New I-355 stretch to honor veterans

Before motorists get to experience the advantages of the new I-355 extension through Will County, Illinois military veterans will reap some benefits.

Wednesday, tollway officials unveiled plans to dedicate the new 12.5-mile stretch that runs from I-55 near Bolingbrook to I-80 in New Lenox the "Veterans Memorial Tollway" at a special ceremony on Veterans Day, Nov. 11.

In addition, two charity events will be held on the unopened interstate that day, with proceeds going to veterans charities. A bike ride along the entire span of the new road is planned as well as a 5k run and a 1k family walk along the 1.3-mile Des Plaines River Valley Bridge.

Tammy Duckworth, director of the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs, applauded the decision to honor veterans with the road's distinction.

"As we stand outside today in this heat just remember it's warmer in Afghanistan and Iraq right now," she said. "As we talk about naming this highway, it seems like a small thing, but it's so much more than that."

Tollway officials said the new roadway is 87 percent complete and would be opened shortly after the Veterans Day dedication ceremony. But no exact date has been set.

"I hope we're on it the next day," said Tollway Executive Director Brian McPartlin. "But you never know. I learned long ago not to mess with Mother Nature."

With just days to go before its opening, tollway officials seem pleased -- and a bit surprised -- that the $370 million project is nearing completion on time and on budget.

"I was never sure this day was going to come," said tollway director James Roolf. "It's not (just) important to Will County, it's critical to metropolitan Chicago."

The extension will run through Lemont, Homer Glen, Lockport and New Lenox. The project required the coordination of several local, county, state and federal agencies.

"This area's leadership is so mobilized and work so well together," said tollway board chairman John Mitola. "Our customers are seeing the benefits we promised beginning to come to fruition."

The new roadway is expected to reduce travel times in the area by 20 percent and relieve congestion on local arterial roads.

It is also expected to boost the economic development of the region.

"We have an opportunity here that is not afforded to a lot of communities," said Will County Executive Director Larry Walsh. "We're going to begin the opening of a virgin corridor. We have an economic opportunity that is second to none."

If you go

Tollway officials are planning two fundraising events for state veterans in conjunction with the Veterans Day (Nov. 11) dedication of the I-355 extension through Will County.

• A bike ride along the entire 12.5-mile span of the new roadway is being sponsored by Chicagoland Bicycle Federation. For information about participating and event time, call (312) 427-3325.

• A 5K run and 1K family walk along the 1.3-mile Des Plaines River Valley Bridge in Lemont is being sponsored by the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs and Salute Inc. For information about participating and event time, call (847) 749-2768.