Prairie State Wire

The Illinois Tollway Board of Directors has approved contracts worth over $84.8 million for construction and professional engineering services in August. These contracts are part of the ongoing efforts to improve toll plaza infrastructure across the state, as announced at the board's recent meeting.

Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse emphasized the importance of these contracts in advancing a barrier-free toll system. "Contracts being approved today ensure we are continuing to advance improvements at toll plazas systemwide to support a barrier-free Tollway system and better serve our customers," she said. The projects aim to enhance traffic operations and remove outdated infrastructure due to the shift to cashless tolling.

The construction awards include a $29.4 million contract with F. H. Paschen, S.N. Nielsen & Associates for work on the Tri-State Tollway (I-294), a $24.4 million contract with K-Five Construction Corp. for improvements on the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), and a $9.9 million contract with Aldridge Electric Inc. for systems installation on I-294.

Engineering services contracts include a $7.7 million agreement with V3 Companies for bridge design on I-294, a $5.8 million deal with Gotham Engineering and A. Epstein and Sons International for bridge reconstruction at Union Pacific Railroad, a $4.7 million contract with Bravo Company Engineering for toll plaza design on I-355, and a $3 million contract with American Veteran Engineering for construction management services.

These projects involve 35 certified disadvantaged, minority-, and women-owned business enterprises (D/M/WBE) along with eight veteran-owned firms, reflecting commitments ranging from 15% to 44% D/M/WBE participation per contract and 2.04% to 56% veteran participation per contract.

In 2025, more than $350.6 million in contracts have been approved under the Move Illinois capital program and Bridging the Future plan by Illinois Tollway as reported by Daily Herald. This includes significant investments aimed at enhancing regional mobility through various infrastructure projects.

Since its inception in 2012, Move Illinois has invested over $11.9 billion in capital improvements, creating or sustaining an estimated 144,760 jobs as of July 2025 according to Chicago Tribune. The selection process for these engineering services follows the qualifications-based selection process mandated by state law, while construction contracts are awarded through competitive bidding under state procurement rules.

Public meetings of the Illinois Tollway Board are accessible online via their website illinoistollway.com, where details about current projects can also be found.

Information from this article can be found here.