New signs direct motorists to alternative fueling sites

This summer, blue signs along Illinois interstates will show more than places to eat, sleep and get gas. They will also show motorists driving vehicles that use EV (electric vehicle charging), CNG (compressed natural gas) and LPG (liquefied natural gas) where they can refuel to reach their destination.

More than 30 Alternative Fuels Corridor signs have been posted on interstates statewide, with another 20 going up this summer. The signs further Gov. JB Pritzker’s goal of expanding the adoption of electric vehicles across the state and are part of a national effort to promote alternative fuels.

“At IDOT, we take great pride in working with our federal partners to benefit Illinois communities at the local level,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman. “These signs not only further our mission under Gov. Pritzker to clean transportation options but also provide an economic boost to cities and towns that rely on interstate travel.”

The Federal Highway Administration has designated 145,000 miles of interstate for promoting alternative fuels, including along Interstates 39, 55, 70, 74, 80, 90 and 94. The signs are posted or will be installed at the following locations, alerting drivers that they are traveling in areas with opportunities to refuel:

District 1

Westbound I-80/94 near Indiana state line

Southbound I-55 near Lake Shore Drive

Northbound I-55 at I-355 interchange

Northbound I-55 at I-80 interchange

Eastbound I-94 near Wisconsin state line

District 2

Eastbound I-90 near Wisconsin state line

Eastbound I-80 near Iowa state line

Eastbound I-74 near Iowa state line

District 3

Eastbound I-80 at Illinois 47 interchange

District 5

Westbound I-74 near Indiana state line

Northbound I-39 at I-55 interchange

District 7

Eastbound I-70 east of Effingham

Westbound I-70 near Indiana state line

District 8

Northbound I-55 at I-70/270

In conjunction with IDOT’s blue sign program, additional signs will be installed later approaching exit ramps, providing directional information to specific stations that offer alternative fuels. In Illinois, the first signs will focus on EV stations. Future signs will point out locations for CNG, LPG, hydrogen and propane fueling stations.

Gov. Pritzker is targeting 100% renewable energy in the state before 2050, with a goal of putting 1 million electric vehicles on the roads in Illinois by 2030.

More information on federal alternative fuel corridors can be found here.