Illinois breaks ground on $14 million traffic incident training facility
FOX23 News at 9 p.m
PAWNEE, Ill., (KBSI) — State officials broke ground Wednesday on a new $14 million Traffic Incident Management training facility designed to help emergency responders and highway workers safely manage crashes and other roadway emergencies.
The facility, a partnership between the Illinois Department of Transportation and Illinois State Police, will provide a controlled environment that replicates real-world traffic conditions for training law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical personnel and highway maintainers.
According to state officials, the facility will be the first of its kind in Illinois and one of only a handful nationwide.
The training track will feature replica sections of interstate highways, urban streets, rural roadways, access ramps and multiple pavement types. Coursework will include crash scene management, hazardous materials response, traffic crash reconstruction and abandoned vehicle incidents.
Illinois Transportation Secretary Gia Biagi said the facility will help workers respond more safely and efficiently when emergencies occur on roadways.
State police officials said the training center will help reduce secondary crashes, improve traffic flow and enhance safety for responders and motorists alike.
The track will be constructed as an addition to the Illinois State Police Emergency Vehicle Operations Course facility in Pawnee.
IDOT is funding the planning, design and construction of the project, while Illinois State Police will oversee daily operations once the facility opens next summer. The training center will also be available to local emergency responders, tow operators and other incident response agencies.
