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IDOT announced that weather permitting, 15 minute full expressway closures will take place for a structure painting project on I-55 at the I-90/94 Interchange from May 29th to June 2nd.

These 15 minute full expressway closures will occur during the following days/times:

I-55 Stevenson

5/29     Wednesday     I-55 Stevenson NB (Inbound)                                 1 a.m. - 5 a.m.

5/30     Thursday         I-55 Stevenson NB (Inbound) and SB (outbound) 1 a.m. - 5 a.m.

5/31     Friday              I-55 Stevenson NB (Inbound) and SB (outbound)  1 a.m. - 5 a.m.

6/2       Sunday            I-55 Stevenson NB (Inbound) and SB (outbound) 1 a.m. - 5 a.m.

The entrance ramp from the Chinatown feeder to I-55 Stevenson SB (outbound) will also be closed Thursday, Friday, and Sunday from 1 a.m. - 5 a.m.

Motorists can expect delays during times when the lane closures are in effect and should allow extra time for trips through this area.  Drivers are urged to pay close attention to the signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits and be on the alert for workers and equipment.

As part of the I-94 N-S Freeway Project, WisDOT will be reconstructing the Rawson Avenue Interchange at I-94. As part of this work, the existing Rawson Avenue eastbound bridge over I-94 is scheduled to be demolished at this time for which a few overnight full freeway closures on I-94 at Rawson Avenue have been scheduled from Tuesday, May 28 to Friday, May 31.  Details of the scheduled closures and available alternate routes during the closures are as listed below:

Tuesday, May 28, 2013:

• I-94 WEST (NB) between 27th Street and College Avenue is scheduled to be closed overnight from 11 pm to 4:30 am.
• I-94 EAST (SB) at Rawson Avenue is also scheduled to be closed overnight from 11 pm to 4:30 am.

Wednesday, May 29, 2013:

• I-94 WEST (NB) between 27th Street and College Avenue is scheduled to close from 11 pm to 4:30 am.
• I-94 EAST (SB) at Rawson Avenue is also scheduled to be closed overnight from 11 pm to 4:30 am.

Thursday, May 30, 2013:

• I-94 WEST (NB) between 27th Street and College Avenue is scheduled to close from 11 pm to 4:30 am.
• I-94 EAST (SB) at Rawson Avenue is scheduled to be closed overnight from 11 pm to 4:30 am.

Friday, May 31, 2013:

• I-94 WEST (NB) between 27th Street and College Avenue is scheduled to close from 11 pm to 4:30 am.
• I-94 EAST (SB) at Rawson Avenue is scheduled to be closed overnight from 11 pm to 4:30 am.

Alternate Route for I-94 WEST (NB) Traffic:

Traffic on I-94 WEST (NB) should exit at 27th Street, head north on 27th Street, turn right (east) on College Avenue and continue to the I-94 WEST (NB) entrance ramp.

Alternate Route for I-94 EAST (SB) Traffic:

Traffic on I-94 EAST (SB) should exit at Rawson Avenue, head west on Rawson Avenue, turn left (south) on 27th Street continue to I-94 EAST (SB) entrance ramp.

Also note that Rawson Avenue between 13th Street and 20th Street over I-94 will be closed beginning at 6am on Tuesday, May 28 until late June. Local traffic only can access Rawson Avenue between 27th Street and 20th Street.

Please note that additional ramp closures will be implemented as required as part of this work. For a listing of all Project roadway, ramp and lane closures, please refer to the Closure tab on our website: http://plan94.org/ListDailyClosures.do.

All closures are weather-dependent and subject to change. Thank you for your patience during the I-94 N-S Freeway Project's roadway closures.

Motorists are encouraged to help ensure their safety while they work

With warmer weather, many of Wisconsin’s volunteer Adopt-a-Highway (AAH) crews have been springing into action, picking up a winter’s worth of unsightly trash along state highways. Along with helping keep our roadsides clean and green, Wisconsin’s dedicated AAH workers make the state an even more attractive destination for travelers while saving taxpayer dollars. In 2012, Wisconsin AAH groups picked up an estimated 180 tons of trash that was then disposed of by county highway crews.

"We appreciate the work of the volunteers in the Adopt-a-Highway program and we count on the civic leadership of local groups and businesses to partner in keeping roadways looking neat throughout the spring, summer and fall seasons," said David Vieth, director of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s (WisDOT) Bureau of Highway Maintenance.

Vieth announced, "Volunteers this spring can now take advantage of viewing a new instruction video, safety facts sheet, and new safety page under Adopt-a-Highway on the WisDOT web site.

There are currently 3,037 registered AAH groups in Wisconsin. AAH volunteers are typically assigned a highway segment approximately two miles long and are asked to make a "clean sweep" at least three times per year between April 1 and November 1. Currently, of the 11,800 miles of state and Interstate highways in Wisconsin, about 8,268 miles are "adopted" meaning about 3,532 miles of state roadways are available.

The process for adopting a highway is easy. Interested groups should identify a roadway segment they would like to adopt and then go to WisDOT’s web site to fill out an application. If the segment is suitable for adoption, it is assigned to the group. Groups do not work in dangerous areas like medians, bridges or steep slopes.

WisDOT furnishes safety vests and "highway worker" signs, a safety training video, trash bags, and two permanent signs identifying the group. Each group must provide one adult supervisor for every five or six volunteers, and all volunteers must be at least 11 years of age or in the 6th grade to work along two-lane highways, 16 years of age to work along multi-lane highways.

"Our Adopt-a-Highway volunteers and county highway department workers do a great job and we truly appreciate their efforts," Vieth said. "Motorists can do their part by staying alert, slowing down and giving the workers a little extra safety cushion when volunteers are cleaning along roadways."

