Expect busy llinois tollways this Memorial Day weekend
Sun-Times Media Wire May 23, 2012 4:04PM
Updated: July 3, 2012 9:02AM
An estimated 7 million vehicles will travel the Illinois tollway system this Memorial Day holiday period, and police are reminding drivers they will be out in force from Friday through Memorial Day.
The heaviest travel will be Friday, when nearly 1.6 million vehicles are projected to be on the roads, a release from the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority said.
On an average day, about 1.4 million vehicles use the tollways. Construction activity is being restricted and all temporary construction lane closures will be suspended from noon Friday through 9 a.m. on Tuesday.
“There will be more vehicles on our roadways this Memorial Day weekend than average, so we remind customers to stay alert, obey the posted speed limit and avoid distractions while behind the wheel,” tollway executive director Kristi Lafleur said.
Illinois’ distracted driving law prohibits drivers from using hand-held phones while operating a vehicle in a construction zone. State law also prohibits drivers from using electronic devices to text, email or access Internet sites while driving.
A 45-mph speed limit is in effect 24/7 in all construction zones, whether or not workers are present, the tollway said. The minimum penalty for speeding in a work zone is $375.
Illinois State Police will be patrolling the tollways throughout the holiday weekend. Troopers will be operating Special Traffic Enforcement Patrols during daytime and overnight hours, concentrating on speeding, DUI, seat-belt compliance and distracted driving, the release said.
Drivers can get the latest information on construction and lane reductions by visiting www.illinoistollway.com.
