|
 "Making sure people are safe on Illinois roadways means making
sure they're safe at our rest areas too. And,
upgrading our cameras and phones will provide an extra measure of
security to the traveling public," said Blagojevich.
The emergency phones will be individually programmed to dial the
nearest Illinois State Police location. State troopers or
appropriate emergency personnel will then be dispatched to the site
to respond to the calls. The security cameras will provide
surveillance of the rest area facilities and surrounding parking
areas. The cameras will be linked to a digital video recorder at
each site, where video can be reviewed as needed.
"The Illinois Department of Transportation values the traveling
public and seeks not only to provide clean and pleasant rest areas,
but also rest areas that are safe and secure," said IDOT Secretary
Milton R. Sees. "The work that is being done will ensure that this
security system is operational and keeping our motorists safe at
rest areas in Illinois."
Approximately 40 million people visit Illinois rest areas every
year. In the past, the security cameras have assisted police in
solving crimes. Medical personnel have responded to emergencies, in
part from calls that came from the emergency phones.
The Illinois Department of Transportation has allocated $450,000
toward the initial stages of the upgrade process. Work is under way
now at two test sites and is expected to be completed at 52 rest
area locations by midsummer. D.M. Mattson of McLean is installing
the upgrades and will provide equipment maintenance and technical
work through June 2010. The total cost through 2010 is $1.2 million.
[Text from file received from
the
Illinois Office of
Communication and Information] |
