"1228808"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="0FLzd6NV" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="dnqc" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Tollway Honored for Work on Central Tri-State Project]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="gPxyKBca" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="tgnj" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>An Illinois Tollway planner is being honored for her leadership in creating the master plan for the $4 billion reconstruction of the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294).</p>
<p>Senior Manager of Strategic Planning Aimee Lee received the 2019 Innovative Transportation Solution Award from WTS Greater Chicago in recognition of the work done by her team to plan one of the largest construction projects in Tollway history.</p>
<p>Lee led a diverse team that developed an master plan for the I-294 project under an aggressive, one-year schedule—one of the shortest time frames ever used by the Tollway for a major project. The shorter time frame relied on Lee’s ability to make rapid decision to keep the project moving forward and on schedule.</p>
<p>The WTS award recognizes both the innovation of the planning process and Lee’s role as a project manager in overcoming challenges and also involving women in leadership roles on the project. Five of the eight key managers on the team were women, overseeing utility and right-of-way work, as well as community outreach.</p>
<p>Her team directed the work of four consultant teams whose contracts totaled nearly $100 million. Eight of the 39 firms on the consultant teams were owned by women.</p>
<p>One of the major innovations in the planning process was that it developed a regional, long-term plan for the 22-mile-long Central Tri-State corridor, relying on input from customers, local communities, businesses and other transportation agencies. Incorporating this information into the master plan helped identify the corridor’s long-term needs and develop recommendations to address those issues.</p>
<p>Reconstructing the Central Tri-State Tollway from Balmoral Avenue in Rosemont to 95th Street in Oak Lawn will provide congestion relief, rebuild old pavement and infrastructure to meet current and future transportation demands and address regional needs for improved mobility and access to local communities.</p>
<p>The master plan created for the corridor also provides opportunities to deliver innovations such as SmartRoad with active traffic management and Flex Lanes to accommodate transit, including Pace bus service.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="sqsn" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-05-10]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Tollway Honored for Work on Central Tri-State Project
Display date: 2019-05-10
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="blnc" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"0","groupId":"20184","name":"36401","alt":"DSC_0867_CentralTriPhoto.jpg","title":"DSC_0867_CentralTriPhoto.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"6011b0ab-bf3f-4d09-8bd7-127cdd5e6b8a","fileEntryId":"771509","resourcePrimKey":"1143008"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="rtSUR84e" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="znfj" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Tollway Honored for Work on Central Tri-State Project]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="12nSD4ex" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="fkkt" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>An Illinois Tollway planner is being honored for her leadership in creating the master plan for the $4 billion reconstruction of the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294).</p>
<p>Senior Manager of Strategic Planning Aimee Lee received the 2019 Innovative Transportation Solution Award from WTS Greater Chicago in recognition of the work done by her team to plan one of the largest construction projects in Tollway history.</p>
<p>Lee led a diverse team that developed an master plan for the I-294 project under an aggressive, one-year schedule—one of the shortest time frames ever used by the Tollway for a major project. The shorter time frame relied on Lee’s ability to make rapid decision to keep the project moving forward and on schedule.</p>
<p>The WTS award recognizes both the innovation of the planning process and Lee’s role as a project manager in overcoming challenges and also involving women in leadership roles on the project. Five of the eight key managers on the team were women, overseeing utility and right-of-way work, as well as community outreach.</p>
<p>Her team directed the work of four consultant teams whose contracts totaled nearly $100 million. Eight of the 39 firms on the consultant teams were owned by women.</p>
<p>One of the major innovations in the planning process was that it developed a regional, long-term plan for the 22-mile-long Central Tri-State corridor, relying on input from customers, local communities, businesses and other transportation agencies. Incorporating this information into the master plan helped identify the corridor’s long-term needs and develop recommendations to address those issues.</p>
<p>Reconstructing the Central Tri-State Tollway from Balmoral Avenue in Rosemont to 95th Street in Oak Lawn will provide congestion relief, rebuild old pavement and infrastructure to meet current and future transportation demands and address regional needs for improved mobility and access to local communities.</p>
<p>The master plan created for the corridor also provides opportunities to deliver innovations such as SmartRoad with active traffic management and Flex Lanes to accommodate transit, including Pace bus service.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="hkek" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-05-10]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Tollway Honored for Work on Central Tri-State Project
Display date: 2019-05-10
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="eefa" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"KISS-blog_600x250_0519.jpg","name":"KISS-blog_600x250_0519.jpg","width":"","description":"KISS-blog_600x250_0519.jpg","title":"KISS-blog_600x250_0519.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"7d9d4abc-aaa5-41f7-bd0e-77fa4766c48a","fileEntryId":"770433","resourcePrimKey":"1228821","url":"/documents/20184/856369/KISS-blog_600x250_0519.jpg/7d9d4abc-aaa5-41f7-bd0e-77fa4766c48a?t=1592920137212","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="ZZadc20Y" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="dsos" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Keep Your Kids Safe - Visit a 2019 KISS Event]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="Dc2HHeIF" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="eehn" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Nothing is more important than keeping our children safe—that’s why the Illinois Tollway and Illinois State Police District 15 are launching Operation Kid 2019.</p>
<p>Beginning this week, the Tollway and Illinois State Police are hosting 10 free safety events across Northern Illinois to help parents and caregivers protect kids when they’re on the road or out in their communities.</p>
<p>At the Kids Identification and Safety Seat (K.I.S.S.) events, parents can have their children’s safety seats inspected to make sure they’re properly installed.</p>
<p>Child safety seats that are installed correctly save lives and reduce injuries if a crash occurs, but Illinois State Police say that more than 90 percent of the safety seats they inspect aren’t properly installed.</p>
<p>State law requires that all children under age 8 must be secured in a vehicle, so stopping by a K.I.S.S. event for a quick safety seat check will assure parents that their child is properly protected.</p>
<p>Parents also can obtain free kids’ ID cards that can be used to help law enforcement recover a lost or missing child. The cards given to parents will include their child’s photo, hair and eye color, height, weight, race and fingerprints.</p>
<p>Kids will have fun at the K.I.S.S. events, which offer activities that include touch-a-truck displays with Tollway plows, H.E.L.P. trucks and other emergency vehicles, as well as play areas featuring an inflatable slide.</p>
<p>The first K.I.S.S. event is Saturday, May 11, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Promenade Bolingbrook, 631 E. Boughton Road, near the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355).</p>
<p>To see the press release about the event click <a href="/documents/20184/1a840448-b989-41c5-9bd8-a3c28e649d33" target="_blank">here</a>. For a complete list of events click <a href="/about/state-police#Kids" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="gpbp" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-05-06]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Keep Your Kids Safe - Visit a 2019 KISS Event
Display date: 2019-05-06
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="nivk" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"0","groupId":"20184","name":"36310","alt":"KISS-blog_600x250_0519.jpg","title":"KISS-blog_600x250_0519.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"7d9d4abc-aaa5-41f7-bd0e-77fa4766c48a","fileEntryId":"770433","resourcePrimKey":"1143021"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="VRGWZrVb" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="zrfn" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Keep Your Kids Safe - Visit a 2019 KISS Event]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="gJh5X4C7" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="ierx" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Nothing is more important than keeping our children safe—that’s why the Illinois Tollway and Illinois State Police District 15 are launching Operation Kid 2019.</p>
<p>Beginning this week, the Tollway and Illinois State Police are hosting 10 free safety events across Northern Illinois to help parents and caregivers protect kids when they’re on the road or out in their communities.</p>
<p>At the Kids Identification and Safety Seat (K.I.S.S.) events, parents can have their children’s safety seats inspected to make sure they’re properly installed.</p>
<p>Child safety seats that are installed correctly save lives and reduce injuries if a crash occurs, but Illinois State Police say that more than 90 percent of the safety seats they inspect aren’t properly installed.</p>
<p>State law requires that all children under age 8 must be secured in a vehicle, so stopping by a K.I.S.S. event for a quick safety seat check will assure parents that their child is properly protected.</p>
<p>Parents also can obtain free kids’ ID cards that can be used to help law enforcement recover a lost or missing child. The cards given to parents will include their child’s photo, hair and eye color, height, weight, race and fingerprints.</p>
<p>Kids will have fun at the K.I.S.S. events, which offer activities that include touch-a-truck displays with Tollway plows, H.E.L.P. trucks and other emergency vehicles, as well as play areas featuring an inflatable slide.</p>
<p>The first K.I.S.S. event is Saturday, May 11, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Promenade Bolingbrook, 631 E. Boughton Road, near the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355).</p>
<p>To see the press release about the event click <a href="/documents/20184/1a840448-b989-41c5-9bd8-a3c28e649d33" target="_blank">here</a>. For a complete list of events click <a href="/about/state-police#Kids" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="xigs" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-05-06]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Keep Your Kids Safe - Visit a 2019 KISS Event
Display date: 2019-05-06
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="rcfn" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"0","groupId":"20184","name":"36138","alt":"EarthDay-blog_0419.jpg","title":"EarthDay-blog_0419.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"a3f5aa7a-83ac-4081-993c-42d12d4b007c","fileEntryId":"768535","resourcePrimKey":"1228834"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="Z85F4EhC" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="fiea" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Celebrating Earth Day by Sharing Wildflower Seeds]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="Wxgxioz6" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="ntis" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway is celebrating Earth Day today by sharing 10,000 pollinator seed packets with customers that travel throughout the 294-mile Tollway system. The effort is aimed to support of its ongoing pollinator program to restore and create habitat for monarch butterflies and other important pollinators.</p>
<p>While supplies last, the Tollway is distributing seed packets to customers throughout the day through all the ways they interact with their customers. Seeds will be handed out by Tollway H.E.L.P. truck drivers, toll plaza employees, toll collectors, customer service center employees and to customers stopping by the Tollway headquarters in Downers Grove.</p>
