2004 Press Releases

• December 29, 2004
  SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Departments of Transportation (IDOT) and Public Health (IDPH) announced today they are in the process of developing a new database that will assist in highway safety decision-making.
• December 21, 2004
  SPRINGFIELD, IL -– The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that highway construction work will be suspended, where possible, on state highways to give motorists a break during the Christmas and New Year’s holidays.
• December 2, 2004
  SPRINGFIELD, IL –- Citing an increase in deer-vehicle collisions of more than 9 percent over the previous year, state officials on Friday reminded motorists that autumn is the busiest season for these crashes as deer seek mates and food sources.
• November 23, 2004
  SPRINGFIELD, IL –- As the holiday season begins, more people will travel to visit family and friends.
• November 19, 2004
  SPRINGFIELD, IL -- The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that construction work on state highways will be suspended, where possible, to give motorists a break for the Thanksgiving holiday.
• November 19, 2004
  COLLINSVILLE , IL -- The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that the northbound Illinois Route 3 ramp to westbound Interstate 55/70/64 will be reopened to traffic on Wednesday, November 24, 2004 , weather permitting. Construction work on the ramp will resume in the Spring of 2005 and is expected to be completed by August 1, 2005 ; no ramps will be closed over the winter.
• November 19, 2004
  COLLINSVILLE , IL -- I-64 Lane Additions in St. Clair County
• November 18, 2004
  CHICAGO, IL -- The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), citing public welfare and safety concerns, announced today that it is not feasible to repair and reopen the section of Joliet Road from 55th Street to East Avenue in McCook.
• October 27, 2004
  CARTHAGE, IL -- Governor Rod Blagojevich joined state and local officials to officially break ground and begin construction on an important new segment of Illinois 336.
• October 8, 2004
  SPRINGFIELD, IL -– The Illinois Departments of Transportation and Agriculture today issued a warning to motorists to watch out for tractors and other farm equipment on rural highways. The harvest season throughout the state is peaking.
• October 8, 2004
  SPRINGFIELD, IL -– Citing an increase in deer-vehicle collisions of more than 9 percent over the previous year, state officials on Friday reminded motorists that autumn is the busiest season for these crashes as deer seek mates and food sources.
• October 1, 2004
  SPRINGFIELD, IL -- – Illinois Transportation Secretary, Timothy W. Martin, is urging IDOT employees and employers throughout the state to emphasize safe driving techniques during Drive Safely to Work Week, October 4 through 8.
• September 29, 2004
  SPRINGFIELD, IL – The following consultant firms were selected by the Consultant Selection Committee September 29, 2004, to provide services for the Department as advertised in Professional Transportation Bulletin 133 that is dated July 22, 2004.
• September 23, 2004
  SPRINGFIELD, IL – IDOT Traffic Safety employees Mike Johnson and Greg Gifford are receiving praise for saving a man’s life. On Wednesday September 22, 2004, Department of Revenue Director Brian Hamer held an appreciation ceremony honoring the two for saving Revenue employee Jeff Lane’s life.
• September 2, 2004
  SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that highway construction work will be suspended, where possible, on state highways to give motorists a break for the Labor Day holiday weekend.
• August 26, 2004
  SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois State Police and local law enforcement agencies throughout Illinois are teaming up on one of the most aggressive impaired driving reduction efforts to date.
• August 19, 2004
  IDOT has published guidelines for using Context Sensitive Solutions (CSS) approaches to its more complex projects. Click here to download the document (pdf). And please visit IDOT’s CSS website here for more details about the CSS approach, and examples of CSS in practice in Illinois.
• August 11, 2004
  CHICAGO, IL -- During a press conference at IDOT’s Emergency Traffic Patrol Headquarters in Chicago dozens of people gathered to celebrate the lives that have been saved from seatbelt usage. Saved by the Safety Belt Medallions were awarded to more than 15 people from Chicago, Crystal Lake, Hoffman Estates, Lincolnshire and New Lenox by local police departments.
• August 10, 2004
  SPRINGFIELD, IL -- As you may be aware, the Illinois General Assembly enacted new requirements for the sale of general obligation bonds during the recently-concluded session. Complying with these changes means that the next bond sale will not occur until the middle of September at the earliest. This could affect one or more of your payments from the Series A Bond Fund. I would appreciate your patience and understanding as we try to get through this situation.
• August 9, 2004
  CHICAGO, IL -- The Illinois Department of Transportation, along with the Illinois State Police and local police departments, will honor Illinois residents, who have been involved in serious crashes and survived because they wore their seat belt, at a press conference entitled “Saved By The Belt” in Chicago .
