Illinois Tollway Works With State And Federal Agencies To Shutdown Phishing Scam

NBC News Chicago reports, the Illinois Tollway Authority issued a statement about the current phishing scam that aims to trick text recipients into paying bogus toll bills. The agency said it “worked immediately this weekend with the Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology and the appropriate federal authorities to take down the phony website responsible for the phishing texts that were sent to some I-PASS customers.” It advised I-PASS customers to “delete any text they’ve received stating an outstanding toll amount.” With the help of a viewer, NBC got some additional information about the scheme, including an image of the texts the perpetrators are sending.

Contractor Launches Work On Improving 15.5-Mile New York Thruway Segment

This week, New York Governor Kathy Hochul (D) announced “the start of a $21.3 million infrastructure improvement project on the Thruway (I-87) in Ulster and Greene counties.” In a  15.5-mile section between exits 19 and 20, crews will make full- and partial-depth pavement repairs in both directions, reconstruct some shoulders, and do mill and inlay repair at a parking area, the Malden Service Area and the exit 20 ramps. “Additional work includes the relocation of a U-Turn at milepost 98.0 and safety improvements such as installing new guiderail, new reflective line striping, and upgrades to drainage and culverts.” The contractor, Callanan Industries, is expected to complete the project this fall. The Thruway Authority’s acting chief executive, Frank Hoare, cited the project as an example of how toll revenue is being invested “to enhance safety and extend the life of the roadway.” The Authority’s 2024 capital program budget totals $451 million.

Illinois Tollway Issues Phishing Scam Alert

NBC News Chicago reports, the Illinois Tollway is another toll agency warning motorists about a phishing scam aimed at tricking people into paying bogus bills. “According to a press release, the Tollway says that some customers have been receiving text messages from the ‘Illinois toll way,’ detailing outstanding toll amounts that the customers owed.” I-PASS customers are advised to ignore the texts and make a report to the Internet Crime Complaint Center.

TRN notes, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) and the New York Thruway also recently issued warnings about text scams.

NY Thruway Opens Renovated Service Plaza With New Feature For Customers With Disabilities

The New York State Thruway Authority announced yesterday the reopening of the modernized Warners Service Area on I-90 westbound at mile marker 292. “The location is the 15th new service area to open to Thruway customers as part of the $450 million private investment to redevelop and modernize all 27 Thruway service areas and the first of five select service areas that will include an adult changing station to improve accessibility for all motorists.” State Senator Pam Helming (R-54) is credited with advocating for the changing stations, which provide a private and secure space for caregivers to assist people with disabilities. The new service plazas at Angola, Ontario, Pattersonville and Sloatsburg also will include the amenity. Applegreen, the service area operator and an affiliate of the state’s modernization project partner, predicts 25 service plazas will be renovated by the end of this year. (TRN inserted a link in quoted text.)