<p>The first Earth Day on April 22, 1970, activated 20 million Americans from all walks of life and is widely credited with launching the modern environmental movement. The passage of the landmark Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act and many other groundbreaking environmental laws soon followed. More than 1 billion people now participate in Earth Day activities each year, making it the largest civic observance in the world.</p>
<p>The wildflower seed packets offered by the Tollway include two native flowers: Asclepias tuberosa (butterfly weed) a species of milkweed and Echinacea pallida (the pale purple coneflower) and will cover an area up to 25 square feet. These are drought-tolerant, full-sun species and will provide pollinators with an abundance of nectar throughout the summer.</p>
<p>The Illinois Tollway is committed to balancing the environmental impacts of its roadway projects through its implementation of wetland mitigation landscape projects that have local and regional benefits. The Tollway has adopted a landscape master plan is part of the agency’s goal to plant 58,000 trees, shrubs and native plants on Tollway property as part of its 15-year, $14 billion Move Illinois capital program.</p>
<p>The landscape master plan includes the seeding of native grasses and flowers in keeping with the Tollway’s pollinator program goals. Working with The Conservation Foundation, with input from the Xerces Society, local nurseries and the Illinois Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Tollway developed a unique seed mix for use along Tollway right-of-way. These efforts are part of the agency’s pollinator program to enhance and create habitat for monarch butterflies and other important pollinators along tollway roadsides throughout the 12 counties the Tollway serves.</p>
<p>For customers who may have missed the opportunity to interact with our employees, they still have an opportunity to be mailed a seed packet by “Liking” the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ILTollway/" target="_blank">Illinois Tollway’s official Facebook page</a> and direct messagins us their home address.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/sjindra/photos/a.1383747685257559/1691390577826600" target="_blank">See a Facebook message from Sarah Jindra (WGN)</a><br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/trafficjamjen/status/1120286094787002368" target="_blank">Read a Twitter Message from Jen DeSalvo (WGN)</a><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/RozVaronABC7/videos/vb.554586417892956/630271934105701/" target="_blank">Watch the mention from Roz Varon (ABC7)</a><br />
<a href="https://wbbm780.radio.com/illinois-tollway-earth-day-wildflower-seeds" target="_blank">Read the story on the WBBM News Radio 780AM website</a></p>
<p> </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="fsqo" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-04-22]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Celebrating Earth Day by Sharing Wildflower Seeds
Display date: 2019-04-22
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="bhbx" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"0","groupId":"20184","name":"36138","alt":"EarthDay-blog_0419.jpg","title":"EarthDay-blog_0419.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"a3f5aa7a-83ac-4081-993c-42d12d4b007c","fileEntryId":"768535","resourcePrimKey":"1143034"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="CwVFIwFL" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="asxp" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Celebrating Earth Day by Sharing Wildflower Seeds]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="zP8wH9J3" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="bnxr" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway is celebrating Earth Day today by sharing 10,000 pollinator seed packets with customers that travel throughout the 294-mile Tollway system. The effort is aimed to support of its ongoing pollinator program to restore and create habitat for monarch butterflies and other important pollinators.</p>
<p>While supplies last, the Tollway is distributing seed packets to customers throughout the day through all the ways they interact with their customers. Seeds will be handed out by Tollway H.E.L.P. truck drivers, toll plaza employees, toll collectors, customer service center employees and to customers stopping by the Tollway headquarters in Downers Grove.</p>
<p>The first Earth Day on April 22, 1970, activated 20 million Americans from all walks of life and is widely credited with launching the modern environmental movement. The passage of the landmark Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act and many other groundbreaking environmental laws soon followed. More than 1 billion people now participate in Earth Day activities each year, making it the largest civic observance in the world.</p>
<p>The wildflower seed packets offered by the Tollway include two native flowers: Asclepias tuberosa (butterfly weed) a species of milkweed and Echinacea pallida (the pale purple coneflower) and will cover an area up to 25 square feet. These are drought-tolerant, full-sun species and will provide pollinators with an abundance of nectar throughout the summer.</p>
<p>The Illinois Tollway is committed to balancing the environmental impacts of its roadway projects through its implementation of wetland mitigation landscape projects that have local and regional benefits. The Tollway has adopted a landscape master plan is part of the agency’s goal to plant 58,000 trees, shrubs and native plants on Tollway property as part of its 15-year, $14 billion Move Illinois capital program.</p>
<p>The landscape master plan includes the seeding of native grasses and flowers in keeping with the Tollway’s pollinator program goals. Working with The Conservation Foundation, with input from the Xerces Society, local nurseries and the Illinois Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Tollway developed a unique seed mix for use along Tollway right-of-way. These efforts are part of the agency’s pollinator program to enhance and create habitat for monarch butterflies and other important pollinators along tollway roadsides throughout the 12 counties the Tollway serves.</p>
<p>For customers who may have missed the opportunity to interact with our employees, they still have an opportunity to be mailed a seed packet by “Liking” the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ILTollway/" target="_blank">Illinois Tollway’s official Facebook page</a> and direct messagins us their home address.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/sjindra/photos/a.1383747685257559/1691390577826600" target="_blank">See a Facebook message from Sarah Jindra (WGN)</a><br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/trafficjamjen/status/1120286094787002368" target="_blank">Read a Twitter Message from Jen DeSalvo (WGN)</a><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/RozVaronABC7/videos/vb.554586417892956/630271934105701/" target="_blank">Watch the mention from Roz Varon (ABC7)</a><br />
<a href="https://wbbm780.radio.com/illinois-tollway-earth-day-wildflower-seeds" target="_blank">Read the story on the WBBM News Radio 780AM website</a></p>
<p> </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="hxlr" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-04-22]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Celebrating Earth Day by Sharing Wildflower Seeds
Display date: 2019-04-22
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="gbax" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"30-MarchTweet_Twitter_KishwaukeeRiverBridge_Jointless_Twitter.jpg","name":"30-MarchTweet_Twitter_KishwaukeeRiverBridge_Jointless_Twitter.jpg","width":"","description":"30-MarchTweet_Twitter_KishwaukeeRiverBridge_Jointless_Twitter.jpg","title":"30-MarchTweet_Twitter_KishwaukeeRiverBridge_Jointless_Twitter.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"eb81a060-fb7d-45c4-bcdf-3279d5b2a4b0","fileEntryId":"767017","resourcePrimKey":"1228847","url":"/documents/20184/765907/30-MarchTweet_Twitter_KishwaukeeRiverBridge_Jointless_Twitter.jpg/eb81a060-fb7d-45c4-bcdf-3279d5b2a4b0?t=1555522413464","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="qfdhyyGc" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="epuz" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA["Waze" of the future at Illinois Tollway]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="TEvCz7Fh" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="onuc" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>How do you plan a trip or figure out your commute time? For most people, these tasks are increasingly aided by technology. Gone are the days of plotting the family road trip on an atlas; Mapquest and cellphones changed all that, playing an ever-increasing role in our lives and our travels.</p>
<p>Enter Waze, and the Illinois Tollway’s newest endeavor to deliver traffic incident information directly to the customers. Based on technology developed to deliver real-time traffic incident data to Twitter, the Tollway is now pushing this same data and the location of its HELP trucks assisting customers directly to the Waze app through the Waze Connected Citizens Program.</p>
<p>This data-sharing partnership means Tollway drivers who use Waze can get advance warnings on crashes, stopped vehicles, potholes and debris on our roadways. It also gives the Illinois Tollway access to the gigantic pool of data collected unanimously by Waze users to respond faster to incidents.</p>
<p>Joining the Waze Connected Citizens Program is another step by the Tollway to use evolving technology to increase safety and deliver travel improvements for our 1.6 million daily drivers.</p>
<p>You can read about our new Waze partnership in the <a href="https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-biz-illinois-tollway-waze-partnership-20190412-story.html" target="_blank">Chicago Tribune</a> or in the Illinois Tollway’s official <a href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/729049/20190415+-+Illinois+Tollway+and+Waze+Join+Forces+to+Provide+Greater+Traffic+and+Roadway+Data+to+Drivers/15e44f4f-d232-4379-a50d-8ff063aad74f?version=1.0" target="_blank">news release</a>.</p>
<p>The Tollway is one of about 900 city, state, county government agencies, nonprofits and first responders to join the Waze Connected Citizens Program, which grows with every driver and data point it receives, providing more information to drivers to allow them to avoid road closures, traffic incidents and congestion. More information about the Waze Connected Citizens Program can be obtained by visiting <a href="https://www.waze.com/ccp" target="_blank">waze.com/ccp</a>.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="kqge" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-04-17]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
"Waze" of the future at Illinois Tollway
Display date: 2019-04-17
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="ehop" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"0","groupId":"20184","name":"36075","alt":"30-MarchTweet_Twitter_KishwaukeeRiverBridge_Jointless_Twitter.jpg","title":"30-MarchTweet_Twitter_KishwaukeeRiverBridge_Jointless_Twitter.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"eb81a060-fb7d-45c4-bcdf-3279d5b2a4b0","fileEntryId":"767017","resourcePrimKey":"1143047"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="lPXo40I1" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="kcno" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA["Waze" of the future at Illinois Tollway]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="SH9ZFchA" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="hbrp" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>How do you plan a trip or figure out your commute time? For most people, these tasks are increasingly aided by technology. Gone are the days of plotting the family road trip on an atlas; Mapquest and cellphones changed all that, playing an ever-increasing role in our lives and our travels.</p>
<p>Enter Waze, and the Illinois Tollway’s newest endeavor to deliver traffic incident information directly to the customers. Based on technology developed to deliver real-time traffic incident data to Twitter, the Tollway is now pushing this same data and the location of its HELP trucks assisting customers directly to the Waze app through the Waze Connected Citizens Program.</p>
<p>This data-sharing partnership means Tollway drivers who use Waze can get advance warnings on crashes, stopped vehicles, potholes and debris on our roadways. It also gives the Illinois Tollway access to the gigantic pool of data collected unanimously by Waze users to respond faster to incidents.</p>
<p>Joining the Waze Connected Citizens Program is another step by the Tollway to use evolving technology to increase safety and deliver travel improvements for our 1.6 million daily drivers.</p>
<p>You can read about our new Waze partnership in the <a href="https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-biz-illinois-tollway-waze-partnership-20190412-story.html" target="_blank">Chicago Tribune</a> or in the Illinois Tollway’s official <a href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/729049/20190415+-+Illinois+Tollway+and+Waze+Join+Forces+to+Provide+Greater+Traffic+and+Roadway+Data+to+Drivers/15e44f4f-d232-4379-a50d-8ff063aad74f?version=1.0" target="_blank">news release</a>.</p>