WisDOT offers the following tips for AAH volunteers:

• Display the "highway worker" signs at both ends of your adopted highway segment to alert motorists that you’re present.
• Wear appropriate clothing including heavy gloves, sturdy footwear and safety vests.
• Don’t get too close to roadway pavement or shoulders and stay away from highway medians, steep slopes and bridges.
• Don’t pick up anything you can’t identify. Potentially hazardous items should be marked with a flag.
• Ensure that the team leader or someone is carrying a cell phone. In case of an emergency, or to report anything illegal or suspicious, contact law enforcement.

For more information, contact: Christa Wollenzien, WisDOT Adopt-a-Highway coordinator at (608) 266-3943, christa.wollenzien@dot.wi.gov.

MOTORIST ALERT - Due to HEAVY CONGESTION on FRIDAY and SUNDAY afternoons between Eau Claire and Osseo,  motorists are strongly encouraged to use alternate routes.  EB traffic should EXIT at US-53 (#70), WB Traffic should exit at WI-121 (#98) and  follow alternate route signs.

I-94 is an east-west principal arterial through Wisconsin that carries interstate traffic from the borders at Minnesota and Illinois. It serves as a significant connection between the Twin Cities in Minnesota to Chicago and plays a major role in the transportation of goods and services.

Work is underway to make improvements along the 117-mile corridor that include replacing and rehabilitating bridges, improving interchanges, and repairing and resurfacing deteriorating concrete.

We ask for your patience as we make improvements to this critical stretch of interstate in Wisconsin.

For more information regarding this, please check out the West Central Freeway Projects page.

30-day closure for bridge re-decking begins

Motorists will encounter delays and a detour as SB I-35E closes between CR-42 and the I-35/35W/35E split at 10 p.m. Friday, May 3.  SB I-35E will be open by June 2.

A signed detour will direct motorists to WB I-494 and SB I-35W in order to bypass the closure.  The road will remain closed for up to 30 days as crews re-deck the bridge spanning I-35W.

In addition, NB I-35W will close between the I-35/35W/3E split and CR-42 at 10 p.m. May, 3 and reopen by 5 a.m. Monday May 6.  A signed detour will direct motorists to NB I-35E.

SB I-35W will close between CR-42 and the I35/35W/35E split at 10 p.m. Saturday, May 4 and reopen by 7 a.m. Sunday, May 5 as crews remove the deck for the I-35E Bridge spanning the roadway.  The detour will direct motorists to I-35 using Buck Hill Road and Crystal Lake Road.

To sign up for the project’s Email Updates or for more information, visit the project’s website at http://www.dot.state.mn.us/metro/projects/i35eelkotoeagan/
  
For real-time travel information anywhere in Minnesota visit www.511mn.org.

27 bridges will be lifted in order from Ashland Avenue to Lake Shore Drive

The lifting of the movable bridges over the Chicago River for recreational boat traffic resumes this weekend, running until the end of June.

Each year, in the spring and fall, the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) raises the movable bridges along the Main and South Branches of the Chicago River to accommodate recreational boats traveling to and from their storage yards.

“The lifting of Chicago’s iconic movable river bridges is a local rite of spring, marking the beginning of the boating season,” said CDOT Commissioner Gabe Klein. “The City coordinates with local boat storage yards each year to create a schedule that accommodates boats while creating the least amount of impact on downtown street traffic.”

During these “boat runs,” the bridges are raised sequentially, typically one at a time. Each bridge lift takes an average of 8-12 minutes. This spring, 27 bridges will be lifted in order from Ashland Avenue Bridge on the South Branch to Lake Shore Drive.

There will be no bridge lifts during the nine-day shutdown of the Wells Street Bridge from April 26th through May 5th, as the north leaf of the historic bridge is replaced.
The Spring 2013 bridge lift schedule is as follows: 

• Wednesday, May 29th at 9:30 a.m.
• Saturday, June 1st at 8 a.m.
• Wednesday, June 5th at 9:30 a.m.
• Saturday, June 8th at 8 a.m.
• Wednesday, June 12th at 9:30 a.m.
• Saturday, June 15th at 8 a.m.
• Wednesday, June 19th at 9:30 a.m.
• Saturday, June 22nd at 8 a.m.
• Wednesday, June 26th at 9:30 a.m.
• Saturday, June 29th at 8 a.m

Secretary Schneider and IDOT's Bureau Chief of Bridges & Structures describe the bridge inspection process and the steps we take at the Illinois Department of Transportation to make sure bridges are safe for motorists.

Click the thumbnail image or the link below to view the video.

http://youtu.be/hUKbFeScP0M

SPRINGFIELD – Governor Pat Quinn issued the following statement regarding the Senate passage of House Joint Resolution 9, allowing the Illinois Tollway to move forward with construction of the $3.4 billion Elgin O’Hare Western Access Project. Governor Quinn secured approval from the U.S. Department of Transportation in January for the project, and the Illinois House of Representatives passed the joint resolution May 1:
 
“I want to thank my friend, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, for his unwavering support for the Elgin O’Hare Western Access Project. This project will help us boost long-term economic development potential in northeastern Illinois and provide good-paying construction jobs for more than a decade,” Governor Quinn said.  “Today, I applaud all members of the General Assembly who supported this important resolution and look forward to breaking ground on this historic project later this year.”
 
The project will provide congestion relief that is projected to save drivers $145 million a year in time and fuel costs. It has the potential to create as many as 65,000 direct and indirect jobs by 2040 when combined with completion of the western terminal at O'Hare International Airport.
 
The resolution’s sponsors and supporters in the Illinois House and Senate include: Sen. Thomas. Cullerton (D-Villa Park), Sen. Michael Noland (D-Elgin), Sen. Christine Radogno (R-Lemont), Sen. John G. Mulroe (D-Chicago), Sen. Karen McConnaughay (R-South Elgin), Sen. Bill Cunningham (D-Chicago), Sen. Kirk Dillard (R-Westmont), Sen. Michael E. Hastings (D-Matteson),Rep. Robert Rita (D-Blue Island), Rep. Marty Moylan (D-Des Plaines), Rep. Michael P. McAuliffe (R-Chicago), Rep. Mike Fortner (R-West Chicago), Rep. Dennis M. Reboletti (R-Addison), Rep. Emmanuel Chris Welch (D-Westchester), Rep. Frances Ann Hurley (D-Chicago) and Rep. Fred Crespo (D-Streamwood).
 