• July 8, 2004
  SPRINGFIELD, IL -- As you are probably aware, the Governor signed a one month interim budget for the State on July 2. This interim budget expires on July 31, 2004 and we fully expect to have a permanent budget for the entire fiscal year by that date.
• July 2, 2004
  COLLINSVILLE, IL -- The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that the northbound Illinois Route 3 ramp to eastbound Interstate 55/70/64 will be closed beginning Wednesday, July 7, 2004 for deck repairs.
• June 30, 2004
  Schaumburg, IL-- The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), along with Canadian National Railroad, Metra, and the City Department of Aviation today announced a public/ private partnership that will coordinate construction of a new RR bridge along I-190.
• June 21, 2004
  SPRINGFIELD, IL --- The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that highway construction work will be suspended, where possible, on state highways to give motorists a break for the Fourth of July holiday weekend.
• June 21, 2004
  SPRINGFIELD, IL -- The Illinois Department of Transportation announced that Phase I work is anticipated to be completed and westbound Interstate 55/70/64 exit to southbound Illinois Route 3 reopened to traffic at noon, Tuesday, June 22, 2004, weather permitting.
• June 21, 2004
  DIXON, IL -- The Illinois Department of Transportation, located in Dixon, announces a Public Informational Open House to be held on Wednesday, June 23, 2004, from 3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Freeport Public Library, 100 East Douglas, Freeport, Illinois.
• June 11, 2004
  SPRINGFIELD, IL -- The Illinois Department of Transportation received bids on June 11, 2004 for various road and bridge improvement projects located throughout the state. This letting included 218 highway projects, five for review and inspection, eight aeronautics projects, two land reclamation projects and one water resource project.
• June 7, 2004
  SPRINGFIELD, IL -- The Department's hotline received 53 calls from the public in May 2004. The hotline was established for the public to report abuse of state work time and vehicles, as well as to report on the good things IDOT employees are doing.
• June 7, 2004
  SPRINGFIELD, IL -- The Illinois Department of Transportation has received approval to proceed with Master Planning for the South Suburban Airport (SSA). The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) sent notice it agrees with IDOT's forecast for potential market demand and that the Department may use the forecasted numbers to proceed with planning and facility requirements.
• June 1, 2004
  Ottawa, IL -– The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) will hold two public workshops in June to obtain public input on identifying possible transportation improvement alternatives for northeastern Illinois.
• May 20, 2004
  SCHAUMBURG, IL -- The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced a temporary lane closure on U.S. 14 /Northwest Highway at Palatine Road beginning this afternoon and continuing through the weekend.
• May 6, 2004
  SCHAUMBURG, IL -- Beginning May 17, the bridge on IL 43 ( Waukegan Road ) over IL 120 ( Belvidere Road ) in Park City in Lake County, Illinois will be cleaned and painted. There will be temporary daytime lane closures at this location.
• May 5, 2004
  SCHAUMBURG, IL -- Beginning at 7:00 a.m. May 17th, The Grand Trunk Western Railroad Crossing will be closed on Burnham Avenue between Glenwood-Lansing Road and 186th Street.
• May 5, 2004
  SCHAUMBURG, IL -- Beginning at 7:00 a.m. May 10th. The Grand Trunk Western Railroad Crossing on 115th Street between Western Avenue and Kedzie Avenue will be closed.
• May 5, 2004
  SCHAUMBURG, IL -- Beginning May 10, a guardrail improvement project will begin on I-55 in the Joliet Area.
• May 3, 2004
  SPRINGFIELD, IL -- The Illinois Department of Transportation is seeking consultants for 17 highway projects across the state.
• May 3, 2004
  SPRINGFIELD, IL -- The Department's hotline received 69 calls from the public in March 2004. The hotline was established for the public to report abuse of state work time and vehicles, as well as to report on the good things IDOT employees are doing.
• April 30, 2004
  SCHAUMBURG, IL -- Beginning May 4, Blodgett Road will be resurfaced from Kelly Avenue to I-55 in the Wilmington area. There will be periodic lane closures that may slow traffic.
• April 30, 2004
  SCHAUMBURG, IL -- Weather permitting, the eastbound lanes of US 30 between IL 394 (Calumet Expressway) and IL 83 will be closed during the daytime from May 3-5 for concrete paving. The closures will take place from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• April 30, 2004
  SCHAUMBURG, IL -- Work will begin on May 3 to improve the traffic signals along 31st Street in LaGrange Park and Brookfield. The project will help regulate traffic flow through these busy intersections from Wolf Road to 17th Avenue.