<p>The Tollway is one of about 900 city, state, county government agencies, nonprofits and first responders to join the Waze Connected Citizens Program, which grows with every driver and data point it receives, providing more information to drivers to allow them to avoid road closures, traffic incidents and congestion. More information about the Waze Connected Citizens Program can be obtained by visiting <a href="https://www.waze.com/ccp" target="_blank">waze.com/ccp</a>.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="fdko" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-04-17]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
"Waze" of the future at Illinois Tollway
Display date: 2019-04-17
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="lpev" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Slow edited.png","name":"Slow edited.png","width":"","description":"Slow edited.png","title":"Slow edited.png","type":"journal","uuid":"a132285e-215d-4663-8b11-30cbc6ca3db4","fileEntryId":"765962","resourcePrimKey":"1228860","url":"/documents/20184/765907/Slow%20edited.png/a132285e-215d-4663-8b11-30cbc6ca3db4?t=1555092621203","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="ekgygq9u" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="ocph" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Work Zone Awareness Week: Drive Like You Work Here]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="IRFLQapE" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="qmbr" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p><img alt="Join us for National Work Zone Awareness Week, April 8-12" src="/documents/20184/764150/BlogBanner_1200x150-orange-01.png/68fe7883-7dde-492c-be31-8a6f7f91cf74?t=1554748946629" /></p>
<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width:400px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/boUOOtcqfBs?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h2>Please join us in observing National Work Zone Awareness Week.</h2>
<p>Keeping our roadways safe for our workers, drivers and passengers is our number one priority, and we need your help. Transportation and safety organizations, agencies and individuals from across the country are coming together to support <a href="http://www.nwzaw.org/" target="_blank">National Work Zone Awareness Week</a> bringing attention to motorist and worker safety in work zones.</p>
<p><strong>This year's campaign, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ILTollway/" target="_blank">"Drive Like You Work Here"</a>, reminds drivers to use extra caution in work zones to keep everyone safe.</strong></p>
<p>The Tollway will be hosting a series of events throughout the week recognizing and advocating for greater awareness and safer driving initiatives in our work zones. Our social media will encourage engagement and support for this safety message. Please join us and help promote National Work Zone Awareness Week with your employees, colleagues and friends. Retweet our message or repost on Facebook. Share your photos and stories on social media and tag @ILTollway and #Orange4Safety.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/roadway-safety">> More information on the Illinois Tollway's roadway safety initiatives and campaigns</a></p>
<table align="" border="0" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>
<h2>Spread the word</h2>
</td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><img alt="" src="/documents/20184/764150/Drive-Like-You-Work-Here-Video-Screenshot.png/b6b9639d-06c5-4bd6-ba35-5636a13db3b3?t=1554743507581" /></td>
<td>
<p><strong>Share the Tollway's <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ILTollway/" target="_blank">"Drive Like You Work Here" Video</a></strong><br />
Make a national splash and tag #Orange4Safety or #DriveLikeYouWorkHere.</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><img alt="" src="/documents/20184/764150/Press-Conference-2.png/e5a0dc1d-dce0-455c-8853-76928e149769?t=1554743508484" /></td>
<td>
<p><strong>Watch the Work Zone Safety Press Conference</strong><br />
Follow us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ILTollway/" target="_blank">Facebook </a>Tuesday, April 9, at 10 a.m. for a live stream of the event and share on your social media channels.</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><img alt="" src="/documents/20184/764150/Wear-Orange-Version-2.png/1837052d-e1d2-4b2f-a780-9fd5c27c370d?t=1554748391961" /></td>
<td>
<p><strong>Wear Orange on Wednesday, April 10</strong><br />
Show your support of work zone safety and those affected by work zone related incidents by wearing orange. Share your photos with family and friends and be sure to tag @ILTollway on social media. #Orange4Safety</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><img alt="" src="/documents/20184/764150/Work-Zone-Photo.png/e707ea4d-7590-4dd5-95a9-8dc6b1882949?t=1554743509345" /></td>
<td>
<p><strong>Get Social</strong><br />
Let us know what you are doing to recognize work zone safety!<br />
Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/ILTollway" target="_blank">@ILTollway</a><br />
Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ILTollway/" target="_blank">ILTollway</a><br />
Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/iltollway/" target="_blank">iltollway</a></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="fqpr" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-04-08]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Work Zone Awareness Week: Drive Like You Work Here
Display date: 2019-04-08
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="ylpi" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"0","groupId":"20184","name":"36021","alt":"Slow edited.png","title":"Slow edited.png","type":"journal","uuid":"a132285e-215d-4663-8b11-30cbc6ca3db4","fileEntryId":"765962","resourcePrimKey":"1143060"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="AwHNkGCj" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="fdso" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Work Zone Awareness Week: Drive Like You Work Here]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="mZP8cH8d" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="rlkd" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p><img alt="Join us for National Work Zone Awareness Week, April 8-12" src="/documents/20184/764150/BlogBanner_1200x150-orange-01.png/68fe7883-7dde-492c-be31-8a6f7f91cf74?t=1554748946629" /></p>
<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width:400px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/boUOOtcqfBs?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h2>Please join us in observing National Work Zone Awareness Week.</h2>
<p>Keeping our roadways safe for our workers, drivers and passengers is our number one priority, and we need your help. Transportation and safety organizations, agencies and individuals from across the country are coming together to support <a href="http://www.nwzaw.org/" target="_blank">National Work Zone Awareness Week</a> bringing attention to motorist and worker safety in work zones.</p>
<p><strong>This year's campaign, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ILTollway/" target="_blank">"Drive Like You Work Here"</a>, reminds drivers to use extra caution in work zones to keep everyone safe.</strong></p>
<p>The Tollway will be hosting a series of events throughout the week recognizing and advocating for greater awareness and safer driving initiatives in our work zones. Our social media will encourage engagement and support for this safety message. Please join us and help promote National Work Zone Awareness Week with your employees, colleagues and friends. Retweet our message or repost on Facebook. Share your photos and stories on social media and tag @ILTollway and #Orange4Safety.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/roadway-safety">> More information on the Illinois Tollway's roadway safety initiatives and campaigns</a></p>
<table align="" border="0" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>
<h2>Spread the word</h2>
</td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><img alt="" src="/documents/20184/764150/Drive-Like-You-Work-Here-Video-Screenshot.png/b6b9639d-06c5-4bd6-ba35-5636a13db3b3?t=1554743507581" /></td>
<td>
<p><strong>Share the Tollway's <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ILTollway/" target="_blank">"Drive Like You Work Here" Video</a></strong><br />
Make a national splash and tag #Orange4Safety or #DriveLikeYouWorkHere.</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><img alt="" src="/documents/20184/764150/Press-Conference-2.png/e5a0dc1d-dce0-455c-8853-76928e149769?t=1554743508484" /></td>
<td>
<p><strong>Watch the Work Zone Safety Press Conference</strong><br />
Follow us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ILTollway/" target="_blank">Facebook </a>Tuesday, April 9, at 10 a.m. for a live stream of the event and share on your social media channels.</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><img alt="" src="/documents/20184/764150/Wear-Orange-Version-2.png/1837052d-e1d2-4b2f-a780-9fd5c27c370d?t=1554748391961" /></td>
<td>
<p><strong>Wear Orange on Wednesday, April 10</strong><br />
Show your support of work zone safety and those affected by work zone related incidents by wearing orange. Share your photos with family and friends and be sure to tag @ILTollway on social media. #Orange4Safety</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><img alt="" src="/documents/20184/764150/Work-Zone-Photo.png/e707ea4d-7590-4dd5-95a9-8dc6b1882949?t=1554743509345" /></td>
<td>
<p><strong>Get Social</strong><br />
Let us know what you are doing to recognize work zone safety!<br />
Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/ILTollway" target="_blank">@ILTollway</a><br />
Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ILTollway/" target="_blank">ILTollway</a><br />
Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/iltollway/" target="_blank">iltollway</a></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="mlmk" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-04-08]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Work Zone Awareness Week: Drive Like You Work Here
Display date: 2019-04-08
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="zfvm" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"0","groupId":"20184","name":"36079","alt":"TprEllis_lobby_0319-01.jpg","title":"TprEllis_lobby_0319-01.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"73516954-44bc-487c-a16e-d06e2a3cc92b","fileEntryId":"767107","resourcePrimKey":"1228873"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="ZcXsSdEn" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="jtyu" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Tragic Loss]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="HyFCiqVs" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="bojc" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway Board and all staff members join with the Illinois State Police to mourn the tragic loss of Trooper Gerald Ellis, who died Saturday when he was struck by a wrong-way driver on the Tri-State Tollway (I-294). Trooper Ellis, 36, had completed his work shift and was returning home to his wife and young children when his marked police SUV was hit head-on by another vehicle driving the wrong way in the westbound lanes of I-294.</p>
<p>Trooper Ellis served for 11 years in Illinois State Police District 15, which is the unit that patrols the 294 miles of the Illinois Tollway system to assist and protect our customers and roadway workers. His death comes just two days after the line-of-duty loss of Trooper Brooke Jones-Story, who was struck and killed by a semi tractor-trailer during a traffic stop along U.S. Route 20 in Stephenson County in Illinois State Police District 16. </p>
<p>The Illinois Tollway shares with Illinois State Police a commitment to protecting the drivers, workers and contractors who use our roads—a commitment exemplified by the devoted service Trooper of Ellis and Trooper Jones-Story.</p>
<p>For years, the Illinois Tollway has looked for ways to promote safety on our roadways. In 2017, the Illinois Tollway in conjunction with the Illinois State Police and Illinois Secretary of State launched the <a href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/givethemdistance">Give Them Distance</a> campaign to call attention to state law requiring drivers to slow down and move over when approaching any vehicle stopped along the road. In 2012, the Tollway joined the Illinois Department of Transportation in launching the Embrace the Orange campaign, committed to getting the word out that work zone safety affects drivers as well as construction workers. </p>
<p>In response to the state’s ban on cell phone use by driving, the Tollway has also long been on the forefront of the “<a href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/travel-information/drop-it-and-drive">Drop it and Drive</a>” campaign. This week, the Tollway will again be joining the Illinois Department of Transportation in promoting the national campaign, “<a href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/projects/work-zone-safety">Drive Like You Work Here</a>,” aimed and trying to get motorists to rethink their perception of the work zone and roadways as a whole. </p>
