Volume 7, 2024

Illinois Tollway Supports IBTTA "Be Safe Together" Road Safety Campaign And Global Road Safety Week

As a member of the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA), the Illinois Tollway is joining a new global road safety campaign to educate drivers about the actions they can take to make our roads safer for all users.


The “Be Safe Together” campaign began with the first Global Road Safety Week, June 24-28, showcasing the tolling industry’s commitment to safety through our work to build and maintain safe roads and emphasizing to drivers that the little choices they make at each step of their journey can make a real difference in others’ lives.

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Investing In The Future–Stakeholder Advisory Team Work Continues

Tollway leaders and the Stakeholder Advisory Team gathered for a second meeting in June to discuss and define how Diversity and Inclusion and Innovation can be integrated into the Tollway's next multi-year capital plan. And, SAT members took a field trip to tour roadway operations at the Bensenville (M-16) maintenance site and construction worksites on the I-490 Tollway Project. Chicago Department of Aviation Commissioner Jamie Rhee and business and local leaders from the villages of Bensenville and Franklin Park joined on site to talk about the economic development benefits the Tollway is providing. Learn more here.

Japanese Engineers And Executives Visit To Exchange Insights On Roadway Maintenance Innovations And Best Practices

A delegation of about 20 engineers and executive from the Express Highway Research Foundation of Japan recently visited the Illinois Tollway in Downers Grove to learn about Tollway roadway maintenance and incident management operations and to share details about how they are tackling challenges in Japan. 


“Exchanging knowledge through meetings like this is a great way for both our agencies to learn from one another so we can continue to grow, innovate and improve,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. “This meeting marked an important step in our ongoing commitment to collaboration and sharing knowledge with our peers in the global transportation community.” 

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Illinois Tollway Joins International Tolling Industry Discussion On Innovative Approaches To Transportation Infrastructure Funding

A who’s who of transportation and tolling industry experts and professionals – individuals and organizations – came together in Maryland this month to further the common goal of working to move the needle on new solutions for improving roadside and back-office financial systems.


Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse and staff participated in the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association’s Finance and Road Usage Charging Summit and focused squarely on the important issues and funding challenges facing infrastructure project delivery and transportation operations.

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ConstructionWorks Now Serving Chicago's West Side Businesses

Now serving the West Side, ConstructionWorks assists men and women entering careers in the heavy highway and related construction industry. 


Thanks to People’s Church of the Harvest for hosting our first event in the area. 


ConstructionWorks is funded by the Tollway and administered by the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership.

New Look, New Safety Features For Highway Emergency Lane Patrol (H.E.L.P.) Trucks On Tollway

They’re a familiar sight on the Illinois Tollway, but the Highway Emergency Lane Patrol (H.E.L.P.) trucks are getting a new look and additional features to allow Tollway workers to more safely assist drivers, remove roadway debris and respond to traffic incidents.

 

The Tollway is updating the vehicles with a high-visibility color scheme, adding new lighting and installing a plow-like tool that allows Tollway workers to remove roadway debris without leaving their vehicle.

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Internships Providing Opportunities For Students To Gain Real-World Work Experiences

The Illinois Tollway continues to nurture the next generation of engineers and transportation industry professionals through its internship program. 

 

“As part of our efforts to build a pipeline of future leaders, we are providing our interns with opportunities to gain practical, hands-on experience by applying their academic skills to ongoing programs, projects and initiatives,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. “Our interns are working in collaboration with some of the most knowledgeable professionals in the transportation industry, who mentor and guide students to acquire valuable workplace experiences that will help further their careers.”

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Helping To Build Futures

The Illinois Tollway continues to be intentional in our efforts to mentor, coach and counsel small and diverse businesses, as well as ensure that we are doing our part to nurture the up-and-coming generations of workers in the transportation industry.