The Elgin O'Hare Western Access Project includes construction of a new, all-electronic toll road around the western border of O'Hare International Airport linking the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) and the Tri-State Tollway (I-294), the extension of the Elgin O'Hare Expressway east along Thorndale Avenue to O'Hare and the rehabilitation and widening of the existing Elgin O'Hare Expressway. The Illinois Tollway is planning to spend $95.6 million in 2013 for work on the project, which is considered a “Project of National and Regional Significance” by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Fast Facts:
- Over the years, MDOT has reduced the number of paper map printed from a high of 2 million maps in 2007, to 1.5 million from 2008 through 2011, to 1 million in 2012, to 750,000 in 2013.
- The 2013 state transportation map is printed in Michigan at a cost of 13 cents per map.
- Print map features Metro Detroit maps and 15 city maps; Web version features maps of Metro Detroit plus 41 city maps.
- Travelers are encouraged to use MDOT's mobile Mi Drive site for real-time traffic information: www.michigan.gov/drive.

The Michigan Department of Transportation's (MDOT) new state transportation map is out, just in time to help travelers plan a "Pure Michigan" adventure. The annual map is again available online and as a paper map, available free at all Michigan Welcome Centers. 

"All signs point to increased travel and tourism as residents and visitors alike discover and rediscover all that Michigan has to offer," said Gov. Rick Snyder. "Michigan is blessed with two peninsulas of natural beauty. I've done a lot of traveling as governor, and I can attest there's no state with more to see and do than our own great state of Michigan."

In addition to the paper map, MDOT's highly interactive mobile site, Mi Drive, offers real-time traffic information, camera views, rest area locations and construction information at www.michigan.gov/drive that travelers can use to plan their routes in advance.

"Although more and more people are going online for directions and travel information, there is still a sizeable segment of the public that wants and uses a paper map," said State Transportation Director Kirk T. Steudle. "Tourism is a major industry in Michigan, and we are pleased to continue the tradition of making the state transportation map available free of charge at all Michigan Welcome Centers."

"These travel maps are a terrific resource for visitors and residents alike who are interested in exploring the natural beauty and one-of-a-kind destinations that make Michigan a favorite four-season destination," said George Zimmermann, vice president of Travel Michigan, part of the Michigan Economic Development Corp.

Printed maps are available free of charge at Michigan Welcome Centers and MDOT offices; a Web-based version has been posted online with Metro Detroit maps and PDFs of 41 city maps. The map is printed in Michigan by Johnston Lithograph, Inc. of Romulus. About 750,000 maps will be produced this year, at a cost of 13 cents per copy.

To view the online version of the state transportation map, request a free copy, get more details, or report a suspected error, go to:  www.michigan.gov/statemap. For Michigan travel news and updates, the spring/summer Pure Michigan guide, and information to plan your next trip, visit www.michigan.org.

Event will provide opportunities for local and national contractors to network with global investors.

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) have announced plans for an international industry forum, entitled: Partnering for Progress: Financing through Public-Private Partnerships for the Illiana Corridor project in Will County, IL. and Lake County, Ind. The two-day event will be held on June 24 & 25, 2013, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL.

“This project represents a tremendous opportunity for Illinois and Indiana,” said Illinois Governor Pat Quinn. “This forum is an important step toward getting a much-needed project off the ground quickly, putting people back to work and keeping the region economically competitive.”

“This forum is the best way for partners to bring their innovative ideas to the table to inform this project, to help shape it, and perhaps make it an example for future infrastructure projects,” said Indiana Governor Mike Pence.

Public Private Partnerships (P3) have been used for decades internationally, and have become a key project implementation strategy over the past 15 years in the United States. A P3 is an agreement between a public agency and a private entity to design, build, finance, operate and maintain a project. The private investor may consist of a team of engineering firms, construction companies and financiers. A typical P3 would involve the private party providing the financing, construction services, and potentially operations and maintenance services over an extended period. Tolling or combinations of fund sources would be used to reimburse the investor over an agreed upon period.

“Illinois and Indiana have been partners on the Illiana Corridor for more than two years and we’re thrilled to be able to showcase our project to an international audience of investors as well as local contractors and laborers,” said IDOT Secretary Ann Schneider. “We’re happy to join Indiana as one of the early adopters in P3 transportation projects.”

The industry forum is expected to attract up to 1,000 attendees, ranging from local laborers, contractors and DBEs to international investors and construction management companies.

Highlights of the conference include: a keynote address from Illinois Governor Pat Quinn and Indiana Governor Mike Pence, a 10,000-square-foot exhibit area for potential contractors, partners and investors, one-on-one meetings with project managers and an evening networking reception. For more information about the Forum and how to register, please visit  www.IllianaCorridor.org/P3.

ABOUT THE ILLIANA CORRIDOR: The Illiana Corridor is a proposed 47-mile access controlled highway facility that extends from I-55 in Illinois on the west to I-65 in Indiana on the east. The preferred corridor is located in Will County in Illinois and Lake County in Indiana. When built, the Illiana Corridor Project will reduce the strain of truck traffic on local roads, thereby improving safety, travel times, and accessibility to jobs. Potential economic benefits include the creation and retention of more than 9,000 construction jobs and more than 25,000 long-term jobs.

NASCAR roars into the Straits of Mackinac! NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion Brad Keselowski and the No. 2 Miller Lite Ford Fusion, also known as the "Blue Deuce," will be featured in a special public event at the Bridge View Park in St. Ignace on Wednesday, May 29. The event is hosted by the Mackinac Bridge Authority (MBA), in cooperation with the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and Michigan International Speedway (MIS).

