The Illinois Tollway Board of Directors approved seven construction and professional engineering contracts totaling more than $50 million at its March meeting, according to a March 19 announcement. Four firms will benefit from the agency’s Partnering for Growth mentor-protégé program as part of these awards.
The contracts are part of ongoing efforts to support small, disadvantaged, minority-, women-owned, and veteran-owned businesses through mentorship and participation in major infrastructure projects. The Partnering for Growth Program encourages experienced contractors to help smaller firms become self-sufficient and competitive. Since the program began, there have been 265 executed agreements, with nearly 60 firms advancing from protégé status to securing prime contracts.
Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse said, “The best way for small, disadvantaged and veteran firms learn the ropes and build their capabilities is working on the job with experienced mentors. What’s more, many firms benefitting from mentoring have not only gone on to be awarded prime contracts with the Tollway, but they also continued to participate in our Partnering for Growth program by mentoring other small firms.”
Among the construction contracts awarded were an $11.9 million contract to Civil Constructors Inc. for bridge rehabilitation on I-88 from Howland Creek to Illinois Route 26; a $10.9 million contract to Foundation Mechanics for bridge work on I-88 from Illinois Route 26 to Steward Creek; and a $9.7 million contract to Meade Inc. for lighting repairs systemwide. Professional engineering services included a $5.6 million contract to HR Green Inc., a $5 million contract to Gonzalez Companies, a $4.2 million contract to SQN Associates, and a $3 million contract to American Engineering Consultants Inc.
In total this year, more than $105.2 million in contracts have been approved by the board—$50.9 million under the Move Illinois capital program’s fifteenth year and $54.3 million as part of Bridging the Future plan’s second year. Since 2012, over $12.1 billion has been invested by the Tollway system, with more than $3.2 billion committed specifically to small, diverse, and veteran-owned businesses.
All public meetings are broadcast on the Illinois Tollway website where detailed information about current construction projects is available.
