High School Students Get Hands-On Experience in Transportation Careers

Students from five high schools in the Chicago area are engaging in a unique, interactive program this week, organized by the Illinois Tollway. These aspiring professionals are given an up-close experience at Tollway maintenance facilities to cultivate their interest in careers within transportation, engineering, and construction.

This initiative offers students direct exposure to career paths in transportation while simultaneously fostering a new generation of skilled workers for the Illinois Tollway and the broader transportation industry.

“We are committed to inspiring the next generation of leaders to learn how their interests today can translate into successful careers in the transportation industry,” said Cassaundra Rouse, Executive Director of the Illinois Tollway. “By connecting students with our teams, we are providing a firsthand look at how the work we do every day keeps people and goods moving safely and efficiently while contributing to the regional economy.”

A Peek Behind the Scenes

On April 25, students visited the Bensenville Maintenance Site to explore state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, such as plows and roadway technology. They also toured the Alsip Maintenance Site on the same day, receiving insight into how Tollway crews work round the clock to maintain roads, assist travelers, and handle emergencies.

Alongside these tours, the Illinois Tollway teams educated the students on safety protocols, advanced technology, and systems such as overhead roadway gantries and digital messaging platforms that enhance traffic flow and provide real-time information to drivers.

The initiative also emphasized the significance of the transportation system as a backbone for connecting communities and driving economic growth.

Connecting Teens with Industry Pros

One of the program’s highlights is the opportunity for students to engage directly with transportation professionals, including engineers, construction workers, and tradespeople. These conversations are designed to inspire students to envision themselves in careers across civil engineering, construction trades, and other transportation-related fields.

The students also had the chance to visit dynamic work sites to observe large-scale construction efforts. Some students toured the Tri-State Tollway (I-294) work site near Hinsdale, part of a $4 billion project to revamp a 23-mile segment of the Central Tri-State Tollway. This project focuses on easing congestion, modernizing infrastructure, and fulfilling regional transportation demands.

Others observed progress on the new I-490 Tollway near Bensenville, which will offer the first western access to O’Hare International Airport. The I-490 Tollway will connect the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) with the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) and Illinois Route 390, enhancing regional connectivity.

Building the Future of Transportation

By creating these immersive experiences, the Illinois Tollway is equipping students with both inspiration and information about career opportunities in transportation. The program highlights the essential work of keeping roads safe and efficient and ensures students see the critical role transportation plays in fostering economic connections and opportunities.

With hands-on opportunities like these, the Illinois Tollway is paving the way for the next generation of transportation leaders to thrive in fields that shape the future of communities and infrastructure.

Source: The Trucker