Illinois Tollway Launches Comprehensive Oases Redevelopment Project

Oases to be Rebuilt, Greatly Improved through Public/Private Partnership

CHICAGO, June 17 -- The Illinois State Toll Highway Authority launched its Tollway Oases Redevelopment Project today, unveiling groundbreaking designs to completely redevelop the seven oases rest stops along the Tollway system. National real estate developer Wilton Partners, with ExxonMobil, will invest $94 million in capital to improve the Illinois Tollway's oases, with no cost to the Tollway or its customers.

The agreements provide for payment of all the oases' operating costs and expenses for the next 25 years. A portion of revenue also will be set aside for future repair needs to ensure that the new oases remain fresh and do not fall into disrepair. Also as part of the agreements, the Illinois Tollway will share in retail and gas sales revenues.

"We are excited about this innovative public/private partnership which allows us to make significant improvements to the Tollway oases system at no cost to customers," said Jack Hartman, Executive Director of the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority. "The reconstruction of these oases is a great example of the new way of doing business on the Tollway - finding creative funding solutions to improve the system and better serve commuters and travelers."

The new state-of-the-art oases will feature much improved amenities and cleaner, brighter venues. The merchandising plan will offer a wider variety of national brand restaurants and traveler services, while still retaining the unique over-the-road configuration. All oases will house approximately 8-12 retailers and restaurants to better meet travelers' needs. Each oasis will be anchored by a full-service McDonald's, with most offering a drive-through option. Along with McDonald's, prospective tenants include Starbucks, Krispy Kreme, TravelMart and Fifth Third Bank.

Once completed, the brand new facilities will be unrecognizable from today's aging and outdated structures. Designs for the new facilities are purposefully brighter, loftier and more dramatic with much more open space. With some as large as 40,000 square feet, they are designed to be interactive public spaces defined by their vast size, inspiring high ceilings, and expansive windows facing both directions of the Tollway.

"We plan to transform the current tired, bleak structures into bright, state-of-the-art destinations with greatly expanded customer services and much enhanced convenience and appeal for the traveling public," said Jay Wilton of Wilton Partners, a national real estate development company specializing in retail projects. "Once completed, the newly developed oases will attract travelers to stop and relax in comfortable and inviting surroundings and will provide daily commuters with convenient shopping opportunities."

Planning for the Illinois Tollway Oases Redevelopment Project began with in-depth research to determine what features and amenities were important to drivers. Focus groups, motorist surveys and meetings with community officials helped determine the scope of the redevelopment project. In response to customer input, the modern facilities feature large family bathrooms and men's and women's restroom facilities at both entrances to the building. Indoor and outdoor lighting will be greatly expanded for traveler safety, and centrally located information kiosks will offer visitors current travel and regional information.

Each oasis will also feature rebuilt Mobil fuel stations, and most will also include new On The Run(TM) convenience stores offering fast refueling and snacks. Fuel stations will also have car washes where possible. All of the new Mobil fuel pumps will be equipped with Speedpass(TM), enabling customers to use a key tag to pay for fuel instead of cash or credit cards.

Five of the seven oases will be completely redeveloped, with the DeKalb Oasis on the East-West Tollway (I-88) and the Des Plaines Oasis on the Northwest Tollway (I-90) being extensively remodeled and expanded. McHugh Construction is the primary contractor for the project, V3 Consultants is the civil engineer and Cordogan, Clark & Associates is the architect. All firms are Chicago-based.

The first full reconstruction of an over-the-road building began last week at the O'Hare Oasis on the Tri-State Tollway (I-294). The new Mobil fuel stations at the O'Hare Oasis will reopen for travelers' convenience in September, and the brand new oasis building will debut in June 2004.

This project will create an estimated 700 construction jobs and 500 permanent jobs in retail service and maintenance throughout the seven sites.

The Illinois Tollway is working with surrounding community officials and the motoring public, including trucking companies, to keep them informed of construction plans. Information on construction schedules and availability of retail and gas station services will be maintained on the Illinois Tollway Web site ( www.illinoistollway.com ).

  The seven Illinois Tollway Oases include:
   -- Belvidere Oasis, Northwest Tollway (I-90) near Mile Post 55, in
      Belvidere, built in 1959
   -- DeKalb Oasis, East-West Tollway (I-88) near Mile Post 93, in DeKalb,
      built in 1975
   -- Des Plaines Oasis, Northwest Tollway (I-90) near Mile Post 1, in Des
      Plaines, built in 1959
   -- Hinsdale Oasis, Tri-State Tollway (I-294) near Mile Post 26, in
      Hinsdale, built in 1959
   -- Lake Forest Oasis, Tri-State Tollway (I-94) near Mile Post 58, in Lake
      Forest, built in 1959
   -- Lincoln Oasis, Tri-State Tollway (I-80/94) near Mile Post 1, in South
      Holland, built in 1968
   -- O'Hare Oasis, Tri-State Tollway (I-294) near Mile Post 38, in Schiller
      Park, built in 1959