 In addition, the governor, along with Illinois Department of
Veterans' Affairs Director Tammy Duckworth and Illinois Tollway
Board Chairman John Mitola and Executive Director Brian McPartlin,
presided over a stirring patriotic tribute to all Illinois' veterans
as the entire length of I-355 was dedicated as the Veterans Memorial
Tollway.
"When the tollway system was created nearly 50 years ago, it was
all about moving people from one place to another faster. But
unfortunately, over the years the system strayed from that mission,"
said Blagojevich. "Now, thanks to the reforms implemented by the
leadership team and the agency's commitment to the $6.3 billion
Congestion-Relief Program, the Illinois Tollway is definitively back
in the business of making it easier and quicker for people to get
where they want to go. Completing systemwide Open Road Tolling last
year and now the I-355 South Extension this year are evidence that
customers' needs once again come first."
The grand opening and dedication ceremony for the I-355 South
Extension came at the end of daylong festivities that brought
thousands of biking enthusiasts, veterans' supporters and Will
County residents together on the roadway to celebrate the new toll
road, built from I-55 to I-80, and to recognize the men and women
who serve in the armed services.
"Now known as the Veterans Memorial Tollway, the entire 30 miles
of I-355 will serve as a daily salute," said Mitola. "The Veterans
Memorial Tollway will be a constant reminder of the sacrifice and
dedication that members of the armed services have given for our
country. It will remind us to hold dear the right to democracy and
freedom."
The celebration of the new roadway and Illinois' veterans began
with "Roll the Tollway," a Chicagoland Bicycle Federation-sponsored
event that offered more than 5,000 adult and youth bike riders the
unique experience of riding on an interstate toll road before it
opens to vehicle traffic. The event also served as a fundraiser for
a new multiuse trail that will run the length of the roadway. In
addition, SALUTE Inc., an Arlington Heights-based nonprofit
organization, hosted the Veterans Memorial Tollway 5K Run/Walk/Roll,
bringing together more than 2,000 participants to help raise funds
for active military personnel and their families.
In addition, communities surrounding Veterans Memorial Tollway --
Will County, Lockport, Homer Glen, Lemont and New Lenox -- all
joined the celebration by hosting their own local festivals on the
new toll road throughout the day.
I-355 South Extension opens to traffic
The new 12.5 miles of the Veterans Memorial Tollway opened to
traffic in time for the morning commute Monday.
The $730 million construction project began in late 2007 and will
be completed on budget and ahead of schedule. By extending I-355
south to I-80 through DuPage, Will and southern Cook County, the new
road promises residents immediate reductions in travel time. I-355
previously ended at I-55.
"The new I-355 South Extension is connecting Will County to jobs
and providing opportunity for new development," said McPartlin. "But
most importantly, it will take people where they want to go quickly
and efficiently and help people get back time -- time to spend with
their families and time to do things that are important to them."
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According to the Northeast Illinois Planning Commission, the South
Extension will reduce travel times to suburban job centers by 12 to
14 minutes (20 percent) for an hour-long trip. Additionally, travel
times on Will County roads are expected to be shaved by 13 percent
for an hour-long trip because the I-355 South Extension will ease
the traffic load on local roads, which are often the only current
option for residents to travel to and from the rest of the region.
The entire region is expected to benefit from mobility improvements
that will more efficiently move goods, services and employees
between I-55 and I-80 and beyond.
The new road includes six interchanges, including I-55, 127th
Street, 143rd Street and Archer Avenue, 159th Street, U.S. Route 6,
and I-80. In addition, the I-355 South Extension opens with one
mainline toll plaza -- the Spring Creek Toll Plaza -- located just
north of Bruce Road, as well as ramp toll plazas.
-
127th Street ramp
plazas -- 50 cents for I-PASS; $1 cash
-
143rd Street/Archer
Avenue ramp plazas -- 65 cents for I-PASS; $1.25 cash
-
159th Street ramp
plaza -- 75 cents for I-PASS; $1.50 cash
-
Spring Creek Toll
Plaza -- $1 for I-PASS; $2 cash
-
U.S. Route 6 ramp
plaza -- 25 cents for I-PASS; 50 cents cash
The I-355 South Extension is part of the Illinois Tollway's
Congestion-Relief Program, "Open Roads for a Faster Future," which
will reduce travel times by rebuilding and restoring nearly all of
the system, adding lanes to many miles of existing roads, and
converting 20 mainline toll plazas to barrier-free Open Road
Tolling. Open Road Tolling lanes are now available at all 20 plazas.
About the Illinois Tollway
The Illinois Tollway
maintains and operates 286 miles of interstate tollways in 12
counties in northern Illinois, including the Ronald Reagan Memorial
Tollway (I-88), Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355), Jane Addams
Memorial Tollway (I-90) and the Tri-State Tollway (I-94, I-294,
I-80/I-294). Tollway customers can save time and money with I-PASS
electronic toll collection -- "Get I-PASS & Get Going!"
[Text from file received from
the
Illinois Office of
Communication and Information]
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