Illinois Tollway tweeting real-time traffic alerts

Tools

Associated Press

Story Created: Sat Nov 24, 2012 3:19 PM

Story Updated: Sat Nov 24, 2012 3:19 PM

DOWNERS GROVE, Ill.— Drivers making their way back from the Thanksgiving holiday weekend on Illinois tollways will get help navigating around accidents and traffic jams.
   
The Illinois Tollway is now on Twitter and is tweeting real-time alerts on roadway conditions, congestion and lane closures.
   
The agency runs the Tri-State, Jane Addams Memorial, Reagan Memorial and Veterans Memorial tollways.
   
For the busy travel week ending Sunday, the agency says it expects 10 million vehicles on its roadways. It is advising travelers to check out its Twitter feeds before heading out, but to put their phones down once they're behind the wheel. It is illegal to text, email or tweet while driving in Illinois.
   
The Tollway says a survey showed 38 percent of its customers use the Internet or a smartphone to get traffic information.