For more information, contact:
Gina Paige, communications specialist, WisDOT Statewide Traffic Operations Center
(414) 227-2162, gina.paige@dot.wi.gov
@511WI is now official statewide travel information connection on Twitter
Like it or not, Old Man Winter is ready to return to Wisconsin. That means drivers also need to be ready for changing travel conditions during winter weather events. Last week marked “Winter Weather Awareness Week,” a statewide public safety campaign co-sponsored by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT). Tied to this timely campaign, was the reorganization of WisDOT’s network of 511 Wisconsin Twitter channels. The five regional travel information sites have been consolidated with the existing statewide Twitter page for 511 Wisconsin: www.twitter.com/511WI.
Wisconsin’s official statewide travel information connection on Twitter is @511WI. Users following a regional Twitter page now need to follow @511WI to continue to receive timely travel and traffic tweets. @511WI followers will see around-the-clock tweets aimed at improving traffic safety and increasing travel efficiency in all 72 Wisconsin counties. In addition to winter road conditions, @511WI provides updates on travel alerts and advisories; traffic incidents and delays; travel times on busy highways; road construction impacts; highway traffic camera imagery; public safety messages; and traffic enforcement efforts. WisDOT wants you to “know before you go” by joining the @511WI online community.
The department’s regional Twitter channels have not gone away; they are now public information feeds for each of WisDOT’s five geographic regions. Followers will receive tweets on upcoming public involvement meetings and hearings; updates on area construction plans, projects and studies; schedules for localized traffic/travel changes; along with transportation-related stories from the area.
Current regional followers will continue receiving localized WisDOT tweets; however, the five Twitter accounts have taken on a new look and been renamed.
· @511WI_nocentral is now @WisDOTnorthcent
· @511WI_northeast is now @WisDOTnortheast
· @511WI_northwest is now @WisDOTnorthwest
· @511WI_southeast is now @WisDOTsoutheast
· @511WI_southwest is now @WisDOTsouthwest
For a map detailing WisDOT’s five regions, visit the WisDOT website (http://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/about-wisdot/who-we-are/dtsd/dtsd-region-offices.aspx).
In addition to @511WI, the latest Wisconsin travel information is also on the web at www.511wi.gov. The 511 Wisconsin mobile app is a free download, links for iPhones and Androids are on the 511 home page. Always putting safety first, never access 511 information while driving. Either safely pull off of the highway, or have a passenger check it. The 511 Wisconsin traveler information system includes Wisconsin’s Interstate highways, U.S. highways and state highways. The program is operated by WisDOT’s Statewide Traffic Operations Center (STOC) in Milwaukee.