<p>For this message, in Illinois there is no better time. </p>
<p>In the dark shadow of a string of tragic losses, family members of ISP troopers have started their own campaign on social media, “<a href="https://www.facebook.com/moveoverproject/" target="_blank">The Move Over Project</a>.” If you haven’t seen it, you should. It too looks to make motorists rethink their choices on the roadways. On social media, families are sharing personal stories and photos of their loved ones to make it clear to drivers what is at stake if they fail to follow the law and don’t give emergency responders the room they need to safely do their work along the roads.</p>
<p>The deadly crashes that took the lives of Trooper Ellis and Trooper Jones-Story were completely avoidable and preventable. Yet all the campaigns in the world can’t replace the responsibility of the driver behind the wheel. The only way to prevent similar crashes is for drivers to focus on driving and follow the laws. </p>
<p>Donations may be made to the Ellis family and the Jones-Story family by visiting the Illinois State Police Heritage Foundation website at <a href="http://www.isphf.org/donations">www.isphf.org/donations</a>, or via U.S. mail to P.O.Box 8169, Springfield, IL, 62791. On the website, please note in the comments section that your donation is being made to the Trooper Ellis Memorial Fund or the Trooper Jones-Story Memorial Fund.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="atsx" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-04-05]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Tragic Loss
Display date: 2019-04-05
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="duyb" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"0","groupId":"20184","name":"36079","alt":"TprEllis_lobby_0319-01.jpg","title":"TprEllis_lobby_0319-01.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"73516954-44bc-487c-a16e-d06e2a3cc92b","fileEntryId":"767107","resourcePrimKey":"1143073"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="rmsCARNT" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="hmml" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Tragic Loss]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="TFcMcKrE" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="ullz" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway Board and all staff members join with the Illinois State Police to mourn the tragic loss of Trooper Gerald Ellis, who died Saturday when he was struck by a wrong-way driver on the Tri-State Tollway (I-294). Trooper Ellis, 36, had completed his work shift and was returning home to his wife and young children when his marked police SUV was hit head-on by another vehicle driving the wrong way in the westbound lanes of I-294.</p>
<p>Trooper Ellis served for 11 years in Illinois State Police District 15, which is the unit that patrols the 294 miles of the Illinois Tollway system to assist and protect our customers and roadway workers. His death comes just two days after the line-of-duty loss of Trooper Brooke Jones-Story, who was struck and killed by a semi tractor-trailer during a traffic stop along U.S. Route 20 in Stephenson County in Illinois State Police District 16. </p>
<p>The Illinois Tollway shares with Illinois State Police a commitment to protecting the drivers, workers and contractors who use our roads—a commitment exemplified by the devoted service Trooper of Ellis and Trooper Jones-Story.</p>
<p>For years, the Illinois Tollway has looked for ways to promote safety on our roadways. In 2017, the Illinois Tollway in conjunction with the Illinois State Police and Illinois Secretary of State launched the <a href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/givethemdistance">Give Them Distance</a> campaign to call attention to state law requiring drivers to slow down and move over when approaching any vehicle stopped along the road. In 2012, the Tollway joined the Illinois Department of Transportation in launching the Embrace the Orange campaign, committed to getting the word out that work zone safety affects drivers as well as construction workers. </p>
<p>In response to the state’s ban on cell phone use by driving, the Tollway has also long been on the forefront of the “<a href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/travel-information/drop-it-and-drive">Drop it and Drive</a>” campaign. This week, the Tollway will again be joining the Illinois Department of Transportation in promoting the national campaign, “<a href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/projects/work-zone-safety">Drive Like You Work Here</a>,” aimed and trying to get motorists to rethink their perception of the work zone and roadways as a whole. </p>
<p>For this message, in Illinois there is no better time. </p>
<p>In the dark shadow of a string of tragic losses, family members of ISP troopers have started their own campaign on social media, “<a href="https://www.facebook.com/moveoverproject/" target="_blank">The Move Over Project</a>.” If you haven’t seen it, you should. It too looks to make motorists rethink their choices on the roadways. On social media, families are sharing personal stories and photos of their loved ones to make it clear to drivers what is at stake if they fail to follow the law and don’t give emergency responders the room they need to safely do their work along the roads.</p>
<p>The deadly crashes that took the lives of Trooper Ellis and Trooper Jones-Story were completely avoidable and preventable. Yet all the campaigns in the world can’t replace the responsibility of the driver behind the wheel. The only way to prevent similar crashes is for drivers to focus on driving and follow the laws. </p>
<p>Donations may be made to the Ellis family and the Jones-Story family by visiting the Illinois State Police Heritage Foundation website at <a href="http://www.isphf.org/donations">www.isphf.org/donations</a>, or via U.S. mail to P.O.Box 8169, Springfield, IL, 62791. On the website, please note in the comments section that your donation is being made to the Trooper Ellis Memorial Fund or the Trooper Jones-Story Memorial Fund.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="boup" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-04-05]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Tragic Loss
Display date: 2019-04-05
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="nntb" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Twitter_D5A0926_600x300.jpg","name":"Twitter_D5A0926_600x300.jpg","width":"","description":"Twitter_D5A0926_600x300.jpg","title":"Twitter_D5A0926_600x300.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"42bf93d1-89bc-4d43-a216-19d8c2f677a7","fileEntryId":"767325","resourcePrimKey":"1228886","url":"/documents/20184/765907/Twitter_D5A0926_600x300.jpg/42bf93d1-89bc-4d43-a216-19d8c2f677a7?t=1555516768582","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="M6NXwWUK" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="yedn" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Slow Down. Save Lives.]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="OgXwMy5N" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="iubn" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Gov. JB Pritzker and Illinois State Police <a href="https://www2.illinois.gov/Pages/news-item.aspx?ReleaseID=19829" target="_blank">are reminding drivers to slow down and take other precautions</a> to protect state troopers and emergency responders stopped along roadways to aid and assist motorists. </p>
<p>So far this year, 14 Illinois State Police troopers have been struck by vehicles when they were responding to crashes and other emergency situations, <a href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/media-center/inside-the-tollway/-/blogs/tragic-loss-of-an-illinois-state-police-district-15-trooper">including Trooper Christopher Lambert</a>, who was killed on January 12 when he was hit by a car while stopped along the Tri-State Tollway (I-294) to assist with a traffic crash.</p>
<p>Trooper Lambert’s loss was personal to us—he was assigned to District 15, which patrols and protects drivers on the 294-mile Illinois Tollway system.</p>
<p>Safety is the Tollway’s highest priority and that includes doing all we can to protect the men and women of the Illinois State Police, along with other emergency responders and our own roadway operations and maintenance workers who are on the roads every day to assist our customers. </p>
<p>And with construction season beginning, more workers will be out rebuilding and improving our roadways to provide better, safer trips for our customers.</p>
<p>The Tollway over the years has continued to emphasize safety, warning drivers to avoid distracted driving and put down their cellphones by insisting they <a href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/travel-information/drop-it-and-drive">Drop It and Drive</a>, reminding them to <a href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/projects/work-zone-safety">See Orange, Slow Down</a> when driving in work zones and, most recently, urging drivers to <a href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/givethemdistance">Give Them Distance</a> when approaching all stopped vehicles that have their hazard lights flashing.</p>
<p>We can’t stress enough the importance of slowing down and moving over when you see ANY vehicle on the shoulder with flashing lights. </p>
<p>Our state troopers and roadway maintenance teams are out there to make the roads safer for you. Please show them the same courtesy and <a href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/givethemdistance">#GiveThemDistance</a>.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="kuuv" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-03-26]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Slow Down. Save Lives.
Display date: 2019-03-26
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="qilh" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"0","groupId":"20184","name":"36096","alt":"Twitter_D5A0926_600x300.jpg","title":"Twitter_D5A0926_600x300.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"42bf93d1-89bc-4d43-a216-19d8c2f677a7","fileEntryId":"767325","resourcePrimKey":"1143086"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="tGCLUslP" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="kyab" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Slow Down. Save Lives.]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="0MIltrZ1" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="hyrf" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Gov. JB Pritzker and Illinois State Police <a href="https://www2.illinois.gov/Pages/news-item.aspx?ReleaseID=19829" target="_blank">are reminding drivers to slow down and take other precautions</a> to protect state troopers and emergency responders stopped along roadways to aid and assist motorists. </p>
<p>So far this year, 14 Illinois State Police troopers have been struck by vehicles when they were responding to crashes and other emergency situations, <a href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/media-center/inside-the-tollway/-/blogs/tragic-loss-of-an-illinois-state-police-district-15-trooper">including Trooper Christopher Lambert</a>, who was killed on January 12 when he was hit by a car while stopped along the Tri-State Tollway (I-294) to assist with a traffic crash.</p>
<p>Trooper Lambert’s loss was personal to us—he was assigned to District 15, which patrols and protects drivers on the 294-mile Illinois Tollway system.</p>
<p>Safety is the Tollway’s highest priority and that includes doing all we can to protect the men and women of the Illinois State Police, along with other emergency responders and our own roadway operations and maintenance workers who are on the roads every day to assist our customers. </p>
<p>And with construction season beginning, more workers will be out rebuilding and improving our roadways to provide better, safer trips for our customers.</p>
<p>The Tollway over the years has continued to emphasize safety, warning drivers to avoid distracted driving and put down their cellphones by insisting they <a href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/travel-information/drop-it-and-drive">Drop It and Drive</a>, reminding them to <a href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/projects/work-zone-safety">See Orange, Slow Down</a> when driving in work zones and, most recently, urging drivers to <a href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/givethemdistance">Give Them Distance</a> when approaching all stopped vehicles that have their hazard lights flashing.</p>
<p>We can’t stress enough the importance of slowing down and moving over when you see ANY vehicle on the shoulder with flashing lights. </p>
<p>Our state troopers and roadway maintenance teams are out there to make the roads safer for you. Please show them the same courtesy and <a href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/givethemdistance">#GiveThemDistance</a>.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="gtsz" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-03-26]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Slow Down. Save Lives.