Traffic will temporarily be stopped while the Blue Deuce crosses the Mackinac Bridge on the way to the 6:20 p.m. public event. All NASCAR fans, media outlets, and members of the public are invited to attend. Media interviews with Keselowski will be available upon request. The Blue Deuce will be on display at the park during the event, so the public is encouraged to bring their cameras.

MBA officials will light the bridge blue at dusk on May 29 in recognition of the Pure Michigan icons. All costs for the lighting and public event are being paid for with private donations. No toll money or taxpayer dollars are being used for this event.

Keselowski is the first Michigan native to become the NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion, the premier stock car motorsports title in the world.

The Illinois Transportation Secretary Ann Schneider today congratulated the "2013 Airport of the Year" award recipients.  Eight Illinois airports were recognized at the Illinois Aviation Conference, held in Moline earlier this week, for their accomplishments throughout the year, including an outstanding partnership with the state of Illinois and their commitment to customer satisfaction.

"We are very proud of the commitment made to ensure the comfort and safety of Illinois travelers," said Schneider.  "These airports set the bar for excellence and we are happy to partner with them to continue to advance aviation and further safe and efficient air travel throughout Illinois."

Each year, representatives of the Illinois Department of Transportation's (IDOT) Division of Aeronautics convene to determine which airports should receive special recognition as "Airport of the Year."  The criteria for the award selections are based on cooperation and coordination with the Division of Aeronautics by airport management and their staff, the facility safety record, promotion of seminars and aviation events and maintenance of the facility.

The Division recognizes airports in the following 7 categories:
 

• Primary Airports
  • Airports with annual enplanements of 10,000 or more passengers.
• Reliever Airports
  • Airports primarily designed to serve General and Corporate Aviation in large metropolitan areas, such as Chicago and St. Louis.
• General Aviation Airports - Category A
  • Airports which accommodate aircraft needing more than 6,000 feet of runway length.      
• General Aviation Airports - Category B
  • Airports important to the aviation system serving aircraft requiring 6,000 or less feet of runway.
• Private - Open to the Public Airports
  • Airports that are privately owned and don't rely on federal or state funds to operate.  These airports have to meet the same safety requirements as publicly owned airports.
• Heliports (Two this year, a rooftop and a ground)
  • All categories including: Public and Private Use Heliports, Hospital Heliports, and RLA Heliports.
• Restaurant of the Year
  • The Division's "Five Prop Award" for fine dining on the airport.

This year's awards recipients are as follows:

• Chicago Rockford International Airport (Rockford, IL) - "Primary Airport of the Year"
• Chicago Executive Airport (Wheeling & Prospect Heights, IL) - "Reliever of the Year"
• DeKalb Taylor Municipal Airport (DeKalb, IL) - "General Aviation - Category 'A' Airport of the Year"
• Illinois Valley Regional Airport (Peru, IL) - "General Aviation - Category 'B' Airport of the Year"
• Percival Springs (Watson, IL) - "Private - Open to the Public Airport of the Year"
• St. Mary's Good Samaritan Regional Health Center (Mt. Vernon, IL) - "Heliport of the Year - Ground Facility"
• St. John's Hospital (Springfield, IL) - "Heliport of the Year - Rooftop Facility"
• The Flight Deck Bar and Grill (located at the Rochelle Municipal Airport) - "Five Prop -  On-Airport Restaurant of the Year"

The Illinois State Aviation System is one of the largest in the nation - it's comprised of over 870 individual landing facilities.  Illinois is home to everything from O'Hare International Airport, to Municipal General Aviation Airports, to private grass strips in farmers' backyards.  IDOT's Division of Aeronautics assists with the creation, improvement and continued operations of both private and public airports through financial assistance (public airports), inspection and technical oversight.  The Division also provides aviation safety and education programs to pilots, aircraft owners, mechanics and industry professionals.  According to a 2012 Statewide Aviation Economic Impact Study, aviation contributes nearly $41 billion annually to the Illinois economy.

For more information about IDOT's Division of Aeronautics, please go to http://www.dot.state.il.us/aero/index.html.

RED LINE  --   Sun, May 19 until Late October, 2013

Red Line South Reconstruction Project: Beginning Sunday, May 19, 2013, the Dan Ryan branch of the Red Line will temporarily closed for five months while we rebuild the tracks from Cermak-Chinatown to 95th/Dan Ryan--a project will provide faster commutes, a smoother ride, improved stations and accessibility and a better passenger experience. Our goal is to provide a number of convenient travel options, and to minimize the project’s impact as much as possible.

For more information and service alternatives, visit redlinesouth.com.

Service Changes Between Roosevelt and 95th

How does this affect my trip?
Trains will operate between Howard and Ashland/63rd via the South Side elevated and Ashland branch (normally used by Green Line trains). Red Line service between Howard and Ashland/63rd will continue to use the Red Line Subway and to operate 24-hours, daily.

Free shuttle bus service will be provided, non-stop between the Garfield elevated station and the closed stations at 69th (#R69), 79th (#R79), 87th (#R87), and 95th (#R95). Overnight, the #R55 free shuttle will provide service between Garfield and 95th, making stops at the closed stations from 63rd to 95th.

In addition, the #R63 free shuttle will provide station-to-station stops between the closed stations from 63rd to 95th. The #R22 free shuttle will provide non-stop service between the Roosevelt station and the closed Cermak-Chinatown station.

Allow extra travel time.

For more information and service alternatives, visit redlinesouth.com.

Why is service being changed?
The Dan Ryan branch of the Red Line will be temporarily closed for rebuilding between Cermak and 95th for the Red Line South Reconstruction Project.

A total of 405 law enforcement agencies throughout Wisconsin will have more officers patrolling for longer hours to crackdown on unbuckled drivers and passengers during the annual Click It or Ticket safety belt enforcement mobilization starting Monday, May 20, through June 2. The number of law enforcement agencies participating in this year’s Click It or Ticket is a record high for Wisconsin.

