IDOT's Earthquake Response Plan put into action
to ensure road, bridge safety following
earthquake, aftershocks                  

[April 19, 2008]  SPRINGFIELD - As part of the state's overall response to today's earthquake in southeastern Illinois, Governor Rod R. Blagojevich directed the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) to ensure road and bridge safety throughout the affected area.  Starting at dawn, IDOT began inspecting roads and bridges for damage under its comprehensive Earthquake Response Plan.

"We are committed to making sure our roads and
bridges are safe for drivers," said Gov. Blagojevich.  "IDOT is following its standard procedures for responding to an earthquake today, and performing diligent work to ensure the safety of motorists in Illinois."

The IDOT Earthquake Response Plan outlines
responsibilities into three levels. As part of the
first level, after being notified of the earthquake,
IDOT Operations field staff reported to pre-assigned teams this morning. The teams have spent the day running assigned routes to assess and record any visible damage. No damage has been found.

The second level of the plan involves qualified
bridge inspectors focusing in on any reported damage, recorded by the first level, and coordinating with the Central Bureau of Bridges and Structures as needed for closures and/or load restrictions.  Bridges were inspected within a 50 mile radius of the earthquake's origin, and at numerous other locations, throughout the state. No damage has been found.

"Safety of our motorists is the number one priority
for the Illinois Department of Transportation," said
IDOT Secretary Milton R. Sees. "We have this plan in place for a reason, and it ran seamlessly in the aftermath of this morning's earthquake. We are
making certain that all roads and bridges are safe
for drivers through this process."

The third level of response was not initiated, since
no damage was reported to warrant it. After
completing the first two inspection levels following
the mainshock, IDOT performed the process a second time following the significant aftershock that was reported shortly after 10:00 a.m.

[Text copied from file received from the Illinois Office of Communication and Information]