Display date: 2019-03-26
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="cjdt" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"0","groupId":"20184","name":"36082","alt":"Paul With Award.jpg","title":"Paul With Award.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"70214d5a-fd14-446a-af18-117cfdfb9e0e","fileEntryId":"767165","resourcePrimKey":"1228899"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="uuqoRzZW" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="vnir" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[National Outstanding Project and Leader Award Winner]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="eklzxDyz" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="imli" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway builds and operates great roads because it has great engineers—and the awards they’ve won prove it.</p>
<p>Chief Engineering Officer Paul Kovacs is the latest Tollway engineer to be honored, receiving the 2019 national <a href="https://www.asce.org/opal/" target="_blank">Outstanding Projects and Leaders (OPAL) Award</a> in the government category presented by the <a href="https://www.asce.org/about_asce/" target="_blank">American Society of Civil Engineers</a>. </p>
<p>Kovacs, the longest serving chief engineering officer in Tollway history, is being recognized for his career accomplishments, which include managing the agency’s 15-year, $14 billion <a href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/projects/capital-programs"><em>Move Illinois</em> capital program</a>, which is expanding, rebuilding and reshaping the Tollway system. </p>
<p>Launched in 2012, the first seven years of Move Illinois are on schedule and within budget, delivering the new Illinois Route 390 Tollway, a widened and rebuilt Jane Addams Memorial Tollway with a new SmartRoad corridor, as well as opening a new interchange connecting the Tri-State Tollway (I-294) to I-57.</p>
<p>The award honors Kovacs for his success in integrating innovation and new technology into roadway projects and for anticipating the future needs of Tollway drivers as well as for creating more opportunities for small, diverse and veteran-owned firms to participate on Tollway projects.</p>
<p>He joined the Tollway in 1999 as a senior project engineer managing Tollway bridge, roadway and interchange projects and later oversaw the systemwide work to remove conventional toll booths and install next-generation open road tolling plazas. He became chief engineering officer in 2007, managing all design and construction operations on the Tollway’s 294-mile system that serves more than 1.6 million daily users.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="nqdp" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-03-14]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
National Outstanding Project and Leader Award Winner
Display date: 2019-03-14
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="exat" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"0","groupId":"20184","name":"36082","alt":"Paul With Award.jpg","title":"Paul With Award.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"70214d5a-fd14-446a-af18-117cfdfb9e0e","fileEntryId":"767165","resourcePrimKey":"1143099"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="YCuV79Ao" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="arfh" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[National Outstanding Project and Leader Award Winner]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="TDtPefYa" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="jrql" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway builds and operates great roads because it has great engineers—and the awards they’ve won prove it.</p>
<p>Chief Engineering Officer Paul Kovacs is the latest Tollway engineer to be honored, receiving the 2019 national <a href="https://www.asce.org/opal/" target="_blank">Outstanding Projects and Leaders (OPAL) Award</a> in the government category presented by the <a href="https://www.asce.org/about_asce/" target="_blank">American Society of Civil Engineers</a>. </p>
<p>Kovacs, the longest serving chief engineering officer in Tollway history, is being recognized for his career accomplishments, which include managing the agency’s 15-year, $14 billion <a href="https://www.illinoistollway.com/projects/capital-programs"><em>Move Illinois</em> capital program</a>, which is expanding, rebuilding and reshaping the Tollway system. </p>
<p>Launched in 2012, the first seven years of Move Illinois are on schedule and within budget, delivering the new Illinois Route 390 Tollway, a widened and rebuilt Jane Addams Memorial Tollway with a new SmartRoad corridor, as well as opening a new interchange connecting the Tri-State Tollway (I-294) to I-57.</p>
<p>The award honors Kovacs for his success in integrating innovation and new technology into roadway projects and for anticipating the future needs of Tollway drivers as well as for creating more opportunities for small, diverse and veteran-owned firms to participate on Tollway projects.</p>
<p>He joined the Tollway in 1999 as a senior project engineer managing Tollway bridge, roadway and interchange projects and later oversaw the systemwide work to remove conventional toll booths and install next-generation open road tolling plazas. He became chief engineering officer in 2007, managing all design and construction operations on the Tollway’s 294-mile system that serves more than 1.6 million daily users.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="rlmi" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-03-14]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
National Outstanding Project and Leader Award Winner
Display date: 2019-03-14
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="jmke" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"20180204 plow.jpg","name":"20180204 plow.jpg","width":"","description":"20180204 plow.jpg","title":"20180204 plow.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"9bd5e46e-4d3f-49bf-a720-2c5c370902e9","fileEntryId":"767304","resourcePrimKey":"1228912","url":"/documents/20184/856369/20180204%20plow.jpg/9bd5e46e-4d3f-49bf-a720-2c5c370902e9?t=1592920137030","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="V8nkiLDa" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="xuze" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Stay Safe In The Cold]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="Opl1JMKV" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="mbfp" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway steps up when temperatures fall.</p>
<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="1" style="width:400px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td align="right"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gC76XMJqe5Q" width="560"></iframe></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>The Tollway operates around-the-clock Zero Weather Road Patrols during dangerously cold weather to provide extra protection for stranded drivers.</p>
<p>The 24-hour patrols search for drivers stranded in disabled cars along the Tollway and respond to calls for help that come in to *999 motorist assistance, Illinois Tollway dispatch or Illinois State Police District 15.</p>
<p>Zero Weather patrols can assist drivers who have flat tires, empty fuel tanks and dead batteries, or transport drivers and passengers to a Tollway oasis or maintenance facility until they can obtain service or arrange a tow.The Zero Weather patrols augment other roadside assistance provided on the Tollway by H.E.L.P. trucks and Illinois State Police patrols to more quickly locate and aid stranded drivers when temperatures and wind chills are dangerously low.</p>
<p>Stranded drivers can always dial *999 for roadway assistance.</p>
<p>Drivers can obtain information about winter weather travel tips <a href="/travel-information#Winter">here on our website</a>.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="avde" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-02-15]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Stay Safe In The Cold
Display date: 2019-02-15
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="uhnh" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"0","groupId":"20184","name":"36095","alt":"20180204 plow.jpg","title":"20180204 plow.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"9bd5e46e-4d3f-49bf-a720-2c5c370902e9","fileEntryId":"767304","resourcePrimKey":"1143112"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="N6HNMNfo" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="lalx" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Stay Safe In The Cold]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="soQvzkMe" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="nqht" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The Illinois Tollway steps up when temperatures fall.</p>
<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="1" style="width:400px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td align="right"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gC76XMJqe5Q" width="560"></iframe></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>The Tollway operates around-the-clock Zero Weather Road Patrols during dangerously cold weather to provide extra protection for stranded drivers.</p>
<p>The 24-hour patrols search for drivers stranded in disabled cars along the Tollway and respond to calls for help that come in to *999 motorist assistance, Illinois Tollway dispatch or Illinois State Police District 15.</p>
<p>Zero Weather patrols can assist drivers who have flat tires, empty fuel tanks and dead batteries, or transport drivers and passengers to a Tollway oasis or maintenance facility until they can obtain service or arrange a tow.The Zero Weather patrols augment other roadside assistance provided on the Tollway by H.E.L.P. trucks and Illinois State Police patrols to more quickly locate and aid stranded drivers when temperatures and wind chills are dangerously low.</p>
<p>Stranded drivers can always dial *999 for roadway assistance.</p>
<p>Drivers can obtain information about winter weather travel tips <a href="/travel-information#Winter">here on our website</a>.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="caum" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-02-15]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Stay Safe In The Cold
Display date: 2019-02-15
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="sqst" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"0","groupId":"20184","name":"36094","alt":"Zero Patrol.jpg","title":"Zero Patrol.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"e364767e-9748-4b94-9186-7c7aa2382f98","fileEntryId":"767283","resourcePrimKey":"1228925"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="AH13WplZ" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="iglm" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[WGN Rides Along With Our Zero Patrol]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="3PQwm2OR" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="jfqq" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<table border="0" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="1" style="width:600px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Check out last week’s WGN news story highlighting our Zero Patrol crews out helping motorists on the Illinois Tollway. They’re out there 24/7 during the extreme cold.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" src="//cdn2.trb.tv/iframe.html?ec=1vMTk1aDE6ZPQizZ-CgeSN5xaeXoU7Sm&pbid=5d88305d0c6c47eabc12e43063a41c69&pcode=trOTQyOtBWYGl88XLal1pDam4Q-4" width="640"></iframe></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p> </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="zcpa" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-01-29]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
WGN Rides Along With Our Zero Patrol
Display date: 2019-01-29
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="cpyj" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"0","groupId":"20184","name":"36094","alt":"Zero Patrol.jpg","title":"Zero Patrol.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"e364767e-9748-4b94-9186-7c7aa2382f98","fileEntryId":"767283","resourcePrimKey":"1143125"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="x2VbxVMb" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="srrr" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[WGN Rides Along With Our Zero Patrol]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="7tGeWXTt" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="rddb" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<table border="0" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="1" style="width:600px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Check out last week’s WGN news story highlighting our Zero Patrol crews out helping motorists on the Illinois Tollway. They’re out there 24/7 during the extreme cold.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" src="//cdn2.trb.tv/iframe.html?ec=1vMTk1aDE6ZPQizZ-CgeSN5xaeXoU7Sm&pbid=5d88305d0c6c47eabc12e43063a41c69&pcode=trOTQyOtBWYGl88XLal1pDam4Q-4" width="640"></iframe></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p> </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="hgbd" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-01-29]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
