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This month, we are excited to highlight our impactful work in Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) with the Illinois Tollway. The Illinois Tollway is dedicated to enhancing its roadway network with cutting-edge ITS technologies. ITS integrates advanced electronic systems and communications infrastructure to improve traveler information, enhance motorist safety, expedite incident response, and alleviate congestion. ITS must be seamlessly integrated with the Tollway’s Traffic Incident Management System (TIMS) operations for maximum effectiveness.
JWI proudly served as the Construction Manager for the I-21-4837 contract, a $14 million initiative focused on ITS installation and enhancements along the Tri-State Tollway (I-294), spanning from Wolf Road to Balmoral Avenue. This contract involved the installation of 14 over-the-road gantries, each equipped with dedicated lane control signs, dynamic message signs (DMS), and all necessary fiber optic cables, network hardware, cabinets, and controllers. These gantries play a crucial role in delivering real-time updates to motorists, including travel times, lane closures, traffic delays, collision notifications, and emergency vehicle response needs. The Tollway’s traffic center can update these gantries, DMS messages, and lane control signs instantaneously with the click of a mouse.
Each gantry was installed overnight, necessitating multiple full-roadway closures per night, each lasting a maximum of 15 minutes. These efforts required meticulous coordination between JWI, the Illinois State Police, and Tollway Maintenance field personnel to ensure safety and efficiency. In addition to the gantries, this contract also facilitated the deployment of 15 state-of-the-art cameras, enhancing system visibility and traffic monitoring capabilities.
JWI’s responsibilities encompassed a broad scope of critical tasks, including performing material inspections, updating drawings, completing daily inspector reports, coordinating with contractors and clients, managing change processes, issuing pay estimates, reviewing Requests for Information (RFIs), and conducting submittal reviews.
We are proud to contribute to this transformative project and remain committed to supporting the Illinois Tollway’s mission of improving transportation safety and efficiency through advanced ITS technology.