"Click It or Ticket is more than just a slogan for law enforcement agencies. Whenever officers observe an unbelted motorist, they will stop the vehicle and issue a citation," says Wisconsin State Patrol Major Sandra Huxtable, director of the Bureau of Transportation Safety. "Last year in Wisconsin, there were nearly 105,000 convictions for failure to fasten safety belts. Among all traffic violations in Wisconsin, safety belt convictions were second only to speeding convictions."

According to Major Huxtable, approximately one out of five motorists in Wisconsin does not buckle up. Wisconsin’s safety belt use rate of approximately 80 percent lags behind the national average of 86 percent and neighboring states all of which have safety belt use rates higher than 90 percent.

"Consistent safety belt use is the single most effective way to protect people from being ejected from a vehicle or thrown around violently inside it during a crash and possibly hitting another vehicle occupant with massive force," she says. "Our goal during Click It or Ticket and throughout the year is not to write more tickets. Through enforcement and education, we’re trying to convince everyone to buckle up voluntarily so that ultimately we can reduce the number of preventable traffic deaths to zero in Wisconsin. We all must do our part, and that starts by buckling up every trip, every time."

Fast Facts:
- May is National Bike Month; May 13-17 is Bike to Work Week.
- There were 1,970 reported crashes involving bicyclists in Michigan in 2012, resulting in 1,598 injuries and 20 fatalities.
- Fatal crashes involving bicyclists remains disproportionately high compared to other crash types.

May is National Bike Month, and the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) reminds motorists to be aware of bicyclists on Michigan roads. In 2012, there were 1,970 reported crashes involving bicyclists in Michigan resulting in 1,598 injuries and 20 fatalities. MDOT says that while the number of fatalities is down 17 percent (there were 24 fatalities in 2011), fatal crashes involving bicyclists remains disproportionately high compared to other roadway users or crash types.

"While this data suggests some improvement, drivers must remain focused at all times when they get behind the wheel and share the road," said State Transportation Director Kirk T. Steudle. "These crashes are avoidable. Drivers should always be alert and pass slower moving traffic, including bicyclists, from a safe distance."

In addition to May being National Bike Month, Bike to Work Week is May 13-17, with Friday, May 17, designated as Bike to Work Day.

"We join other transportation agencies to raise awareness and promote our safety message: 'Give 'em Space, Make it Safe, Please Share the Road,'" said Steudle.

Motorists are cautioned to pay close attention when driving near bicyclists and pedestrians as the warmer spring months lure people outdoors. Michigan has a growing number of bike lanes and thousands of miles of shared-use pathways that bicyclists can use and enjoy.

For maps and other important information, including "What Every Michigan Driver Should Know About Bike Lanes," check out www.michigan.gov/mdot-biking.

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) today announced the kickoff of the 2013 Click It or Ticket mobilization, running now through Memorial Day. Young males, 18-34, represented a third of the 955 people who died on Illinois roadways last year, accounting for 317 deaths. Bringing this message home was seat belt advocate, Melissa Ledezma, who discussed her family's crusade to save lives by wearing seat belts after losing their teenage son in a crash while not buckled up.

The Illinois State Police and more than 500 local law enforcement agencies will be cracking down on seat belt law violators from now through Memorial Day weekend. During the two-week mobilization, police will be directing extra enforcement of seat belt, impaired driving and other traffic laws during all hours of the day and night, with a large number of patrols occurring during late-night hours. In addition, special emphasis will be placed on late-afternoon hours when data shows unbuckled motor vehicle fatalities begin to rise.

Data shows that seat belt use begins to decline drastically in the nighttime hours (9pm-6am), but a significant decline in seat belt use begins in the 4pm hour on Illinois roadways. For the five years of 2008 through 2012, during the hours of 7am-3pm, 36 percent of those who died in crashes were not belted. That rises significantly beginning at 4pm when 43 percent of individuals suffering fatal injuries were not properly belted. Belt use continues to decline well into the night.

For this reason, IDOT, the Illinois State Police and local law enforcement agencies statewide are reminding motorists that seat belt enforcement will be stepped up in the coming weeks. That means, during rush hour, motorists choosing to not buckle up are more likely to receive a ticket.

Since the Click It or Ticket campaign began in July 2003, seat belt usage has jumped to 93.6 percent in Illinois, one of the nation's highest seat belt usage rates. The increase in seat belt use has resulted in thousands of lives saved in that time, and is responsible for a direct decline in Illinois motor vehicle fatalities.

"Even with 9 out of 10 motorists buckling up in Illinois, far too many people are still dying unbuckled, especially during certain times of the day," said Illinois Department of Transportation Ann L. Schneider. "IDOT, the Illinois State Police and hundreds of great local police and sheriff's departments are saying today that this needs to change.

"IDOT is utilizing federal safety dollars to assist Illinois law enforcement to provide more seat belt enforcement. They'll be out there during rush hour, during the morning commute and during those late night hours when the most unbuckled fatalities occur. If you're caught unbuckled or driving drunk, you'll be given a ticket or arrested. It is not about money; it's not about tickets. It's about saving lives."

More than 1.2 million in federal safety dollars has been made available to the Illinois State Police and more than 540 local law enforcement agencies to provide additional safety belt and drunk driving patrols during the two-week Click It or Ticket mobilization period. These grants fund thousands of seat belt enforcement zones and seat belt saturation patrols. Fifty percent or more of these patrols will occur during nighttime hours (9 p.m. to 6 a.m.). The mobilization also includes drunk driving enforcement with over 50 roadside safety checks. For more information about the Click It or Ticket campaign in Illinois, go to www.buckleupillinois.org.
 

Illinois Motor Vehicle Fatalities by Time of Day and Safety Belt Use 2008-2012

The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) is developing plans for the proposed US 40 east and west bound bridge replacements over Clear Creek, approximately 0.5 mile east of I-70, located in Vigo County.

