Edens Expressway Re-Construction

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) announced that as of August 22, weather permitting, it plans to open up all three lanes on the Edens Expressway/Interstate 94 from Lake Cook Rd. to the Kennedy Expressway during daytime hours, one week ahead of schedule. Overnight lane closures will continue for resurfacing until the completion of the project at the end of September. Currently, only two lanes are open from Old Orchard to the Kennedy.

The Edens Rehabilitation Project includes patching and resurfacing six bridge decks and resurfacing all three lanes of the entire length of the14-mile expressway from Lawrence Ave. to Lake Cook Rd.   The project also involves drainage modifications at the Foster Ave., Pratt St., Willow Road and Winnetka Road underpasses. The bridges being rehabilitated are those over the Skokie River, the Union Pacific Railroad tracks, Golf Rd., Forest Glen Ave., the North Branch of the Chicago River and Cicero Ave.

Ribbon cutting marks opening of the IL 255 Alton Bypass

On August 22, a ribbon cutting ceremony was held to mark the opening of a new section of the IL 255 Alton Bypass.  The Illinois Department built the 2.6 mile stretch of new four-lane highway from Fosterburg Rd. to Seminary Rd. at a cost of $25.1 million.  The Alton Bypass is a major transportation initiative intended to spur the economic development and job creation on a new corridor in the St. Louis Metro-East area.

IL 336 Re-Construction

The Illinois Department of Transportation is continuing the reconstruction of the expressway on IL Route 336 from just east of the city of Macomb westerly into Hancock County. This 77 million dollar project involves the construction of 4 lanes expressway over 11.5 miles. By the completion of the project, over 375 thousands of tons of asphalt, over 530 thousand tons of aggregate, over 3 million yards of earths work and over 10 thousand yards of concrete would be completed along with the construction of several bridges within this section.

A Ribbon Cutting Celebration will take place upon completion.  This new section of roadway is slated to be open to traffic by late October 2008.

Governor Blagojevich announces safety belt use tops 90 percent for second straight year

In July 2008, Governor Rod R. Blagojevich announced that Illinois has continued to make gains in roadway safety in 2008, as the number of motorists and front seat passengers who buckle up in the state edged upwards and exceeded 90 percent for the second straight year.  The Illinois Department of Transportation’s Division of Traffic Safety reported the overall number of fatalities on Illinois roads is down by 19 percent on a provisional basis for the first six months of 2008; from 598 in 2007, to 484 in 2008.  Click Here for more information.

CAUTION! Magazine is available on-line

The Summer 2008 CAUTION Magazine is now available on-line to view.  Past publications are also available.  CAUTION! is published bi-annually by IDOT’s Division of Traffic Safety.  The magazine features articles and stories pertaining to traffic safety statewide initiatives and campaigns.

IDOT Steps up Fuel Conservation Efforts and Unveils Pamphlet to Help Drivers Reduce Fuel Use

As part of an ongoing effort to conserve energy, the Illinois Department of Transportation released a new brochure that provides the driving public with tips on how to reduce fuel consumption. IDOT officials released the new brochure at a news conference at which they outlined the department’s environmental initiatives and efforts to conserve fuel and promote the use of biofuels during a time of skyrocketing fuel prices.

IDOT Participates in 79^th Annual Bud Billiken Parade

On August 9, 2008, IDOT participated in the 79^th Annual Bud Billiken Parade on Chicago’s southside.  Along with Secretary Sees, 30 IDOT employees marched down Martin Luther King Drive from 39^th to 55^th streets.  The parade is a celebration of community and family.  It highlights the importance of education and school attendance.