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ISP is reminding drivers to take precautions as students return to school

ISP is reminding drivers to take precautions as students return to school

UNION COUNTY, IL (KFVS) - The Illinois State Police is reminding drivers to use safety precautions in preparation of the new school year.

ISP is urging motorists, cyclists, school bus drivers and parents about the increased traffic in and around school zones.

“As schools across Illinois open their doors for a new school year, Illinois State Police want to remind the public that school zone speed limits will be enforced and officers will be looking for distracted drivers on the roadways,” said ISP District Commander Captain Masse.

Masse said drivers should heighten their awareness as officers will increase their presence, focusing on school speed zones, cell phones, distracted drivers, seat belt/child restraint safety and illegal passing of school buses.

According to ISP, teen driver safety is also their top priority.

ISP reminds drivers to use caution as school starts

ISP reminds drivers to use caution as school starts

UNION COUNTY, IL (KFVS) - The Illinois State Police would like to remind drivers that classes will be starting soon and that means an increase of vehicle, bicycle and pedestrian traffic near schools.

According to ISP, drivers should focus on driving and limit distractions while driving, especially near a school. They should be on a lookout for school buses and be prepared to stop at the appropriate time and place when school buses are loading or unloading children.

They say it is also against the law to talk on a cell phone while driving through a school zone.

Police say troops will be conducting enforcement activities throughout the school year in and around schools to take care of unsafe driving.

Copyright 2011 KFVS. All rights reserved.

IDOT opens some construction zones over weekend

IDOT opens some construction zones over weekend

UNION COUNTY, IL (KFVS) - The Illinois Department of Transportation will suspend construction over the Fourth of July weekend to reduce congestion and improve traffic flow.

IDOT will suspend all non-emergency road work and open all lane where possible staring Friday, July 1 until midnight on Monday, July 4.

“Independence Day is often celebrated with friends and family usually traveling long distances to connect,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Gary Hannig. “With heavy traffic expected over the holiday weekend, IDOT is providing a list of closures in advance to help motorists plan their trips.

$100 million in funding for local transportation projects

UNION COUNTY, IL (KFVS) - Governor Pat Quinn announced Thursday $100 million in Illinois Jobs Now! funding will be given to local officials to repair municipal, township and count infrastructure along with improving public safety.

“The important capital investment will help communities throughout our state to address their infrastructure needs directly and create jobs at the same time,” said Governor Quinn. “Our local communities are the backbone of Illinois and need to stay strong and keep our economic recovery going.”

The announcement is through the six-year, $31 billion program and represents the second of five $100 million annual investments to fund projects statewide.

The projects will be picked and managed locally, with the Illinois Department of Transportation providing insight.

Types of projects include street and bridge maintenance, upgraded traffic signals, new storm sewers and bike paths, sidewalk replacement and pothole repair.

IDOT to suspend some roadwork over holdiay weekend

IDOT to suspend some roadwork over holdiay weekend

UNION COUNTY, IL (KFVS) - The Illinois Department of Transportation announced Friday that roadwork will be suspended were possible over the Memorial Day holiday weekend to reduce potential congestion and improve traffic safety.

Starting at 3 p.m. on Friday, IDOT said it will suspend all non-emergency road work and open up all lanes where possible until 12 a.m. on Monday, May 30.

Because of the nature of some projects, according to IDOT, some construction zones throughout the state will continue to have lane closures.

For a complete list of Illinois highways closed for construction, you can click here.

Copyright KFVS 2011. All rights reserved.

IDOT, ISP to increase safety efforts for Memorial Day weekend

UNION COUNTY, IL (KFVS) - The Illinois Department of Transportation and the Illinois State Police announced Wednesday their efforts to boost enforcement over Memorial Day weekend.

IDOT and ISP are planning more safety belt enforcement zones and other patrols over the holiday weekend.

“Memorial Day is a special time dedicated to the remembrance and reconciliation of those in armed forces who gave their lives to protect our values, freedom and democracy,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Gary Hannig. “The holiday weekend serves as an historical, symbolic and solemn time, often spent with family and friends, and shouldn't’t be tainted by impaired drivers or other law violators. If Illinois motorists plan to travel over Memorial Day weekend, we strongly encourage them to continue to drive sober and buckle up, every trip, every time.”

According to IDOT and ISP, the goal of boosting enforcement is to save lives during the Memorial Day weekend.

IDOT: group to conduct economic impact study of Ill. airports

IDOT: group to conduct economic impact study of Ill. airports

UNION COUNTY, IL (KFVS) - Illinois Department of Transportation Secretary Gary Hannig announced on Tuesday the start of a statewide aviation economic impact study.

The 18-month study will measure the local economic growth benefits of Illinois' system of airports. It will examine more than 100 airports in Illinois and guide IDOT's Division of Aeronautics and aviation and economic development leaders as they work to enhance the state's aviation network and create more jobs.

"We are extremely pleased to initiate this study to explore and identify unique local benefits of Illinois' Aviation System," said Hannig. "Illinois' airport network is one of the largest and most diverse aviation systems in the nation."

Wilbur Smith Associates was chosen to conduct the study and will be assisted by Applied Real Estate Analysis; Crawfor, Murphy and Tilly; and Hanson Professional Services.