Illinois Tollway Prepared to Clear Snow and Ice

Submitted by the Illinois Tollway.

Downers Grove, IL - The Illinois Tollway has deployed snowplows in response to Wednesday’s snowfall, with strong winds possibly causing blowing snow that could reduce visibility on portions of some roadways.

The Tollway’s Snow Operations Center is open to manage the agency’s systemwide response.

“We are monitoring this storm closely and are responding with the resources needed to stay on top of the anticipated snow and ice,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Greg Bedalov. “We are urging drivers to please slow down and increase the distance from the vehicles in front of them and give our snowplows the room they need to clear the roads.”

The Illinois Tollway will have a full complement of more than 200 staff and supervisors per shift to ensure that roadways are kept clear of snow and ice.

During winter weather, drivers are advised to slow down and give other motorists and snowplows the space they need to travel safely. 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.

Drivers whose vehicles become disabled should dial *999 from a cellphone for assistance from Illinois State Police District 15 or from the Tollway’s Highway Emergency Lane Patrol (H.E.L.P.) trucks sponsored by State Farm. Drivers should note the roadway and direction of travel and nearest milepost or crossroad.

Travelers who want to take a break from the snowfall can stop at any of the Tollway’s six oases pavilions, which are open 24 hours a day. The oases provide a variety of food, beverage and retail offerings, as well as fuel stations. 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 also are oases on the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) in Belvidere and on the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88) in DeKalb.

The Tollway offers the following tips for use during winter weather events:

• Slow down and leave enough time to reach your destination.
• Do not make sudden lane changes and always use your turn signal.
• Don’t follow too closely and increase your intervals between vehicles.
• Reduce speed in cash lanes at toll plazas.
• Remember to always wear your safety belt and ensure children under the age of 8 are securely restrained in child safety seats.
• Don’t text or use a hand-held cellphone while driving. Both are illegal.
• Need Help? Dial *999. If your vehicle becomes disabled, park safely on the shoulder, raise your hood and remain in your vehicle. Dial *999 and assistance will be dispatched to your location.

Illinois Tollway Keeps Drivers Informed
In addition to working to keep roads free of snow and ice, the Illinois Tollway provides drivers with information to help them reach their destinations safely during winter weather events.

The Illinois Tollway’s Traffic and Incident Management System (TIMS) provides real-time travel times and roadway conditions on over-the-road electronic message signs throughout the Tollway.

Real-time roadway incident information including the type of incident, location and impact on traffic is also available on illinoistollway.com or via Twitter to assist drivers in planning their trips. Drivers can sign up for Tollway tweets at twitter.com from the Tollway’s website at illinoistollway.com. Tweeters can follow all four Tollway Trips or just the roadways that interest them. The four are Tollway Trip 90, Tollway Trip 94/294, Tollway Trip 88 and Tollway Trip 355.

Before traveling, customers can access live camera feeds that offer “bird’s-eye” views from 21 different locations along the Tollway system. The camera feeds are easily accessible by selecting the “View Traffic Cameras” link on the Tollway’s homepage at illinoistollway.com.

In addition, the Tollway operates a toll-free telephone line to keep customers up-to-date about weather conditions on its roadways. Customers can call 1-800-TOLL-FYI (1-800-865-5394) for recorded information updated every two hours or as conditions require during winter storms.