Free Coffee Offered at Tollway Oasis Locations on Christmas Eve

More vehicles are expected to hit the roads over the holidays this season with Tuesday predicted to be the busiest for the Illinois Tollway system.

Around 17.6 vehicles are expected to use the Tollway system between Dec. 22 and Jan. 4 -- a 2.2 percent increase over last year’s holiday season.

And Tuesday is looking to be the busiest traffic day with 1.6 million vehicles expected on the road, according to an Illinois Tollway press release. About 1.4 million vehicles use the Tollway on an average day.

McDonald’s and 7-Eleven will be offering a free, small cup of coffee to visitors to a Tollway oasis on Dec. 24 and Dec. 31. The Tollway will also be temporarily suspending construction and maintenance lane closures over the holidays.

“The Illinois Tollway hopes all of our customers enjoy safe, smooth driving throughout this holiday season,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Kristi Lafleur. “We remind drivers to avoid distracted driving, as it is illegal in Illinois to use hand-held cellphones while driving, and know when to stop and rest to avoid tired, reckless driving.”

Complimentary coffee will be offered at the following times and locations:

Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90)

• Des Plaines Oasis: 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. – 7-Eleven only
• Belvidere Oasis: 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80)

• Lake Forest Oasis, 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.
• O’Hare Oasis: 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. to 6 a.m. – McDonald’s; 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. – 7-Eleven
• Hinsdale Oasis, 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.
• Chicago Southland Lincoln Oasis: 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. to 6 a.m. – McDonald’s; 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. – 7-Eleven

Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88)

• DeKalb Oasis, 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Lane Closures Suspended

To accommodate increased holiday travel, the Tollway will suspend all temporary maintenance and construction lane closures from noon on Dec. 24 until 9 a.m. on Dec. 26 and from noon on Dec. 31 until 9 a.m. on Jan. 2.

Some work may continue behind barriers to keep work on schedule, but this work will not impact traffic.

Areas where work zones will continue during the holiday include:

Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90)

• Between the Kennedy Expressway and the Tri-State Tollway (I-294), westbound traffic is reduced from three lanes to two lanes for roadway reconstruction.
• Between I-294 and Illinois Route 25, three lanes of traffic are available in both directions, but traffic is shifted at various points to provide construction work zones.

Elgin O’Hare Western Access Project - Illinois Route 390

• Between Meacham Road/Medinah Road and Rohlwing Road, traffic in both directions is shifted at various points.

Work zone speed limits are in effect 24/7 in all construction zones where lanes are reduced, shifted or traffic is traveling on a shoulder, whether or not workers are present. The minimum penalty for speeding in a work zone is $375.

Tollway Travel Information

The Tollway offers the following ways for drivers to get the latest travel information before they get on the road:

• www.illinoistollway.com: Construction/Planning section, Tollway Trip Calculator, live roadway images and real-time roadway incident information
• 1-800-TOLL-FYI: Daily lane closure and travel information
• www.travelmidwest.com: Real-time travel times
• www.twitter.com: Real-time roadway incident information at Tollway Trip 90, Tollway Trip 88, Tollway Trip 355 and Tollway Trip 94/294

Illinois State Police District 15 Out in Force

The Illinois State Police District 15 will be out in full force throughout the Illinois Tollway system during the holidays.

The goals of District 15 are to decrease traffic fatalities and serious personal injury accidents through high visibility and the enforcement of all traffic laws.

District 15 will be conducting special traffic details that focus on the fatal four offenses that include speeding, driving under the influence, seatbelts and distracted driving.

In addition, with the assistance of Tollway maintenance crews, District 15 will be patrolling the roadways to locate stranded and disabled motorist to assist them in reaching their holiday destinations safely.

District 15 also reminds motorists to recognize the signs of fatigue and know when to stop and rest to avoid tired, reckless driving.

“Nationwide, driver fatigue results in about 1,550 deaths and 71,000 injuries each year,” said District 15 Commander Captain Patrick Kimes. “Victims have included a Tollway roadway maintenance worker and District 15 troopers, so drivers can be assured that the Illinois State Police has zero tolerance for tired, reckless driving.”

Source: Illinois Tollway press release