WGN Rides Along With Our Zero Patrol
Display date: 2019-01-29
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="ehqs" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Hinsdale_Oasis_IllinoisTollway-5900.jpg","name":"Hinsdale_Oasis_IllinoisTollway-5900.jpg","width":"","description":"Hinsdale_Oasis_IllinoisTollway-5900.jpg","title":"Hinsdale_Oasis_IllinoisTollway-5900.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"9896fc03-600a-486e-98c4-911ab2269083","fileEntryId":"767199","resourcePrimKey":"1228938","url":"/documents/20184/765907/Hinsdale_Oasis_IllinoisTollway-5900.jpg/9896fc03-600a-486e-98c4-911ab2269083?t=1555516767771","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="MMadic4m" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="hpif" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Tollway Oases Being Used As Warming Centers]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="ct86y69V" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="zsnc" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>As temperatures drop dangerously low, the Illinois Tollway is opening the doors of its six oases to everyone who needs a place to warm up.</p>
<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="1" style="width:400px;">
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<td align="right"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gC76XMJqe5Q" width="560"></iframe></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>The oases are open around the clock and most have pavilions that offer food, beverage and retail options. All oases have 7-Eleven stores and fuel stations where drivers can top off their tanks or check their vehicles.</p>
<p>Drivers using the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80) can stop at any of four oases: Lake Forest, O’Hare, Hinsdale and Chicago Southland Lincoln in South Holland. There is an oasis on the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88) in DeKalb and on the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) in Belvidere.</p>
<p>The Tollway also provides extra help for stranded drivers during the extreme cold weather, operating 24-hour Zero Weather Road Patrols to more quickly locate and assist drivers whose cars have become disabled.</p>
<p>The patrols search for stranded drivers along the Tollway and respond to calls for help that come in to *999 motorist assistance, Illinois Tollway dispatch or Illinois State Police District 15.</p>
<p>Zero Weather patrols can assist drivers who have flat tires, empty fuel tanks and dead batteries, or transport drivers and passengers to a Tollway oasis or maintenance facility until they can obtain service or arrange a tow. The Zero Weather patrols operate when temperatures and wind chills fall below zero and augment other roadside assistance provided on the Tollway by H.E.L.P. trucks and Illinois State Police patrols.</p>
<p>Stranded drivers can always dial *999 for roadway assistance.</p>
<p>For more information on cold weather safety tips go to <a href="https://youtu.be/gC76XMJqe5Q">https://youtu.be/gC76XMJqe5Q</a></p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="kajh" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-01-28]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Tollway Oases Being Used As Warming Centers
Display date: 2019-01-28
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="vjzd" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"0","groupId":"20184","name":"36090","alt":"Hinsdale_Oasis_IllinoisTollway-5900.jpg","title":"Hinsdale_Oasis_IllinoisTollway-5900.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"9896fc03-600a-486e-98c4-911ab2269083","fileEntryId":"767199","resourcePrimKey":"1143138"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="wjI8xc0e" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="gpds" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Tollway Oases Being Used As Warming Centers]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="MmwkgJZv" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="uidu" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>As temperatures drop dangerously low, the Illinois Tollway is opening the doors of its six oases to everyone who needs a place to warm up.</p>
<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="1" style="width:400px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td align="right"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gC76XMJqe5Q" width="560"></iframe></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>The oases are open around the clock and most have pavilions that offer food, beverage and retail options. All oases have 7-Eleven stores and fuel stations where drivers can top off their tanks or check their vehicles.</p>
<p>Drivers using the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80) can stop at any of four oases: Lake Forest, O’Hare, Hinsdale and Chicago Southland Lincoln in South Holland. There is an oasis on the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88) in DeKalb and on the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) in Belvidere.</p>
<p>The Tollway also provides extra help for stranded drivers during the extreme cold weather, operating 24-hour Zero Weather Road Patrols to more quickly locate and assist drivers whose cars have become disabled.</p>
<p>The patrols search for stranded drivers along the Tollway and respond to calls for help that come in to *999 motorist assistance, Illinois Tollway dispatch or Illinois State Police District 15.</p>
<p>Zero Weather patrols can assist drivers who have flat tires, empty fuel tanks and dead batteries, or transport drivers and passengers to a Tollway oasis or maintenance facility until they can obtain service or arrange a tow. The Zero Weather patrols operate when temperatures and wind chills fall below zero and augment other roadside assistance provided on the Tollway by H.E.L.P. trucks and Illinois State Police patrols.</p>
<p>Stranded drivers can always dial *999 for roadway assistance.</p>
<p>For more information on cold weather safety tips go to <a href="https://youtu.be/gC76XMJqe5Q">https://youtu.be/gC76XMJqe5Q</a></p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="ebju" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-01-28]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Tollway Oases Being Used As Warming Centers
Display date: 2019-01-28
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="njml" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Lambert DMS 2.jpg","name":"Lambert DMS 2.jpg","width":"","description":"Lambert DMS 2.jpg","title":"Lambert DMS 2.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"a7b71819-31bf-43db-ae23-4e51efeffa38","fileEntryId":"767220","resourcePrimKey":"1228951","url":"/documents/20184/765907/Lambert%20DMS%202.jpg/a7b71819-31bf-43db-ae23-4e51efeffa38?t=1555516768015","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="5ZTr8TMN" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="dcfe" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Tragic Loss of an Illinois State Police District 15 Trooper]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="27lUnmzn" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="jzjv" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<img alt="Honoring Trooper Lambert" src="/documents/20184/733502/Tpr-Lambert-flags-sepia_0119.jpg/6797d259-3258-4214-a731-ecdeb89dfeda?t=1547748033538" style="float: right; margin: 15px; height: 175px; width: 350px;" />
<p>The Illinois Tollway staff was devastated this weekend when Illinois State Police District 15 Trooper Christopher Lambert was struck by a vehicle while assisting with a three-vehicle crash on the Tri-State Tollway (I-294). ISP District 15 is the dedicated state police unit assigned to patrol the 294-miles of the Illinois Tollway system, and each and every day they risk their lives to keep our customers safe. Trooper Lambert was on his way home when he responded to the crash, positioned his vehicle to help divert traffic and was struck by a passing vehicle.</p>
<p>Later that evening, a teen motorist was also killed when his vehicle collided with an Illinois Tollway snowplow stopped to divert traffic away from yet another accident. Each instance occurred during the weekend snowstorm when ISP troopers and a full callout of Tollway plow crews were on our roads to keep our roadways clear and safe.</p>
<p>The Illinois Tollway’s highest priority is protecting the safety of our customers, workers and contractors, a commitment we share with Illinois State Police District 15. Regardless of the weather, the Tollway urges customers to help us keep our roadways safe by taking extra precautions during winter storms—most importantly by slowing down and increasing your distance from the vehicles ahead. State law requires drivers to slow down and move over when approaching any vehicle stopped along a road that has its hazard lights activated—not just emergency vehicles like police cars or snowplows—but any car or truck. Drivers should avoiding sudden lane changes, use their turn signals and always put down their handheld cell phones, which can dangerously distract drivers and are illegal to use in Illinois.</p>
<p>It’s worth remembering that taking these simple steps can save lives.</p>
<p>Governor JB Pritzker has called for flags to fly at half-staff in honor of Trooper Lambert from Wednesday through Friday. Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 17, 2019 from 2:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington. Law Enforcement walk-through will begin at 6:00 p.m.</p>
<p>Donations may be made to the Lambert family by visiting the Illinois State Police Heritage Foundation website at <a href="http://www.isphf.org/donations" target="_blank">www.isphf.org/donations</a>, or via U.S. mail to P.O. Box 8168, Springfield, Illinois 62791. On the website please ensure to notate in the comments section your donation is being made to the Trooper Lambert Memorial Fund.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="kxmh" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-01-16]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Tragic Loss of an Illinois State Police District 15 Trooper
Display date: 2019-01-16
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<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="dmsq" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"0","groupId":"20184","name":"36091","alt":"Lambert DMS 2.jpg","title":"Lambert DMS 2.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"a7b71819-31bf-43db-ae23-4e51efeffa38","fileEntryId":"767220","resourcePrimKey":"1143151"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="NrCONWM9" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="yzuh" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Tragic Loss of an Illinois State Police District 15 Trooper]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="GtLxFkzb" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="neyp" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<img alt="Honoring Trooper Lambert" src="/documents/20184/733502/Tpr-Lambert-flags-sepia_0119.jpg/6797d259-3258-4214-a731-ecdeb89dfeda?t=1547748033538" style="float: right; margin: 15px; height: 175px; width: 350px;" />
<p>The Illinois Tollway staff was devastated this weekend when Illinois State Police District 15 Trooper Christopher Lambert was struck by a vehicle while assisting with a three-vehicle crash on the Tri-State Tollway (I-294). ISP District 15 is the dedicated state police unit assigned to patrol the 294-miles of the Illinois Tollway system, and each and every day they risk their lives to keep our customers safe. Trooper Lambert was on his way home when he responded to the crash, positioned his vehicle to help divert traffic and was struck by a passing vehicle.</p>
<p>Later that evening, a teen motorist was also killed when his vehicle collided with an Illinois Tollway snowplow stopped to divert traffic away from yet another accident. Each instance occurred during the weekend snowstorm when ISP troopers and a full callout of Tollway plow crews were on our roads to keep our roadways clear and safe.</p>
<p>The Illinois Tollway’s highest priority is protecting the safety of our customers, workers and contractors, a commitment we share with Illinois State Police District 15. Regardless of the weather, the Tollway urges customers to help us keep our roadways safe by taking extra precautions during winter storms—most importantly by slowing down and increasing your distance from the vehicles ahead. State law requires drivers to slow down and move over when approaching any vehicle stopped along a road that has its hazard lights activated—not just emergency vehicles like police cars or snowplows—but any car or truck. Drivers should avoiding sudden lane changes, use their turn signals and always put down their handheld cell phones, which can dangerously distract drivers and are illegal to use in Illinois.</p>
<p>It’s worth remembering that taking these simple steps can save lives.</p>
<p>Governor JB Pritzker has called for flags to fly at half-staff in honor of Trooper Lambert from Wednesday through Friday. Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 17, 2019 from 2:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington. Law Enforcement walk-through will begin at 6:00 p.m.</p>
