A duck takes a walk on the Ronald Reagan Tollway near Eola Road. (Mick Swasko/Triblocal.com / July 16, 2010) |
It wasn't heavy construction work or a jackknifed semi that slowed westbound traffic on I-88 this morning -- it was something a bit more fowl.
A family of ducks attempting to cross the westbound lanes of I-88 near Route 59 slowed traffic and confused motorists around 9:30 a.m.
It is unclear how large the duck family was, but at least two adult birds continued their way west on the shoulder. Reports called into WGN Radio indicate the pair made a considerable trek on webbed foot -- eventually pacing around mile marker 122 just before the Eola Road exit.
At 11:30 a.m., one duck paced frantically near the mile marker then attempted to cross again, prompting plenty of honking from both the bird and peeved drivers. It eventually took flight, landing on a tall grassy hill over the road rails near the exit.
No other ducks appeared to be present at 11:40 a.m., and traffic flowed freely.
A spokesperson for the Illinois Tollway said State Police and highway maintenance crews had no information about the winged disruption to traffic this morning.
A family of ducks attempting to cross the westbound lanes of I-88 near Route 59 slowed traffic and confused motorists around 9:30 a.m.
It is unclear how large the duck family was, but at least two adult birds continued their way west on the shoulder. Reports called into WGN Radio indicate the pair made a considerable trek on webbed foot -- eventually pacing around mile marker 122 just before the Eola Road exit.
At 11:30 a.m., one duck paced frantically near the mile marker then attempted to cross again, prompting plenty of honking from both the bird and peeved drivers. It eventually took flight, landing on a tall grassy hill over the road rails near the exit.
No other ducks appeared to be present at 11:40 a.m., and traffic flowed freely.
A spokesperson for the Illinois Tollway said State Police and highway maintenance crews had no information about the winged disruption to traffic this morning.
