WREX.com – Rockford’s News LeaderThanksgiving Weekend: Construction, Gas Prices, Closures

Thanksgiving Weekend: Construction, Gas Prices, Closures

UNDATED (WREX) - The roadways are expected to be a busy place this holiday weekend.

GasBuddy predicts nearly 31.5 million Americans will drive an hour or more for holiday events this year. However, 2.1 million people in the Midwest say they plan to travel a shorter distance than they did last year.

Construction - To help open up the roads this holiday weekend, the Illinois Tollway Authority will suspend temporary lane closures for construction over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend from noon on Wednesday, November 25, until 9:00 a.m. on Monday, November 30.

You can get daily lane closure information by calling (800) 865-5394 or by clicking the link to the left of this story.

Gas Prices - Gas prices are expected to be 41% higher than they were last Thanksgiving. GasBuddy says on average the prices will be $0.75 higher and they will only climb as we get closer to the Christmas travel season. AAA is reporting the average price for a gallon of unleaded regular in the Rockford area is $2.58. In the Beloit/Janesville area drivers are paying $2.60.

Health Alert - The state health department issued a travel alert because of H1N1 and the seasonal flu. The department is encouraging people to only travel when feeling well, wash hands frequently to prevent the spread of germs, cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or sleeve and get flu vaccinations as soon as available.

State Offices Closed - All Secretary of State Offices and facilities will be closed Thursday and Friday.

Driver Services facilities outside of Cook County and also, the Chicago West, Midlothian, Ford City, Diversey Express and Niles facilities, which are normally open Tuesday through Saturday, will resume business hours Saturday.

Driver Services facilities that are open Monday through Friday and that usually have extended hours on Wednesday will instead be open from 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 25.

Garbage Collection - In Rockford, the Thanksgiving holiday will push Thursday's pick up to Friday. No other garbage day pick up will be affected by the holiday.