• April 30, 2004
  SCHAUMBURG, IL -- Beginning May 3, crews will be installing new guardrail along Interstate 55 at Illinois Route 59 near Shorewood. The improvements will require the closing of the left lane on Northbound I-55.
• April 28, 2004
  Beginning May 3, there will be some moving road work on Illinois Routes 38 and 47 in the Sugar Grove, Elburn and Lily Lake areas.
• April 28, 2004
  Motorists will soon see more construction work on Palatine Road . Beginning on May 10, the intersection of US 14 ( Northwest Highway ), Hicks Road and Palatine Road will be resurfaced.
• April 27, 2004
  SCHAUMBURG, IL -- Beginning May 3, there will be some moving road work on Illinois Routes 38 and 47 in the Sugar Grove, Elburn and Lily Lake areas. Workers will be sealing joints and cracks on IL 38, from the DeKalb County Line to IL 47.
• April 23, 2004
  SCHAUMBURG, IL -- On April 27 and 28, weather permitting, crews will be pouring concrete on Higgins Road (IL 72) in East Dundee.
• April 23, 2004
  The Illinois Department of Transportation received bids on April 23, 2004 for various road and bridge improvement projects located throughout the state. This includes 187 highway projects, 10 Aeronautics projects and one land reclamation project. There are also four projects for review & inspection.
• April 22, 2004
  Rod R. Blagojevich today announced the state's highway improvement program, for Fiscal Years 2005 to 2011 . The $8.3 billion comprehensive Multi-Year Program (MYP) focuses on preserving and modernizing existing roads, as well as reducing congestion.
• April 14, 2004
  SCHAUMBURG-- The McDonough Street Bridge in downtown Joliet will be closed to all traffic beginning April 28. Crews will be performing a variety of repairs to the bridge in an attempt to reduce the amount of closures for maintenance.
• April 13, 2004
  SPRINGFIELD , IL -- The Illinois Department of Transportation has selected the following consultant firms to provide services for the Department as advertised in the Professional Transportation Bulletin 131, dated February 5, 2004.
• April 13, 2004
  SCHAUMBURG-- On April 22, a new traffic signal will be activated in rural Kane County, west of Elgin. At approximately 10 a.m., crews will turn on new signals at the intersection of IL 47 and Plank Road. The new traffic signal will replace the overhead flashing beacon and stop signs.
• April 2, 2004
  Beginning at 6 a.m. April 17, to 6 a.m. April 24, the BNSF Railroad crossing near 33 rd Street and Harlem Avenue in North Riverside will be closed to all traffic.
• April 2, 2004
  SCHAUMBURG -- On Saturday April 3, the ramp from southbound Lake Shore Drive (U.S. 41) to the outbound (SWB) Stevenson Expressway (I-55) will be closed from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. for bridge deck patching.
• March 30, 2004
  SCHAUMBURG - On April 12, weather permitting, the patching project to improve IL 50 ( Cicero Avenue ) will continue in the communities of Matteson, Richton Park and University Park. Most of the work associated with this $4.2 million dollar project was completed last year.
• March 30, 2004
  SCHAUMBURG -- On April 5 th, weather permitting a project to modernize traffic signals along a stretch of U.S. 14 ( Northwest Highway), will begin. The $371,000 job will affect the traffic signals from Euclid Avenue to Arlington Heights Road, in Arlington Heights.
• March 30, 2004
  SCHAUMBURG -- On April 5, weather permitting, a project to repair various bridges on IL 38 in Oak Brook Terrace will begin. The $289,000 job will repair bridge substructures, piers and abutments on IL 38 at IL 56 and at IL 83.
• March 30, 2004
  SCHAUMBURG-- On April 5 th, weather permitting, only one lane will be open in both directions on IL 21 (Milwaukee Avenue) between Washington Street to just south of IL 120 in Gurnee. There will also be temporary lane closures in effect until April 5 th.
• March 30, 2004
  CHICAGO, IL-- Because an alarming 46 drivers, passengers and workers in highway work-related accidents in last year died, Governor Rod R. Blagojevich announced today new legislation and strategies that will make highway construction and maintenance zones safer places to travel and work.
• March 29, 2004
  SCHAUMBURG , IL-- On April 1, weather permitting, a project to replace the 107 th Street and Throop Street bridges over I-57 will begin.
• March 29, 2004
  SCHAUMBURG , IL-- On March 29th, weather permitting, a project to install a new barrier wall on the Edens Expressway in Highland Park will begin.
• March 29, 2004
  SCHAUMBURG , IL -- Spring has brought the return of closures of side streets along U.S. 6 in Channahon.
