 "Under Gov. Quinn's leadership, IDOT remains committed to
implementing and promoting environmental sustainability initiatives
wherever feasible," Schneider said. "We consistently support and
employ sound environmental practices and look forward to positively
impacting communities across the state."IDOT has implemented
numerous green and sustainable initiatives in recent years,
including the Bus-on-Shoulder program after Gov. Quinn shepherded
legislation to enact the pilot. Other environmentally effective
programs of the Illinois Department of Transportation are aluminum
sign recycling, recycled asphalt shingles for paving materials,
rubblization to reuse existing pavement materials for resurfacing,
the addition of electric vehicles to the state fleet,
Adopt-A-Highway programs and other efforts aimed at beautification,
awareness and education, like the 10,000 Trees to Schools
initiative.
IDOT continues to implement the successful aluminum sign
recycling program, which recycles about 338,000 square feet of old
aluminum signs annually. This accounts for 70-80 percent of the
aluminum needed for standard signs and saves approximately $669,000
per year over new aluminum at current prices.
Along state highways, IDOT has executed additional sustainability
practices, some of which are increased use of blue logo signs to
inform travelers where ethanol-based and other bio fuels are
available; improved reflective highway signs to eliminate need for
electric sign lighting, at a savings of up to $700 per sign; and
replacing incandescent bulbs in traffic lights with LED lighting, to
save up to $10,000 annually per intersection in energy costs.
Improved mowing, planting, tree replacement and plant conservation
are other techniques IDOT uses to reduce roadside maintenance, save
money and preserve ecosystems.
For a third consecutive year, IDOT is conducting the giveaway of
10,000 tree seedlings to school districts throughout Illinois. Many
school districts have received oak tree seedlings, donated to IDOT
by Living Lands and Waters. All nine IDOT districts will participate
and coordinate distribution to area school districts. Trees provide
tremendous benefits to the environment by removing carbon dioxide,
providing oxygen to breathe, along with cooling shade, protection
from soil erosion and more beautiful surroundings. This year IDOT
will send trees to Harrisburg, which experienced a devastating
tornado on Feb. 29 that uprooted or destroyed many trees.
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IDOT also announced the winners of this year's contest in rain
barrel design. Students from third grade through high school were
encouraged to submit an artistic design for the exterior of a rain
barrel. A total of 45 designs were selected from submissions
throughout the state. Within the next few weeks, the schools that
submitted the winning designs will receive rain barrels, donated by
the Illinois Department of Corrections. Submissions of student
designs depicting nature and sustainable scenes were accepted in
three grade divisions: third through fifth grade; sixth through
eighth grade, and ninth through 12th grade. The winning students and
schools are listed at
http://www.dot.il.gov/.
IDOT is also participating in forums to promote environmental
awareness and improvement. Last week, IDOT took part in an electric
vehicle forum in Springfield, hosted by the American Lung
Association, to discuss opportunities and obstacles surrounding
electric vehicles. IDOT supplied a display explaining electric
vehicle highway signage. State agencies and advocacy groups also
have partnered to offer a forum at Moraine Valley Community College
on May 23 and at Southwestern Illinois College in Belleville on June
19. IDOT also participated in the Earth Day Transportation Summit in
Chicago on April 23.
IDOT policies and programs on sustainability have been recognized
at the state and national level, including awards for innovative
projects in three successive years, 2009-2011, from the Illinois
Green Government Coordinating Council; the Governor's Green Vendor
Award in 2010 for use of plant-based inks and biodegradable
supplies; and recognition by the Respiratory Health Association of
Metropolitan Chicago and Citizen Action/Illinois in 2010 for
construction management practices to improve air quality.
For more information regarding the agency's green initiatives and
sustainability efforts, visit
http://www.dot.state.il.us/green/index.html.
[Text from
Illinois
Department of Transportation file received from
the
Illinois Office of
Communication and Information] |
