Tollway Stories & More—2024 Volume 03

Volume 3, 2024

Illinois Tollway Draws A Crowd at the Chicago Auto Show

Surrounded by flashy new cars and SUVs at the Chicago Auto Show, the Illinois Tollway’s pop-up customer service center attracted visitors looking to obtain the latest driver-friendly Tollway technology: I-PASS Sticker Tags.

Tollway staff working at the 10-day show in February distributed more than 38,000 I-PASS Sticker Tags to customers looking to update their I-PASS transponders to the new sticker tag technology and make sure they have an I-PASS in all of their vehicles.

An estimated 1,500 customers a day stopped by the Tollway booth for sticker tags, as well as for assistance in downloading the Official Illinois Tollway App and setting up and managing I-PASS and Pay By Plate accounts.

But the star attraction at the show was the Tollway’s massive snow plow, which drew crowds of children—and some adults—eager to climb into its cab to check out the views from the driver’s seat experienced by Tollway road workers who use the trucks to keep roads clear and safe during winter storms.

ACEC Illinois Recognizes Illinois Tollway Projects for Engineering Excellence

The Mile Long Bridge Project on the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) has been voted the best transportation infrastructure project in Illinois through online voting for the Engineering Works Award by the state engineering community and general public.

It’s is one of several honors Illinois Tollway projects and its engineering teams received at the American Council of Engineering Companies of Illinois’s annual Engineering Excellence Awards Gala in Rosemont.

Illinois Tollway Plays Key Leadership Role in Global Tolling Industry

The Illinois Tollway is taking a greater leadership role in the worldwide tolling industry while developing the next generation of leaders.

Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse shared her insights on the tolling industry with a group of nearly 40 emerging toll industry professionals as part of the annual IBTTA Leadership Academy. This year’s theme was, “Building Your Future Together.”

Installation of SmartRoad Gantries Beginning on Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294)

Work has started and will continue through March for the installation of 14 over-the-road SmartRoad gantries as part of the Central Tri-State (I-294) Project.

The Illinois Tollway is installing the new SmartRoad gantries as part of active traffic management technology that will make travel more efficient for Tollway customers.

Each of the new SmartRoad gantries installed will be equipped with electronic signage and message boards that will be operational upon completion of the reconstruction and widening work on the northern section of the Central Tri-State Tollway between Balmoral Avenue and St. Charles Road by the end of 2024 and after the new SmartRoad system installation and testing is complete. The new gantries will not be used for toll collection or toll violation enforcement.

Move Illinois Quarterly Meeting Follow-Up

Nearly 350 engineering professionals attended the first Move Illinois Quarterly of the year. Following a welcome by Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse and Board Director Scott Paddock, participants engaged in interactive feedback sessions with specific questions and themes explored to inform the Illinois Tollway’s strategic and capital planning process.

Approval of Resolution 22805 Recognizing Illinois Engineering Week And National Engineers Week

Engineers at The Illinois State Toll Highway Authority (“Tollway”) work to improve the region’s evolving transportation infrastructure, increase safety and promote the regional economy by collaborating with regional transportation entities, fostering environmental responsibility and sustainability, maintaining the safety and efficiency of the Tollway system and furthering improvements to the regional transportation network through the Tollway’s 16-year, $15.2 billion capital program, Move Illinois.