<p>Donations may be made to the Lambert family by visiting the Illinois State Police Heritage Foundation website at <a href="http://www.isphf.org/donations" target="_blank">www.isphf.org/donations</a>, or via U.S. mail to P.O. Box 8168, Springfield, Illinois 62791. On the website please ensure to notate in the comments section your donation is being made to the Trooper Lambert Memorial Fund.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="vopa" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-01-16]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Tragic Loss of an Illinois State Police District 15 Trooper
Display date: 2019-01-16
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="amcp" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"0","groupId":"20184","name":"36093","alt":"2017_Nov28_DidYouKnow_506x253.jpg","title":"2017_Nov28_DidYouKnow_506x253.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"fa600535-15be-415d-8375-4c2df84bf0fc","fileEntryId":"767262","resourcePrimKey":"1228964"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="ldLIOEd2" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="mbqt" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Looking to the Future of Transportation]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="GriW6VgW" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="ypox" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<img alt="" src="/documents/20184/733502/InRoadCharging_shutterstock_404514916_small.jpg/38294075-c13d-410f-87a0-cf56a5a4ca98?t=1546971586959" style="float: right; margin: 15px;" />
<p>Last year, the Illinois Tollway began exploring the possibility of installing in-road charging equipment in the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) so drivers can recharge their electric cars just by traveling over the pavement.</p>
<p>It’s an innovative idea—and one that the Chicago Tribune said in a recent editorial is worth considering as the Tollway moves to incorporate new transportation technology into its 15-year, $14 billion Move Illinois capital program.</p>
<p>Here’s an excerpt -</p>
<p><em>The Tollway is looking to a future that is expected to include more electric vehicles (EVs) as it begins its $4 billion reconstruction and widening of 22 miles of I-294 between Balmoral Avenue in Rosemont and 95th Street in Oak Lawn.</em></p>
<p><em>While drivers piloting electric vehicles now may experience “range anxiety” caused by limited battery capacity, the Tollway is investigating whether that dilemma could be cured by embedding charging equipment under the pavement along portions of I-294 as the roadway is rebuilt.</em></p>
<p><em>That technology would wirelessly charge electric vehicles as they pass over it, reducing the need for drivers to stop to recharge their batteries and eliminating “range anxiety” for anyone who takes an EV for a spin on I-294. </em></p>
<p>The Tollway will continue to look forward to determine what new technologies it can adopt or develop to make traveling more efficient and environmentally friendly for our customers.</p>
<p>To read the entire story click <a href="https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-edit-electric-cars-range-anxiety-20181003-story.html" target="_blank">here</a>, and to see the presentation click <a href="/documents/20184/640581/20180927_Smartpowerlanes.pdf/a927e54d-821d-4eea-bdeb-e1f2036635eb" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="tidt" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-01-08]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Looking to the Future of Transportation
Display date: 2019-01-08
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="puge" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"classPK":"0","groupId":"20184","name":"36093","alt":"2017_Nov28_DidYouKnow_506x253.jpg","title":"2017_Nov28_DidYouKnow_506x253.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"fa600535-15be-415d-8375-4c2df84bf0fc","fileEntryId":"767262","resourcePrimKey":"1143164"}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="WVyVTuZ1" name="SmallImage" type="image"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="pvvk" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Looking to the Future of Transportation]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="NHTPCWgQ" name="BodyHeader" type="text"/><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="ecqt" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<img alt="" src="/documents/20184/733502/InRoadCharging_shutterstock_404514916_small.jpg/38294075-c13d-410f-87a0-cf56a5a4ca98?t=1546971586959" style="float: right; margin: 15px;" />
<p>Last year, the Illinois Tollway began exploring the possibility of installing in-road charging equipment in the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) so drivers can recharge their electric cars just by traveling over the pavement.</p>
<p>It’s an innovative idea—and one that the Chicago Tribune said in a recent editorial is worth considering as the Tollway moves to incorporate new transportation technology into its 15-year, $14 billion Move Illinois capital program.</p>
<p>Here’s an excerpt -</p>
<p><em>The Tollway is looking to a future that is expected to include more electric vehicles (EVs) as it begins its $4 billion reconstruction and widening of 22 miles of I-294 between Balmoral Avenue in Rosemont and 95th Street in Oak Lawn.</em></p>
<p><em>While drivers piloting electric vehicles now may experience “range anxiety” caused by limited battery capacity, the Tollway is investigating whether that dilemma could be cured by embedding charging equipment under the pavement along portions of I-294 as the roadway is rebuilt.</em></p>
<p><em>That technology would wirelessly charge electric vehicles as they pass over it, reducing the need for drivers to stop to recharge their batteries and eliminating “range anxiety” for anyone who takes an EV for a spin on I-294. </em></p>
<p>The Tollway will continue to look forward to determine what new technologies it can adopt or develop to make traveling more efficient and environmentally friendly for our customers.</p>
<p>To read the entire story click <a href="https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-edit-electric-cars-range-anxiety-20181003-story.html" target="_blank">here</a>, and to see the presentation click <a href="/documents/20184/640581/20180927_Smartpowerlanes.pdf/a927e54d-821d-4eea-bdeb-e1f2036635eb" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="oivt" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-01-08]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Looking to the Future of Transportation
Display date: 2019-01-08
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root available-locales="en_US" default-locale="en_US" version="1.0"><dynamic-element field-reference="BigImage" index-type="text" instance-id="svdq" name="BigImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{"groupId":"20184","alt":"Meeting-Plans_5714.jpg","name":"Meeting-Plans_5714.jpg","width":"","description":"Meeting-Plans_5714.jpg","title":"Meeting-Plans_5714.jpg","type":"journal","uuid":"8a6762a5-e289-4af2-9be2-56772ff41332","fileEntryId":"767241","resourcePrimKey":"1228977","url":"/documents/20184/765907/Meeting-Plans_5714.jpg/8a6762a5-e289-4af2-9be2-56772ff41332?t=1555516768166","height":""}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="SmallImage" index-type="text" instance-id="6tWn3BRr" name="SmallImage" type="image"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[{}]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Title" index-type="text" instance-id="fknm" name="Title" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Illinois Tollway Looks Ahead to 2019]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="BodyHeader" index-type="text" instance-id="rnwJf847" name="BodyHeader" type="text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="Body" index-type="text" instance-id="lstd" name="Body" type="rich_text"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<h2><img alt="" src="/documents/20184/110710/WorkZone_001_DL.JPG/69a396e8-a366-4f22-9b2d-dd07b0b2bcc3?t=1319468028272" style="float: right; height: 199px; width: 300px; margin: 15px;" /><em>Seeks to build upon past accomplishments in eighth year of Move Illinois Program</em></h2>
<p>DOWNERS GROVE, IL – The Illinois Tollway introduced advancements, improvements and innovative new programs in 2018 that promise to deliver exceptional value to Tollway customers in 2019 and for years to come.</p>
<p>Building upon these accomplishments, the Tollway is well-positioned to expand its economic impact on the region, redefine travel for its 1.6 million daily drivers, enhance safety and reliability, improve sustainability and create new opportunities for diverse businesses and underemployed individuals. </p>
<p>“We made significant progress in 2018 on projects and initiatives that our customers and the communities of Northern Illinois care about,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Liz Gorman. “We are moving ahead in 2019 with $1.4 billion in investments in infrastructure improvements for the eighth year of our 15-year, $14 billion <em>Move Illinois</em> capital program. These investments are putting more people to work and delivering improvements to increase safety and reliability for our customers.” </p>
<h2><span style="color:#009c34;"><strong>2018 Milestones</strong></span></h2>
<p><strong>Advancing Western Access</strong><br />
When complete, the I-490 Tollway and western access to O’Hare will have an enormous economic impact, promoting the area’s global competitiveness and creating 65,000 new sustainable jobs for working families. In 2018, the Tollway took significant steps toward making this project a reality by signing a letter of intent with Canadian Pacific Railway, creating a framework for a final agreement and reaching a memorandum of understanding with Union Pacific Railroad, helping to resolve issues related to western access and the I-490 Tollway connection to the Tri-State Tollway (I-294). </p>
<p><strong>Building Our Workforce</strong><br />
With the launch of ConstructionWorks, powered by the Illinois Tollway, minorities, women and veterans interested in pursuing careers in heavy highway and related construction industries can now receive free pre-apprenticeship training and support at 18 ConstructionWorks sites in Cook and DuPage counties, Chicago, Rockford, Aurora and Waukegan. With upwards of $20 billion in Chicagoland infrastructure improvements over the next decade, coupled with an aging skilled labor force, this program is designed to ensure a qualified pipeline of diverse men and women in the skilled trades.</p>
<p><strong>Improving Operations</strong><br />
The Illinois Tollway Board of Directors also conducted a robust series of public meetings seeking input from industry experts aimed at improving Tollway operations including issues of Qualifications-Based Selection process, the agency’s hiring process and conflict-of-interest policies. After extensive evaluation, the Board moved to implement changes designed to improve transparency, accountability to customers and strengthen the way the agency conducts business.</p>
<p><strong>Helping Emerging Companies</strong><br />
The Tollway’s Partnering for Growth Program opened a new avenue for emerging construction firms, including minority-, women- and veteran-owned businesses, to grow and successfully compete for Tollway work. Long available to professional engineering services firms, the Partnering for Growth Program was expanded to include mentorship agreements between construction firms, allowing small and diverse firms to gain experience and valuable assistance from more experienced mentor firms. So far, of the approximately 150 mentoring agreements, four have been executed between established contractors and emerging or diverse firms. </p>
<p><strong>Partnering with Transit</strong><br />
Under a unique partnership with Pace Suburban Bus, the Tollway integrated transit into an interchange along an interstate highway for the first time. The Barrington Road Interchange on the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) in the Village of Hoffman Estates features the first in-line express bus accommodations in Illinois. The new full-access interchange provides commuters and residents more efficient, economical public transportation options and improves access for businesses in Hoffman Estates and to nearby St. Alexius Medical Center. </p>
<p><strong>Enhancing Customer Service</strong><br />
As part of ongoing efforts to operate more efficiently and enhance customer options, the Tollway replaced outdated coin baskets with machines that offer cash-paying customers the convenience to use coins, cash or credit and debit cards similar to self-service payment machines at parking garages. This will improve travel for infrequent visitors and cash-paying customers with this introduction of “Self-Service” lanes on ramp toll plazas.</p>
<p><strong>Protecting the Environment</strong><br />