• March 25, 2004
  SPRINGFIELD, IL -- The Illinois Department of Transportation will open bids on April 23, 2004 for various road and bridge improvement projects located throughout the state.
• March 23, 2004
  CHICAGO, IL -- The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today the closures of State and Lafayette streets between 79 th and 83 rd for sewer and water main relocation.
• March 22, 2004
  The Illinois Department of Transportation selected consultants for 6 highway projects across the state.
• March 18, 2004
  SPRINGFIELD, IL -- The Illinois Department of Transportation, Bureau of Small Business Enterprises has selected Varsity Striping & Construction Co. of Champaign, Illinois as this years Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) of the Year Award recipient.
• March 18, 2004
  CHICAGO, IL -- The Illinois Department of Transportation is taking the next step to move the Dan Ryan Reconstruction Project forward.
• March 18, 2004
  SCHAUMBURG, IL -- Construction crews are scheduled to return to US 45 over I-80 this week to complete punch list work on the interchange and bridge reconstruction project.
• March 18, 2004
  SPRINGFIELD, IL -- Children’s safety on Illinois roadways top priority for IDOT.
• March 12, 2004
  SPRINGFIELD, IL -- The Illinois Department of Transportation, has a new Web site for the First Lady's Wildflower Program.
• March 12, 2004
  CHICAGO, IL -- (March 12, 2004) Beginning this month Illinois motorists will notice some slight changes along the Robert Kingery Expressway. “For the first time in more than 50 years, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) will begin construction on and around this highway to make it safer and alleviate congestion,” said IDOT Secretary Timothy W. Martin.
• March 11, 2004
  CHICAGO, IL -- Illinois Transportation Secretary Tim Martin today announced the start of the $300 million Robert Kingery Expressway reconstruction project to improve public safety and congestion on the expressway.
• March 11, 2004
  SPRINGFIELD, IL -- Construction is underway on US 67 for 3.7 miles of roadway between Jacksonville and Chapin as well as new construction one mile Northeast of Roodhouse and continuing northerly to approximately one mile South of Andress Road. This section is 5.35 miles.
• March 11, 2004
  CHICAGO, IL -- The Illinois Department of Transportation, the Illinois State Police and local law enforcement are warning motorists this St. Patrick's Day Holiday, “If You Drink and Drive. You Lose.”
• March 8, 2004
  SCHAUMBURG -- The bridge rehabilitation, widening and resurfacing of 127th Street (Burr Oak Avenue) from Artesian Avenue to Paulina Street and 127th Street (Burr Oak Avenue) over the METRA/Iowa Interstate Railroad in the communities of Blue Island and Calumet Park is underway.
• March 8, 2004
  SPRINGFIELD -- The Illinois Department of Transportation is seeking consultants for 30 highway projects across the state. Pre-qualified consultants will be selected on April 14, 2004. Statements of interest were due February 19, 2004. Statements of Interest for Items 29 and 30 prior to 4:30 p.m. local time, March 17, 2004.
• March 5, 2004
  SPRINGFIELD -- The Department's hotline received 97 calls from the public in February 2004. The hotline was established for the public to report abuse of state work time and vehicles, as well as to report on the good things IDOT employees are doing.
• March 3, 2004
  OTTAWA -- The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) today announced the findings of the Transportation System Performance Report that evaluates the need for future transportation improvements in northeastern Illinois.
• March 1, 2004
  SPRINGFIELD -- The Illinois Department of Transportation; in conjunction with the American Traffic Safety Services Association and the Virginia Department of Transportation, has developed a Drivers Education Work Zone Awareness Program.
• February 27, 2004
  SCHAUMBURG – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced the temporary daytime closure of the McDonough Street Bridge in Joliet from Monday, March 1 through Wednesday March 3. Weather permitting, the bridge is scheduled to be closed from 7 AM to 3:30 PM each day.
• February 27, 2004
  SCHAUMBURG - Brighter lights soon will illuminate Hubbard's Cave, the Kennedy Expressway tunnel passageway near Chicago's Loop, as construction crews begin work on a new and improved lighting system.
• February 27, 2004
  SCHAUMBURG -- The Illinois Department of Transportation announced that the final phase of the project to improve a section of IL 120 is the activation of the traffic signal on Route 120/Raffel Road from Route 47 to Fleming Road in the City of Woodstock Monday, March 1, 2004. The $3.9 million project resurfaced and widened IL 120, installed a permanent traffic signal at Raffel Road and provided street lighting. The contractor was a joint venture between Thelen Sand and Gravel and Curran Contracting.
