Elwood Creates Website and Videos Highlighting Truck Traffic in Will County

Will County roads such as Route 53, Laraway Road, I-80, and I-55 have experienced increased semi-truck traffic in the last 10 years as new warehouses and intermodals have become operational.

The Village of Elwood, site of one intermodal and petitioner in an Illinois Commerce Commission case that resulted in the closing of Walter Strawn Drive, has now launched a website called Safe Roads Illinois.  The website features statistics on truck-related accidents and deaths in Will County and videos of local residents discussing truck traffic in Will County:

 Here, Meri Knauer, grandmother of 8-year old Madison Frost, discussed her granddaughter's death. Madison was killed when her family's van was struck by a semi. Knauer stated, "We don't want Madison's death to be in vain, enough is enough":

A mother discusses her fear regarding having her children driving on Will County roads:


A friend of a man killed when a semi struck his car:


 Elwood Police Chief Fred Hayes discusses fatality crashes in Will County:

A man discusses viewing a truck blow through a red light on Manhattan Road:

The website asks visitors to sign a petition stating:
"If you are tired of truck traffic overwhelming your community and creating dangerous roads, sign the Safe Roads Illinois Petition to tell lawmakers and elected officials that Enough is Enough!
As a concerned resident of Will County, I want my elected officials to:
  • Make truckers pay for blatant disregard of the law
  • Hold developers accountable for their actions and impacts
  • Coordinate enforcement of truck traffic
  • Toughen commercial driver licensing, regulations and penalties"

The logistics and warehousing industry in Will County continues to grow.  In 2015, an Amazon Fulfillment Center opened in Joliet:

Ikea is also planning a warehouse in Joliet.

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