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Highway hot line was a bit too hot
By John O'Connor
Associated Press
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SPRINGFIELD - Callers to a state road-construction information line Thursday might have been surprised to hear, "We love nasty talk as much as you do."

The Illinois Department of Transportation intended newly installed signs along the Dan Ryan Expressway, which will undergo major reconstruction starting later this month, to instruct motorists to call a toll-free number for information on alternate routes.

Instead, the initial number posted directed callers wanting "exciting live talk" to another toll-free number, which begins, "Hey there, sexy guy. Welcome to an exciting new way to go live, one on one, with hot ... girls waiting right now to talk to you."

Worker noticed error

Three of six informational signs were planted Thursday along the 11-mile stretch of roadway that will be rebuilt during the next two years, IDOT spokesman Matt Vanover said.

An IDOT worker commuting to work Thursday morning recognized the incorrect number and alerted officials, he said.

"We apologize to anyone who may have called that number and did not get the information that they were looking for," Vanover said.

Workers were correcting the number on the signs Thursday afternoon, Vanover said.

The Bureau of Operations is responsible for the signs, but Vanover would not comment further. He said the agency would investigate the mistake but he would not speculate on whether anyone would be disciplined.

After two years of rebuilding exit ramps and retaining walls, the $600 million Dan Ryan project proceeds to reconstruction of 43-year-old traffic lanes in about 10 days, spokesman Mike Claffey said. Four express lanes in each direction will be closed this year. Next year, those lanes will reopen while the three remaining lanes going each way are rebuilt.

The signs alert motorists to the coming work on the nation's fourth-busiest expressway and urges them to find a detour with help from the toll-free number.

But the first one posted prompted callers to dial another number, where they were invited to engage in "hot amateur talk and voice personals" for 99 cents a minute, or "live, one-on-one" chat with a "nasty girl" for $2.99 a minute.

The Dan Ryan Expressway construction information line is (877) 411-IDOT.

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Reader comments on this story - 11 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

rick bank wrote on Mar 24, 2006 8:18 PM:

" its ok, they didnt even post my comment suggestion our governor is probably in the pocket of the phone sex company "

JTE wrote on Mar 24, 2006 4:16 PM:

" The phrase "...recognized the incorrect number and alerted officials..." may be poorly worded. First, it doesn't say an IDOT construction worker. It may have been an IDOT employee who worked on the project and recognized that the number in the signs was wrong. jte "

Bigfoot's Daddy wrote on Mar 24, 2006 4:15 PM:

" Note to Pantagraph reviewer... How can you include in the article..."Hey there, sexy guy. Welcome to an exciting new way to go live, one on one, with hot ... girls waiting right now to talk to you."...and not my posts, what a one sided joke this is. I understand that you as a reviewer have discretionary rights, but your convoluted twisting of appropriateness is mildy perplexing. One suggestion to YOU WHO ARE REVIEWING THESE COMMENTS BEFORE POSTING THEM...perhaps the Pantagraph should not have posted this article as it, in and of itself, contains inappropriate sexually suggestive content. How appropriate is that? I'm guessing my attempts at humorous quips to lighten an already 'light' newsreport, have been daunted by you in an attempt to impose your totalitarian viewpoint from your crepid mind. I'm just guessing, but you're are a crotchety middle aged man/woman who needs to go through a mid-life crisis. I also might suggest you join Isaac Hayes in his one sided, scientologist rant. Point...one, for Pantagraph comment reviewer; to 0 for Bigfoot's Daddy...you're the winner by default "

Funny wrote on Mar 24, 2006 11:42 AM:

" This could stop road rage in 30 seconds flat "

Lori wrote on Mar 24, 2006 11:20 AM:

" My only thought is.....how did the construction worker just happen to recognize the number & know what it was???? Maybe he's tried it before?? "

Thank You wrote on Mar 24, 2006 11:09 AM:

" Best free Government information I have received in years "

The Nephew wrote on Mar 24, 2006 11:01 AM:

" I just assumed it was a free service for people stuck in traffic that might get lonely. Nothin' says lovin' like IDOT. "

How did he know wrote on Mar 24, 2006 11:00 AM:

" My only thought to this is.....how did that worker commuting to work just happen to know that the number was wrong & where it was going. Think he's tried it before???? "

Chelly wrote on Mar 24, 2006 9:46 AM:

" Is IDOT willing to reimburse anyone that got charged 99-2.99 a minute for this call due to their mistake "

BOB JONES wrote on Mar 24, 2006 9:34 AM:

" ANOTHER BIG SCREW UP BY THE PEPOLE, GOV PUT IN "

HA, HA wrote on Mar 24, 2006 7:33 AM:

" If you don't know what the construction scene looks like and you get caught in traffic....just call 877-411-IDIOT....that ought to keep you entertained for a while : P "
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