• February 27, 2004
  SCHAUMBURG -- Road construction will resume on LaGrange Road (U.S. 45) in the southwest suburbs on February 28, weather permitting.
• February 27, 2004
  SCHAUMBURG -- The mainline work for the major reconstruction of Lake Street (U.S. 20) in the communities of Hanover Park and Streamwood is scheduled to begin on March 1, 2004 weather permitting.
• February 26, 2004
  SCHAUMBURG IL -- The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) announced today that, weather permitting, the northbound Dan Ryan Expressway (I-90/94) exit to westbound Eisenhower Expressway (I-290) will be closed from midnight until 5:00 am Friday, February 27, 2004.
• February 25, 2004
  SPRINGFIELD , IL -- On March 1, 2004 Illinois 100/106 will be closed to thru traffic for bridge reconstruction at the Illinois River Bridge at Florence.
• February 23, 2004
  Chicago, IL -– To celebrate Black History month, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is participating as a lead sponsor in the Fourth Annual Breakfast of Champions. To kickoff the event, IDOT will make a presentation detailing how to do business with the state agency following remarks by keynote speaker and former NBA great, Earvin “Magic” Johnson. This event is the host to approximately 1,500 local business leaders.
• February 9, 2004
  Springfield, IL -– The Illinois Department of Transportation, with the help of local communities and volunteers, is promoting safe travel for Illinois’ children by holding free safety seat inspection check points statewide February 8-14th during National Child Passenger Safety Week.
• February 9, 2004
  Schaumburg, IL -– The Illinois Department of Transportation announces the posting of a truck detour to guide trucks impacted by the 15 ton weight limit recently imposed on the bridges carrying Illinois 23 over the Kishwaukee River and its overflow channel north of Marengo.
• February 7, 2004
  Springfield, IL -- The Illinois Department of Transportation is seeking consultants for 28 highway projects across the state. Pre-qualified consultants will be selected on April 14, 2004. Statements of interest are due February 19, 2004.
• February 2, 2004
  Springfield, IL -- The Illinois Department of Transportation will open bids on March 5, 2004 for various road and bridge improvement projects located throughout the state.
• January 30, 2004
  SCHAUMBURG, IL-- The Illinois Department of Transportation's travel information web site: www.gcmtravel.com today reached a record-setting 6.2 million hits during the month of January - the highest number ever to visit the site in a one month timeframe. Visits to the web site, which provides real-time traffic and travel information regarding the greater Chicago metropolitan area, exceeded 500,000 hits in one day during recent snow storms.
• January 29, 2004
  SPRINGFIELD, IL -- The Illinois Department of Transportation is seeking consultants for 6 highway projects across the state. Pre-qualified consultants will be selected on March 17, 2004. Statements of interest are due February 11, 2004 .
• January 29, 2004
  CARBONDALE, IL -- Governor Rod Blagojevich is inviting area residents to attend an Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) open house on Feb. 11, 2004, to discuss the improvement of Illinois Route 13 from Marion to Carterville. This planned $51 million improvement is part of Opportunity Returns, the Governor's comprehensive plan to stimulate the economy and create more jobs in the Southern Illinois region.
• January 27, 2004
  SCHAUMBURG, IL -- Weary motorists, take heart, help is on the way. A full fleet of more than 300 Illinois Department of Transportation snow plows and the IDOT Minutemen are on patrol throughout the Chicago area expressway system as the region is under a winter storm alert.
• January 22, 2004
  CHICAGO -- Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich today announced his appointments to the new Regional Transportation Task Force, which was created to study and make recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly on how to create an integrated transportation system that effectively and responsibly accommodates the needs of residents in northeastern Illinois .
• January 23, 2004
  Schaumburg, IL -- The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced the temporary daytime closure of the McDonough Street Bridge in Joliet from Monday, January 26 th through Friday, January 30 th . Weather permitting, the bridge is scheduled to be closed to vehicular traffic from 9 AM to 3 PM each day.
• January 21, 2004
  Springfield, IL -- The Illinois Department of Transportation has selected the following consultant firms to provide services for the Department as advertised in the Professional Transportation Bulletin 130.
• January 13, 2004
  The Department's hotline received a total of 416 calls from the public since its implementation June 2003. The hotline was established for the public to report abuse of state work time and vehicles, as well as to report on the positive aspects of IDOT employees work.
• January 5, 2004
  EAST SAINT LOUIS, IL -- Governor Rod R. Blagojevich is inviting today small or emerging businesses to attend the East St. Louis Opportunity Fair on January 13, where they will learn about how to do business with the state.