The Tollway demonstrated its support for a healthier urban forest throughout Northern Illinois and its commitment to the environment by entering a partnership with The Morton Arboretum to better understand which trees are best suited to thrive along roadsides and to develop best practices for future tree plantings. These efforts not only allow Tollway customers the opportunity to appreciate the beauty of trees, but trees along the Tollway system make streets quieter in local communities, reduce flooding and provide a healthier environment by cleaning the air and cooling the surrounding area. </p>
<h2><span style="color:#009c34;">2019 Plans</span></h2>
<p><strong>Creating a Regional Solution</strong><br />
As the largest project in Tollway history, the Central Tri-State (I-294) Reconstruction Project will advance the $4 billion investment in this critical 22-mile stretch of infrastructure with the goal of adding capacity and improving access to connect more people with businesses and residents. </p>
<p>As an economic engine for the region, the Tollway will advance multiple new interchange projects to improve local access. The Tollway is supporting the Village of Justice, Cook County and IDOT to advance planning and construction for a new interchange at 88th Avenue/Cork Avenue and with Cook and DuPage counties, as well as the cities of Elmhurst and Northlake, to reconfigure the North Avenue Interchange. </p>
<p>As part of the I-294 Reconstruction Project, the Tollway is working in partnership with local communities and environmental agencies including the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago and DuPage County Stormwater Management to address existing drainage, stormwater detention and water quality issues. </p>
<p><strong>Promoting Safety</strong><br />
The Tollway is elevating efforts to bring greater awareness to roadway safety laws, building upon its Give Them Distance campaign to educate drivers about the importance of Scott’s Law and working with legislators in Springfield to push for new, stricter penalties and a $1,000 fine for drivers who intentionally cut through work zones and endanger the safety of workers. The Tollway is also working in partnership with the Illinois High School & College Driver Education Association to highlight the Give Them Distance campaign, as well as public safety and traffic laws, in Illinois driver’s education classrooms with the goal of making our roads safer. </p>
<p><strong>Planning for the Future</strong><br />
The Illinois Tollway will continue to develop and implement a comprehensive strategic plan – a roadmap to maximize the beneficial impact on transportation mobility in Northern Illinois and to identify community and customer needs. The Tollway will continue to collaborate with stakeholders and local governments to develop an agency vision, mission, values and goals that can provide the greatest value to Tollway customers, communities and the regional transportation network. </p>
<p>“The Illinois Tollway is looking forward to accomplishing great things in 2019,” said Gorman. “We have already delivered significant improvements in the first half of our Move Illinois Program and we are eager to continue providing benefits for our customers and the communities we serve next year and beyond.” </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="krjv" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-01-02]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Looks Ahead to 2019
Display date: 2019-01-02
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<p>DOWNERS GROVE, IL – The Illinois Tollway introduced advancements, improvements and innovative new programs in 2018 that promise to deliver exceptional value to Tollway customers in 2019 and for years to come.</p>
<p>Building upon these accomplishments, the Tollway is well-positioned to expand its economic impact on the region, redefine travel for its 1.6 million daily drivers, enhance safety and reliability, improve sustainability and create new opportunities for diverse businesses and underemployed individuals. </p>
<p>“We made significant progress in 2018 on projects and initiatives that our customers and the communities of Northern Illinois care about,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Liz Gorman. “We are moving ahead in 2019 with $1.4 billion in investments in infrastructure improvements for the eighth year of our 15-year, $14 billion <em>Move Illinois</em> capital program. These investments are putting more people to work and delivering improvements to increase safety and reliability for our customers.” </p>
<h2><span style="color:#009c34;"><strong>2018 Milestones</strong></span></h2>
<p><strong>Advancing Western Access</strong><br />
When complete, the I-490 Tollway and western access to O’Hare will have an enormous economic impact, promoting the area’s global competitiveness and creating 65,000 new sustainable jobs for working families. In 2018, the Tollway took significant steps toward making this project a reality by signing a letter of intent with Canadian Pacific Railway, creating a framework for a final agreement and reaching a memorandum of understanding with Union Pacific Railroad, helping to resolve issues related to western access and the I-490 Tollway connection to the Tri-State Tollway (I-294). </p>
<p><strong>Building Our Workforce</strong><br />
With the launch of ConstructionWorks, powered by the Illinois Tollway, minorities, women and veterans interested in pursuing careers in heavy highway and related construction industries can now receive free pre-apprenticeship training and support at 18 ConstructionWorks sites in Cook and DuPage counties, Chicago, Rockford, Aurora and Waukegan. With upwards of $20 billion in Chicagoland infrastructure improvements over the next decade, coupled with an aging skilled labor force, this program is designed to ensure a qualified pipeline of diverse men and women in the skilled trades.</p>
<p><strong>Improving Operations</strong><br />
The Illinois Tollway Board of Directors also conducted a robust series of public meetings seeking input from industry experts aimed at improving Tollway operations including issues of Qualifications-Based Selection process, the agency’s hiring process and conflict-of-interest policies. After extensive evaluation, the Board moved to implement changes designed to improve transparency, accountability to customers and strengthen the way the agency conducts business.</p>
<p><strong>Helping Emerging Companies</strong><br />
The Tollway’s Partnering for Growth Program opened a new avenue for emerging construction firms, including minority-, women- and veteran-owned businesses, to grow and successfully compete for Tollway work. Long available to professional engineering services firms, the Partnering for Growth Program was expanded to include mentorship agreements between construction firms, allowing small and diverse firms to gain experience and valuable assistance from more experienced mentor firms. So far, of the approximately 150 mentoring agreements, four have been executed between established contractors and emerging or diverse firms. </p>
<p><strong>Partnering with Transit</strong><br />
Under a unique partnership with Pace Suburban Bus, the Tollway integrated transit into an interchange along an interstate highway for the first time. The Barrington Road Interchange on the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) in the Village of Hoffman Estates features the first in-line express bus accommodations in Illinois. The new full-access interchange provides commuters and residents more efficient, economical public transportation options and improves access for businesses in Hoffman Estates and to nearby St. Alexius Medical Center. </p>
<p><strong>Enhancing Customer Service</strong><br />
As part of ongoing efforts to operate more efficiently and enhance customer options, the Tollway replaced outdated coin baskets with machines that offer cash-paying customers the convenience to use coins, cash or credit and debit cards similar to self-service payment machines at parking garages. This will improve travel for infrequent visitors and cash-paying customers with this introduction of “Self-Service” lanes on ramp toll plazas.</p>
<p><strong>Protecting the Environment</strong><br />
The Tollway demonstrated its support for a healthier urban forest throughout Northern Illinois and its commitment to the environment by entering a partnership with The Morton Arboretum to better understand which trees are best suited to thrive along roadsides and to develop best practices for future tree plantings. These efforts not only allow Tollway customers the opportunity to appreciate the beauty of trees, but trees along the Tollway system make streets quieter in local communities, reduce flooding and provide a healthier environment by cleaning the air and cooling the surrounding area. </p>
<h2><span style="color:#009c34;">2019 Plans</span></h2>
<p><strong>Creating a Regional Solution</strong><br />
As the largest project in Tollway history, the Central Tri-State (I-294) Reconstruction Project will advance the $4 billion investment in this critical 22-mile stretch of infrastructure with the goal of adding capacity and improving access to connect more people with businesses and residents. </p>
<p>As an economic engine for the region, the Tollway will advance multiple new interchange projects to improve local access. The Tollway is supporting the Village of Justice, Cook County and IDOT to advance planning and construction for a new interchange at 88th Avenue/Cork Avenue and with Cook and DuPage counties, as well as the cities of Elmhurst and Northlake, to reconfigure the North Avenue Interchange. </p>
<p>As part of the I-294 Reconstruction Project, the Tollway is working in partnership with local communities and environmental agencies including the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago and DuPage County Stormwater Management to address existing drainage, stormwater detention and water quality issues. </p>
<p><strong>Promoting Safety</strong><br />
The Tollway is elevating efforts to bring greater awareness to roadway safety laws, building upon its Give Them Distance campaign to educate drivers about the importance of Scott’s Law and working with legislators in Springfield to push for new, stricter penalties and a $1,000 fine for drivers who intentionally cut through work zones and endanger the safety of workers. The Tollway is also working in partnership with the Illinois High School & College Driver Education Association to highlight the Give Them Distance campaign, as well as public safety and traffic laws, in Illinois driver’s education classrooms with the goal of making our roads safer. </p>
<p><strong>Planning for the Future</strong><br />
The Illinois Tollway will continue to develop and implement a comprehensive strategic plan – a roadmap to maximize the beneficial impact on transportation mobility in Northern Illinois and to identify community and customer needs. The Tollway will continue to collaborate with stakeholders and local governments to develop an agency vision, mission, values and goals that can provide the greatest value to Tollway customers, communities and the regional transportation network. </p>
<p>“The Illinois Tollway is looking forward to accomplishing great things in 2019,” said Gorman. “We have already delivered significant improvements in the first half of our Move Illinois Program and we are eager to continue providing benefits for our customers and the communities we serve next year and beyond.” </p>]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element><dynamic-element field-reference="DisplayDate" index-type="keyword" instance-id="mynl" name="DisplayDate" type="date"><dynamic-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[2019-01-02]]></dynamic-content></dynamic-element></root>
Illinois Tollway Looks Ahead to 2019
Display date: 2019-01-02
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This is a TEST!
Display date: 1999-01-01
The Illinois Tollway has introduced a balanced Tentative 2024 Budget with $1.64 billion of revenue that includes $451.3 million for annual maintenance and operations on the 294-mile system and provides funds to support $1.4 billion in capital spending, including funding for the 13th year of the agency’s 15-year Move Illinois capital program.
“Our Tentative 2024 Budget outlines a balanced spending plan demonstrating the Illinois Tollway’s commitment to serving our customers, communities and contributing to the business and economic development opportunities for the state,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. “We encourage the public to view the tentative budget and share their comments.”
As part of the Illinois Tollway’s 2024 Budget process there are several ways for the public to review and comment:
- Visit the Finance section on Illinois Tollway’s website www.illinoistollway.com to review the Tentative 2024 Budget book or view a recording of the presentation to the board.
- Attend public hearings on Monday, November 13, at 9 a.m. at Illinois Tollway headquarters in Downers Grove or at 6 p.m. at the Willow Springs Village Hall, 1 Village Circle, Willow Springs.
- Submit a comment via the Tollway’s website www.illinoistollway.com, email to info@getipass.com or mail to the Department of Stakeholder Engagement, 2700 Ogden Avenue, Downers Grove, IL 60515 by November 26.
After the Board of Directors has reviewed the public comments and any changes have been incorporated, a final budget will be presented for approval by the Board at its December meeting.
Read more here.