The project proposes total replacement of the existing structures, superstructures, and wingwalls. The expected lengths of the new bridges are approximately 155 feet and would include three-spans. The total of the bridges width are approximately 44 feet with standard guard rail installed as appropriate. Additional clearing along Clear Creek embankments is expected to remove trees and brush for widening the creek channel width at the crossings with US 40 east bound lanes. Construction of the project will require approximately 7.4 acres of new permanent right-of-way with no residential or commercial displacements involved. Traffic is proposed to be open to traffic via the use of crossovers, with the US 40 East Bridge being the first constructed.

Total costs of the projects will be provided with both federal and state funds being used for construction of the project. However construction of the project is contingent upon available funding.  The Federal Highway Administration and the Indiana Department of Transportation have agreed that this project falls within the guidelines of a Categorical Exclusion Level 2 with no effect to wetlands.

Preliminary design plans, along with the environmental document and other information, are being made avail­able for review in the following offices.

1. Planning Department, Indiana Department of Transporta­tion District at 41 West 300 North, Crawfordsville, IN 47933, Phone # (888) 924-6368

2. Hearings Examiner, Room N642 of the Indiana Government Center North, 100 North Senate Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46204‑2216, Phone # (317) 234-0796

3. Vigo Co Public Library-West Branch, 626 West National Ave, West Terre Haute, IN 47885 Phone # (812) 235-2121

All interested persons may request a public hearing or express their concerns by submitting comments to the attention of Mary Wright, Public Hearing Examiner at INDOT, Room N642, 100 North Senate Avenue, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204-2216 on or before Wednesday, May 22, 2013.  If a hearing is determined to be in the best interest of the public, a notice will be advertised with the date, time, and place. Otherwise, all comments or materials received for the record will be considered as part of the decision-making process for this project.

This notice is published in compliance with Code of Federal Regulations, Title 23, Section 771 (CFR 771.111(h)(1) states: "Each State must have procedures approved by the FHWA to carry out a public involvement/public hearing program." 23 CFR 450.212(a)(7) states: "Public involvement procedures shall provide for periodic review of the effectiveness of the public involvement process to ensure that the process provides full and open access to all and revision of the process as necessary.", approved by the Federal Highway Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation on August 16, 2012. INDOT, Mary Wright, Public Hearing Examiner, Phone # (317) 234-0796, E-Mail: mwright@indot.IN.gov

Learn about the Slow Down, Share the Road program, Chicago's Pedestrian Safety Initiative, teen driver safety tips, and more in the latest edition of our CAUTION! Magazine.

http://www.cautionmagazine.org/Spring2013/Spring2013.html

Click the top corner of the pages to turn to the next page.

Past issues of CAUTION! Magazine are located here: http://www.cautionmagazine.org/issueindex.asp. Click on the cover of a past issue to view it.

In this edition of On the Move, Secretary Schneider shows you how we are taking a multimodal approach at IDOT. You'll see some of the different modes of transportation and how they work together for your benefit.

Click the thumbnail image or the link below to view the video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Veq_ywyzXUE

On behalf of Illinois Governor Pat Quinn and Illinois Transportation Secretary Ann L. Schneider, the Illinois Department of Transportation would like to welcome you to the Winning with the State Business Forum II at Malcolm X College, Chicago on Monday, June 3rd from 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

Winning with the State is a collaboration between various state agencies to help provide minority businesses with an opportunity to learn about business tools to foster greater participation on state contracts.  As a part of Governor Quinn's commitment, we want to make it a priority to have fair access to opportunities within state government.

Contact information: Kandace Hall at Kandace.Hall@illinois.gov

Location information:

Malcolm X College
1900 West Van Buren
Chicago, IL 60612
(312) 850-7000
malcolmx.ccc.edu

Directions to Malcolm X College

• From Downtown:  Take Congress Pkwy west to I-290 (Eisenhower/Western Suburbs), exit Damen Ave. Turn right at the light; proceed to Jackson Blvd. (next light). Turn right. The Malcolm X College parking lot is on the left hand side of the street.
• From North:  Take I-90/94 (Kennedy/Edens) east to I-290 (Eisenhower/Western Suburbs), exit Damen Ave. Turn right at the light; proceed to Jackson Blvd. (next light). Turn right. The Malcolm X College parking lot is on the left hand side of the street.
• From South:  Take I-90/94 (Dan Ryan) west to I-290 (Eisenhower/Western Suburbs), exit Damen Ave. Turn right at the light; proceed to Jackson Blvd. (next light). Turn right. The Malcolm X College parking lot is on the left hand side of the street.
• From West:  Take I-290 (Eisenhower/Western Suburbs), exit Damen Ave. Turn right at the light; proceed to Jackson Blvd. (next light). Turn right. The Malcolm X College parking lot is on the left hand side of the street.

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) announced plans to construct three overlay demonstration sections featuring the most environmentally friendly Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) surface mixture ever developed in Illinois and perhaps the nation. Dubbed "Total Recycle Asphalt," the HMA paving mixture contains more than 97 percent reclaimed and recycled materials. The demonstration projects using total recycle asphalt are on the April 26 letting and are expected to reduce paving costs.

"We recycle and use over a million tons of reclaimed materials on our highways annually as a matter of everyday practice," said Illinois Transportation Secretary Ann L. Schneider. "We believe Total Recycle Asphalt will take Illinois to a new level of environmental sustainability, and we hope it will inspire others to follow our lead."

The demonstration projects will help the department evaluate the mix, measure the overall cost, and establish its performance over time. Using Total Recycle Asphalt is expected to produce savings of about 20 percent for IDOT and local agencies using the new mix, compared to similar traditional HMA mixes.

A demonstration project is when a new material or construction method is utilized. This provides an opportunity for the department to see first-hand how the new material or method works. It is then evaluated to determine if it should be considered as a part of the common process.

