During dangerously cold weather, Zero Weather Road Patrols provide extra help to Illinois Tollway customers
When winter temperatures plunge and wind chills fall dangerously low, the Illinois Tollway steps up to provide extra roadside help to customers who are stranded or need assistance on the Tollway system.
The extra help comes from special Zero Weather Road Patrols the Tollway operates around the clock during winter cold spells to more rapidly find and assist drivers whose vehicles have become disabled along the road
The patrols typically run whenever temperatures or sustained wind chills fall below zero degrees to bolster the roadway assistance already provided by the Tollway’s Highway Emergency Lane Patrol (H.E.L.P.) trucks and the Illinois State Police.
“Safety is always our top priority and it is especially critical during dangerously cold weather that we quickly locate and assist customers on our roads who need help,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “Operating these patrols puts extra crews on the road to better protect our customers and provide an extra layer of safety for drivers who are stranded or need assistance.”
In early January, during the first cold spell of 2022, Zero Weather Road Patrols operated for five days and stopped to assist or check on more than 500 drivers traveling on the Tollway system. Roadway maintenance workers operating the patrols assisted drivers with numerous issues, including flat tires, overheated engines or arranging a tow.
“Our Zero Patrol crews help drivers quickly resolve their situations and then safely get them back to their travels,” said Darrion Robinson, Illinois Tollway deputy chief of maintenance and traffic. “Customers frequently thank us for the assistance and the service we provide during these patrols.”
The 24-hour Zero Weather Road Patrols search for drivers stranded in disabled vehicles and also respond to calls that come in to *999 motorist assistance, Illinois Tollway dispatch or Illinois State Police District 15.
Drivers who becomes stranded along the Tollway system should dial *999 for assistance and remain in their vehicle until help arrives.
While Tollway H.E.L.P. trucks sponsored by State Farm run from 4 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday, a minimum of 12 Zero Weather Road Patrols provide additional coverage throughout the day and night, including weekends. Additionally, Illinois State Police District 15 patrol the Tollway system 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The Zero Weather Road Patrols consist of crew cab trucks equipped with arrow boards for directing traffic around accidents or stranded vehicles and accommodate passengers if motorists need to be transported to a Tollway maintenance garage, toll plaza or Tollway oasis while service is obtained.
As a precaution against the spread of COVID-19, glass partitions have been installed between the front and rear seats in motorist aid trucks and H.E.L.P. trucks to protect customers and Tollway workers operating the vehicles. Those vehicles also carry masks and hand sanitizer as additional precautions against COVID-19.
Drivers planning to use the Tollway system can obtain real-time roadway incident information and weather conditions are available via Tollway Trip Tweets at Tollway Trip 90, Tollway Trip 88, Tollway Trip 355, Tollway Trip 94/294 and Tollway Trip 390 or via the Traveler Quick Links on the Tollway’s website.