The Illinois Tollway Board of Directors has approved six new construction and professional engineering contracts totaling nearly $44 million at its July meeting. These contracts are part of ongoing efforts to improve the region’s transportation infrastructure through the Move Illinois and Bridging the Future capital programs.
“The contracts approved today are supporting construction and engineering jobs throughout the Tollway system this construction season,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. “In addition, one firm was able to secure its low bid by using bid credits earned by hiring workers through the Tollway’s ConstructionWorks program.”
Contractors working with the Illinois Tollway can earn bid credits by participating in programs such as ConstructionWorks, Earned Credit Program, and Partnering for Growth. These initiatives encourage a more diverse workforce and offer mentoring opportunities for small and diverse businesses. The use of these credits allows firms to lower their bids on future projects, increasing their chances of being selected.
Among the awarded construction contracts is a $21.7 million project given to K-Five Construction Corp. for toll plaza improvements on I-88 between Winfield Road and Highland Avenue. Cardinal State received two contracts totaling just over $2 million for landscape planting improvements along sections of I-294.
For professional engineering services, Crawford, Murphy & Tilly Inc. was awarded an $8.7 million contract for design work on I-90 between Rockton Road and Kishwaukee River. Singh & Associates Inc. secured a $6.2 million contract for design services related to toll plaza improvements on I-94/I-294, while The Roderick Group dba Ardmore Roderick received a $4.9 million contract covering similar work on I-88 and I-355.
These July contracts include participation from 20 certified disadvantaged, minority-, or women-owned business enterprise (D/M/WBE) firms as well as four veteran-owned firms, with D/M/WBE commitments ranging from 21 percent to 77 percent per contract and veteran participation commitments ranging from about 2 percent to 5 percent per contract.
So far in 2025, nearly $261.5 million in contracts have been approved by the board—$171.8 million under Move Illinois’ 14th year out of its planned 16 years with a total budget of $15 billion, and another $89.7 million during the first year of Bridging the Future’s seven-year plan valued at $2 billion.
Since 2012, almost $11.9 billion has been invested in capital improvements across the Tollway system; more than $3 billion has gone specifically toward small, diverse, or veteran-owned businesses. As of June 2025, these investments have created or sustained an estimated 143,610 jobs.
Professional engineering service providers are selected according to state law based on qualifications rather than price alone; construction contracts are competitively bid following procurement regulations set by state code.
Public meetings—including board sessions and bid openings—are broadcast live via www.illinoistollway.com where details about current projects can also be found in the Construction Contract Tracker tool.
Move Illinois is focused on improving mobility across Northern Illinois’ roadways while reducing congestion and pollution as well as creating jobs throughout its scheduled timeline.
Bridging the Future continues modernization efforts based on stakeholder feedback until a new long-term capital plan is adopted.
The agency operates without state or federal maintenance funding but manages nearly 300 miles of roadway across twelve counties in Northern Illinois.
