Nearly 8M Cars To Hit IL Highways Memorial Day Weekend: Tollway

ACROSS ILLINOIS — Drivers traveling this Memorial Day weekend can expect more traffic on Illinois Tollway roadways this year compared to last year's holiday weekend, according to Illinois Tollway officials.

According to the Illinois Tollway, 7.7 million vehicles are expected to be on local interstates between Friday and Tuesday, which is a nearly 2 percent increase over last year. Traffic congestion on Chicago-areas highways is expected to peak Thursday afternoon as drivers hit the road for the Memorial Day weekend, according to AAA's annual Memorial Day weekend travel forecast.

Interstate 290 and IL-110 to Racine Avenue in Chicago, expected to be the busiest roadway, will be the most congested between 3:30 and 5:30 p.m. on Thursday. During this time, traffic volumes will be 131 percent above normal, according to AAA.

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“As people begin their summer travels, starting with this Memorial Day holiday weekend, we want to remind drivers to keep their focus on the road and slow down in work zones,” said Illinois Tollway Interim Executive Director Lanyea Griffin.

With the hopes of keeping roadways safe, the Illinois State Police will be out in full force to conduct several roadside safety details and special traffic enforcement patrols over the Memorial Day weekend throughout the tollway system.

Troopers patrolling interstates will also focus on enforcing fatal four violations, including driving under the influence, speeding, distracted driving and not wearing seat belts.

In addition, they will be stepping up enforcement of the Move Over Law, also known as Scott’s Law, which requires motorists to change lanes or slow down and proceed with caution when passing any vehicle on the side of the road with hazard lights activated, according to a news release from the Illinois Tollway.

Follow These Steps To Avoid Fines On Tolls

Those who do not have an I-Pass are reminded to go online to use the Tollway's Pay By Plate service "so they can focus on driving and easily pay online when their trip is complete," according to a news release from the Illinois Tollway.

Illinois Tollway drivers continue to have the option to pay tolls with I-PASS, E-ZPass or pay online with the Tollway’s Pay By Plate service. And for those in need of assistance, the Tollway has enhanced it’s I-PASS Assist program.

Here’s what customers need to know:

• Take your transponder: I-PASS can be used to pay tolls on the Illinois Tollway system and in other states that accept E-ZPass, including 19 other states that are part of the Pay tolls online. All drivers have a 14-day grace period to pay unpaid tolls. The Pay By Plate service allows customers to simply provide a license plate, dates of travel, and a payment method and then the Illinois Tollway will take care of the rest.
• Get assistance to join I-PASS. Customers unable to use I-PASS for financial reasons have more benefits than ever with the Tollway’s I-PASS Assist program, including no deposit, lower pre-paid balance requirements and dismissal of invoice fees for accounts in good standing.

Construction Woes: What You Need To know

To accommodate holiday travel on the Illinois Tollway, construction activity will be restricted to better serve Tollway customers, according to the news release. Most temporary maintenance and construction lane closures will be suspended from noon on Friday through 9 a.m. on Tuesday.

Some work may continue behind barriers to keep work on schedule, and all work is weather-dependent.

Areas where ongoing work zones may impact traffic include:

• On I-94, traffic shifts in both directions between Half Day Road and Atkinson Road.
• On I-294 between the O’Hare Oasis and 95th Street, traffic shifts in both directions, with counterflow lanes throughout the Central Tri-State corridor. Watch for signage indicating changing traffic patterns.
• On I-294, the ramp from eastbound Archer Avenue to southbound I-294 is closed and a detour is posted.
• On I-294, the ramps from northbound I-294 to Wolf Rd and to southbound I-55 are closed and detours are posted.

Dial *999 for Roadway Assistance

Drivers should call *999 to get help from Tollway roadway maintenance crews or from Illinois State Police District 15 who patrol the Tollway system 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Motorist aid patrols stand ready to help stranded customers change tires, jump-start batteries, add coolant, dispense fuel, transport customers, move vehicles away from traffic and call for a tow truck.