Recycled components of this surface mix include Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement from pavement millings, crushed concrete from public works projects, steel slag, a by-product from production of steel, and Reclaimed Asphalt Shingles from re-roofing of houses. There was no requirement for newly mined aggregate for the mix. Additionally, only a small amount of new liquid asphalt is required in mix production for durability. The new liquid asphalt provides a very soft grade of asphalt to effectively counter the hard and aged recycled asphalt from reclaimed pavement and shingles.

IDOT's Region 1 Materials Lab over several months has developed a number of trial mixes while testing different combinations of various reclaimed materials.

For more information on the April 26 letting, visit http://www.dot.il.gov/desenv/042613/042613letg.html.

The Illinois Department of Transportation joined the Williamson County Sheriff's Office, Illinois State Police, and other agencies at the 5th Annual Williamson County Traffic Safety Days.

This event is designed to supplement and reinforce classroom and behind-the-wheel instruction for driver's education students. This event uses presentations and active participation to deliver important safe-driving information to the students.
 
Click the thumbnail image or the link below to view the video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nb_p8zZRBHE

Work is part of the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) Rebuilding and Widening Project

Westbound traffic on the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) between Irene Road near Belvidere and I-39 will be reduced to one lane this week and an alternate route posted to offer drivers the option to travel west via U.S. Route 20 to reach I-90 and I-39. Two lanes will remain available for eastbound traffic.
The Illinois Tollway is rebuilding and widening the Kishwaukee River Bridge as part of the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) Rebuilding and Widening Project. Because the existing Kishwaukee River Bridge is not wide enough to maintain four lanes of traffic and provide a work zone during construction, two eastbound lanes and one westbound lane will be available for I-90 traffic in 2013.

“We know that this construction is not without inconvenience and are offering another route for our customers to take when westbound traffic is heavy,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Kristi Lafleur. “When we’re done, drivers will have a new, wider roadway that will improve travel between Rockford and Chicago.”
Beginning on Thursday, April 4, the westbound lanes will be reduced to one lane and the alternate route will be posted as an option directing westbound traffic to exit at Irene Road and travel west on U.S. Route 20 to reach I-90 and I-39. The alternate route will remain in place through the end of this year. However, roadway work on I-90 between Rockford and Elgin will continue and is scheduled to be complete by the end of 2014.

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. A 45 mph speed limit will be in place.
Rebuilding and widening bridges and roadway on the 54-year-old Jane Addams Memorial Tollway is part of the 15-year, $12 billion capital program, Move Illinois: The Illinois Tollway Driving the Future. When the $2.2 billion project is complete, I-90 will be a 21st century, state-of-the-art corridor linking Rockford to O'Hare Airport with eight lanes from the Kennedy Expressway to Randall Road and six lanes from Randall Road to I-39.
For more detailed information about Illinois Tollway construction projects, please visit “Projects By Roadway” in the Construction/Planning section on the Tollway’s website www.illinoistollway.com.

Pursuant to Section 349.16 (1) (a) of the Wisconsin Statutes, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Northwest Region announced the seasonal posting of weight limits on area state highways.

The weight restrictions are 6 tons gross load for single axle vehicles and 10 tons gross load for tandem axle vehicles (any two axles under 8 feet apart). The maximum gross weight is 24 tons. School buses, trucks hauling milk, garbage, heating fuel and septic materials are exempt from seasonal load limits in accordance with section 349.16 (3) Wisconsin Statutes.

Seasonal weight restrictions are effective as of noon on Friday, March 29, 2013 on the following highways:

• WI-169, Ashland County, WI-13 northeast to the Iron County line
• WI-169, Iron County, Ashland County line northeast to WI-2

Seasonal weight restrictions are placed on specific highways during the spring thaw period. The restrictions are added to routes that have poor foundations, with the goal of preventing pavement damage from legal-weight loads. In the event of unpredicted cold weather, the postings in each county may be delayed as conditions require and will become effective at the discretion of the State Highway Engineer.

For more information, contact: Chris Ouellette, (715) 833-9814, chris.ouellette@dot.wi.gov.

A $486 million in road and bridge projects will be started this spring - one of the largest early-season construction programs in the state's history. This announcement is part of a plan to create jobs and drive Illinois' economy forward by investing in our transportation systems. A list of nearly 200 road and bridge projects across the state that will begin in the coming weeks.

A $32 million investment will rebuild the Stony Island Feeder to the Bishop Ford Freeway/I-94 on Chicago's South Side. The project at the interchange, which handles up to 64,000 vehicles per day, involves the repair, reconstruction, removal and replacement of seven bridges. Scheduled for completion in 2014, the project also involves resurfacing and replacing pavement and intersection improvements. Upgrades to the lighting and signage will improve safety and make it easier for drivers to navigate the interchange.

IDOT also announced additional Chicago-area transportation investments including: a $19.4 million bridge replacement project at Cumberland Avenue over the Kennedy Expressway, $3.5 million in additional bridge repairs on the Kennedy, and $2.6 million on resurfacing projects on IL Rt. 43/Harlem Avenue at Higgins Avenue in Chicago and on West 127th Street in Crestwood.

On many of the projects, IDOT is offering contractors a reimbursement rate of $10 an hour for hiring graduates of the Highway Construction Careers Training Program, an IDOT-sponsored initiative to encourage women and minorities to pursue careers in the transportation construction industry.

In 2009 the Illinois Jobs Now! was spearheaded, the state's first capital construction program in a decade. The $31 billion capital construction program is the largest in Illinois history, supporting an estimated 439,000 construction jobs. The program includes $14 billion for transportation through 2015. Of the $14 billion in the program dedicated for transportation needs, IDOT has awarded 5,336 projects worth $12.68 billion, creating and supporting 160,000 jobs. These have included improvements to 6,809 miles of roadways and 1,113 bridges.

