“Wow”, “cool”, look how big those tires are”, were only some of the things the children shouted out as they visited the Division of Transportation during the week of April 21. Approximately 105 children took an hour long tour of the facility that had the kids in amazement.

They also got to meet “Roary the Tiger”, acting as the D.O.T.’s mascot for the week. Roary greeted the kids as they got out of the bus, took a group photo with them standing next to a big truck, and waved goodbye.

Some of the activities included a tour of the sign shop, (which had a sign making demonstration), and watched a short movie on snow removal and playing in the snow safely. They also got to see a plow truck up on our truck lift, with some fun facts to go along with it.

The tour was wrapped up with a visit in our truck storage building, which the kids got to see various types of equipment, and what they did to maintain our roads. The kids then got to look into a transit, got to pick up bottles and cans using our Adopt-A-Highway’s litter pickers, and then got to each sit in a big plow truck and got their pictures taken.

Upon leaving the facility, the kids got to see a plow truck outside blowing its horn, and operating its dump body and plow. The kids had fun, and so did the employees.

If you would like more information regarding class tours, please contact the McHenry County Division of Transportation at mcdot@co.mchenry.il.us.