Tag Archives: IDOT
Critics Question IDOT Plan To Improve Circle Interchange
The Illinois Department of Transportation has plans to improve Chicago’s notoriously congested Circle Interchange.
The state agency plans to spend over $400 million to improve the traffic flow and decrease the congestion where the Dan Ryan (I-90), Kennedy ( I-94) and Eisenhower (I-290) slam into each at the foot of Congress Parkway.
But according to Streetsblog Chicago, there are a handful of organizations and transportation planners are at best skeptical and at worst highly critical of all of IDOT’s proposed plans.
IDOT Blocking Expansion Of Protected Bike Lanes
A lone biker rides Dearborn Avenue's protected bike lanes
The Illinois Department of Transportation seems to becoming an obstacle in Chicago’s goal to install over 100 miles of protected bike lanes.
According to Streetsblog Chicago, there are portions of roadway within the Chicago city limits in which IDOT has jurisdiction. For this reason, the state transportation agency must sign off on any structural changes to those stretches of roadway.
Streetsblog Chicago lists some of these roads including Jackson Blvd., Clybourn, Diversey, Lincoln Park West, Washington, Adams, Pershing and Archer.
But IDOT won’t sign off without more traffic safety data–at least three years worth. Which means the city will have to wait until at least 2014 to move forward with protected bike lanes on those particular streets under IDOT jurisdiction.
Be Safe On Super Bowl Sunday
If you’re hosting or planning to attend a Superbowl party on Sunday, the Illinois Department of Transportation and Illinois State Police are suggesting you enjoy the big game responsibly to ensure you get home safe.
“We hope everyone enjoys the festivities of Super Bowl Weekend, but we want to remind everyone – before you decide to drink- to choose a sober designated driver,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Anne Schneider. “We want
you to hand off your keys to ensure you, your passengers and everyone on our roadways can return home safely. Drunk driving is always preventable, and driving drunk or buzzed could result in seriously injuring or killing yourself or someone else.”
Last year, four people in Illinois died in car crashes on Superbowl Sunday–three of them involving alcohol.
Illinois State Police and local law enforcement plan on stepping up their enforcement and will be extra vigilant for impaired drivers on Sunday.
Tribune: Half The Kids Hit By Cars Within A Block Of Schools
The Chicago Tribune has been crunching some numbers.
Looking over Illinois Department of Transportation pedestrian crash data between 2007 and 2011, the newspaper calculates almost 1,700 school age children (between 5-18 years old), were struck by vehicles within a block of a school. This number accounts for 10% of all pedestrian crashes.
The Trib says 16,500 pedestrian crashes occurred in this five year period, with about 22% involving children.
Overnight Closures Of Congress Parkway Bridge Start Sunday
Aerial view of the Congress Parkway Bridge
Starting Sunday, January 6th, all inbound lanes over the Congress Parkway Bridge will be closed overnight to finish testing.
This testing of the new bascule bridge will take place four nights in a row, beginning Sunday and ending Wednesday according to the Illinois Department of Transportation.
According to Illinois state spokesperson Mike Claffey, this testing will mark the official end to the construction project which first began in Spring of 2010.
“We’re almost there,” said Claffey. “This is supposed to be the final round of testing. The contractor is doing final testing on the control system and alarms.”
The Congress Parkway Bridge sports a drawbridge over the Chicago River to allow tall masted sailing ships to move between the river and Lake Michigan.
IDOT, State Police Pushing Safety For New Year’s Holiday
State agencies encouraging drivers to celebrate responsibly this New Year's
It’s the most dangerous holiday of the year.
According to AAA, and analysis of NHTSA historical crash data, New Year’s Eve/New Year’s Day is far and away the deadliest holiday of the year.
That’s why the Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois State Police and over 300 law enforcement agencies across the state will be stepping up efforts to reduce traffic fatalities this New Year’s.
With just a few days left in 2012, state traffic fatalities are at 946 compared to 918 in 2011–a 3% increase.
These sobering numbers are another reason IDOT’s “Drive To Survive” campaign is ramping up for the holiday with more roadside safety checks, safety belt enforcement zones and generally heavier traffic patrols and enforcement by state, county and municipal police departments.
IDOT Announces Overnight Closures Of Congress Parkway Bridge Over Next 2 Weeks
Aerial view of the Congress Parkway Bridge
Gee, thanks for the heads up IDOT.
Late Monday, the Illinois Department of Transportation spit out a press release announcing two weeks of overnight closures of the Congress Parkway Bridge–which began that same Monday night.
Congress Parkway, and in particular its namesake bridge spanning the South Branch of the Chicago River, has been under construction for nearly two years due to a major rehab project to address major structural issues as well as improve the aesthetics of one of Chicago’s most famous entrance points into the city. The original bridge was built back in 1955.
The closures are needed to complete final testing of the new bascule bridge on Congress and will include full closures of the Eisenhower (I-290) at the Circle Interchange and closures of the ramps from the Dan Ryan Expressway (I-90/94) and the Kennedy Expressway (I-90/94).
The closures will begin Monday night and will go through December 12th, weather permitting.
AAA, INRIX: Drivers Should Leave Early This Thanksgiving
Everything is up for drivers this Thanksgiving holiday.
Traffic is expected to be up, law enforcement will be up and even gas prices are up.
And if motorists want to avoid spending the majority of their holiday stuck in traffic, two automobile related services are encouraging drivers to start their trips sooner than later.
Wednesday–The Great Escape
Zombies Attack In Click It Or Ticket Ad Campaign
Virginia is for lovers and Halloween is for zombies.
Despite the fact that this public service announcement was actually released back in May, in the spirit of Halloween, we thought we’d share IDOT’s “Zombie” click it or ticket video reminding drivers to wear their seat belts–even if you’re in the back seat of the vehicle.
Actually, these are pretty decent ads as they lack the usual overbearing hectoring of a typical lame PSA. The cleverness and sense of humor makes it effective in our opinion. Of course, perhaps we’re just suckers for zombies here.
Below is a bonus video, the second of three in the campaign. The third one is in Spanish. How does one say “Click it or ticket” or “zombie” in Spanish?
IDOT Launches New YouTube Video Series
The Illinois Department of Transportation launched a new YouTube video series this week aptly called “On The Move.”
IDOT says videos will be produced on an ongoing basis and allow Illinois Transportation Secretary Ann Schneider to keep Illinois citizens up to date on state transportation issues.
“This video series is an opportunity for me to provide further details on several imperative topics here at IDOT and also to elaborate on what we are working on to help keep you, the motorist, informed, said Schneider in a press release. “I look forward to discussing new projects and initiatives as well as letting you know how you can help us keep our roads safe.”
The inaugural video of the series concentrates on traffic safety. Schneider gives the lowdown on those digital billboard displays which keep a running total of the number of traffic fatalities which have occurred on roads within the state and then spends some time passing on some solid traffic safety tips.
Here’s the link to IDOT’s YouTube channel.