Combined with the Illinois Tollway's $12 billion capital program, Move Illinois: The Illinois Tollway Driving the Future, the state of Illinois is carrying out one of the largest capital construction efforts in the nation.
For a list of projects, please see attached.  For more information on the work being carried out by IDOT this spring, go to: http://www.dot.il.gov/desenv/042613/042613letg.html.

The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) has closed the IN-152 bridge (Nine Span bridge) over the IHB rail yard. The old structure will be demolished and a replacement will be built. The new bridge is expected to open by the end of 2013.

A detour will take NB traffic south on IN-152 (Indianapolis Blvd.), east on I-80/94, north on IN-912 (Cline Ave.), and west on US-20 (Michigan St.). SB traffic will travel east on US-20 (Michigan St.), south on IN-912 (Cline Ave.), west on I-80/94, and north on IN-152 (Indianapolis Blvd.).

For updates on the Nine Span bridge project, in addition to winter weather updates and news from INDOT in Northwest Indiana, like us at Facebook.com/INDOTNorthwest and follow us at Twitter.com/INDOTNorthwest.

You can find traffic restriction information at www.trafficwise.IN.gov.  Contact the LaPorte District toll free at 1-855-GO-INDOT

The (IL-106/100) Florence Bridge over the Illinois River at the Scott/Pike County line will be closed until further notice due to safety issues. Traffic is being redirected to the I-72 bridge.

Travelmidwest.com has always displayed information on arterial road construction and traffic incidents.  With the addition of information from the City of Chicago and Lake County, Illinois, the Gateway Traveler Information System and travelmidwest.com website now contain congestion information on arterial streets to supplement the incident and construction data.

 Road congestion for the City of Chicago uses data from its Traffic Tracker application.  The Traffic Tracker uses GPS-equipped CTA buses to determine congestion on the route.  The speed of the buses is taken as a reasonable indication of the overall flow of traffic on these routes.

Congestion data on arterial roads in Lake County, Illinois, is supplied by the Lake County Passage system.  A mix of traffic probe types provides the raw data for the algorithms used to compute the relative congestion.

The congestion levels are determined by traffic speeds.  Since the speed limit on arterial streets is lower than those on expressways, the congestion levels are adjusted accordingly.  As an example, a speed which would signify heavy congestion on an expressway represents close to free flowing conditions on an arterial road.

Arterial information may be added to the map or removed from the map by toggling the map controls.  This allows website users to customize the map features based on their specific traveler information needs.

On November 4th, 2010, the Travel Midwest Truckers Report won the ITS Midwest Project of the Year award.  While commercial vehicles provide a significant portion of the traffic on both interstates and arterials in the Travel Midwest area, there was no single location where the unique data needs of the trucking community were addressed. As a result, it was determined that the revised Travelmidwest.com web site should have a section addressing the unique commercial carrier needs. This section is titled the Travel Midwest Truckers Report.

Gateway Traveler Information System Honored as ITS-Midwest 2009 Project of the Year At its 2009 Annual Meeting held in Indianapolis, Indiana; the Intelligent Transportation Society-Midwest Chapter composed of the state societies in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio honored the Gateway Traveler Information System website and related operations as ITS-Midwest Project of the Year.

As regular visitors to the site can attest, the scope of available information has been dramatically increased as the Gateway expanded staff for 24/7/365 coverage. Besides the addition of Michigan to the coverage area, the Gateway now boasts information from the Mississippi River to the Ohio border in the four state (Illinois-Indiana-Michigan-Wisconsin) coverage area.

The roadwork and incident information are augmented by impacts from special events such as parades, marathons, and other celebrations. The data on area Interstates and limited access highways is supplemented by arterial information. Though congestion and travel times are not available for these arterials, construction and incidents resulting in blockage are displayed to give drivers in the area the most comprehensive picture of traffic conditions and thereby aid them in making truly informed travel choices.

In an effort to improve services that we provide to our valued customers and users, the Gateway Traveler Information System has implemented a user survey. The survey asks about your preferences in using the TravelMidwest web site and the Illinois Traffic Alert System and seeks input from you on which new features that you would like to see on the site. The survey is completely anonymous and takes less than two minutes to complete. The results will help us to focus our ongoing efforts on the features that our users find most useful. Please take a moment to fill out our User Survey and help us to provide better service. In addition, feel free to send any other comments you have about the site to Webmaster.

Through an initiative created by IDOT, seven public transportation agencies have launched a public education campaign called Drive Less, Live More. Partners include the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA), the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP), the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority (ISTHA), Metra and Pace. This campaign is designed to provide drivers with easy access to information that provides alternatives to driving. A key part of the campaign is the www.drivelesslivemore.com web site which was funded under a CMAQ grant from the FHWA. The web site features a trip planner, transit system maps and schedules, travel advisories and a commute-cost calculator.

In addition to the website, the campaign will also feature billboards, radio advertising and promotions to promote driving alternatives such as public transit, vanpools, biking and rollerblading.  

Keep Us Alive Drive 45 is our commitment to keep workers and motorists safe in work zones. Each year, many people are killed in construction zone accidents, both commuters and workers. Please abide the posted speed limit in work zones. When workers are present, it's 45 M.P.H. - It's The Law.

Join us in our pledge to increase awareness and promote safe driving in our work zones by displaying an orange ribbon. Together we can make our roadways a safer place to commute and work. With your help, we can see to it that a construction zone is not an end zone.

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and its partner, the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), have developed the Illinois Traffic Alert System. You may register to receive customized traffic reports containing vehicle speeds, travel times, construction, congestion and incident information through your e-mail inbox, cell phone text messaging or other e-mail enabled mobile device. The system is initially being deployed in the Chicagoland area as part of IDOT's congestion mitigation effort. When you register, follow the instructions in order to:

1. Choose the roadway segments about which you want to be notified
2. Select the two times of day when you want to receive alerts
3. Select the days of the week you want to receive alerts
4. Customize alerts so you will receive them only if the average speed on the road is below what you select
5. Customize the type of data you want to receive: incidents, construction, congestion and/or travel times