The Illinois Tollway Authority provided this article:
The Illinois Tollway expects 15.7 million vehicles will use the tollway system during the Christmas and New Year’s holidays between Dec. 23 and Jan. 3.
On an average day, about 1.4 million vehicles use the tollway.
“The Illinois Tollway wishes a safe and happy holiday season to all of our customers,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Kristi Lafleur. “As part of our annual tradition, the Oases will also provide late-night drivers a free cup of coffee on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.”
From 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, travelers can get a complimentary cup of coffee at 7-Eleven locations at all Tollway Oases and McDonald's restaurants located at the DeKalb, Lake Forest and Belvidere Oases. Oases locations include:
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90)
- Des Plaines Oasis
- Belvidere Oasis
Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80)
- Lake Forest Oasis
- O’Hare Oasis
- Hinsdale Oasis
- Chicago Southland Lincoln Oasis
Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88)
- DeKalb Oasis
The Oases along the Illinois Tollway can be easily accessed, making it a great stop for anyone who needs a break from their trip as they travel this holiday season.
Lane closures suspended
To accommodate increased holiday travel, the tollway will suspend all temporary maintenance and construction lane closures from Dec. 21 until 9 a.m. Dec. 26 and from noon Dec. 28 until 9 a.m. Jan. 2.
Some work may continue behind barriers to keep work on schedule, but this work will not impact traffic.
“Drivers should remain alert with increased holiday traffic and remember that texting or emailing while driving is illegal and deadly,” said Lafleur. “Illinois Tollway Oases are great places for drivers to stop and access free Wi-Fi if they need to send an email or text message.”
It is illegal to text or email at any time while driving on Illinois roads. Drivers on the Illinois Tollway who need to check email or send a text message should pull over to a safe location. In Illinois, data indicates that cell phone distractions, including texting, were the primary or secondary cause of 1,130 vehicle crashes in 2011.
Tollway travel tips
The Illinois Tollway offers the following tips to enhance travel on our roadways:
- Know Before You Go - The Illinois Tollway has a variety of ways customers can get the latest travel information, including:
- www.illinoistollway.com – Construction/Planning section and Tollway Trip Calculator
- 1-800-TOLL-FYI – Daily lane closure information
- www.travelmidwest.com – Real-time travel times
- www.nbcchicago.com – Up-to-the-minute traffic by roadway
- www.twitter.com – Real-time roadway incident information at Tollway Trip 90, Tollway Trip 88, Tollway Trip 355 and Tollway Trip 94/294
- Need Help? Dial *999 - If your vehicle becomes disabled, park safely on the shoulder, raise your hood and remain in your vehicle. Dial *999 and assistance will be dispatched to your location.