Illinois Tollway debuts Open Road Tolling in Rockford/Belvidere area

Acting Illinois Tollway Executive Director Brian McPartlin, Tollway Board Member David Andalcio and local officials were at the Belvidere Toll Plaza on the Northwest Tollway (I-90) this week to watch the first vehicles drive through the new westbound Open Road Tolling (ORT) lanes including a convertible featuring local Tollway Board Member Carl Towns and Belvidere Mayor Fred Brereton.

With the eastbound ORT lanes at nearby Marengo Toll Plaza scheduled to open on Friday, July 28, there will be a total of 14 mainline toll plazas system wide with non-stop tolling so drivers with I-PASS no longer have to slow down or stop at tollbooths.

McPartlin told event attendees gathered at the Belvidere Oasis that with new ORT lanes, residents in the growing Rock River Valley area will benefit not only from reduced travel times, but also from reduced congestion during peak summer travel months when vacationers converge on the Northwest Tollway to reach local attractions like Magic Waters and as they travel on to Wisconsin get-aways.

"Rockford, Belvidere and the other Rock River Valley communities rely on the Illinois Tollway for economic growth as well as quick, convenient travel," said McPartlin. "Open Road Tolling lanes in Belvidere and Marengo are going to allow local folks to get where they need to go more conveniently year round, and reduce backups on summer weekends."