Illinois Tollway awards over $114 million in April construction and engineering contracts
The Illinois Tollway Board of Directors approved more than $114.1 million in new construction and professional engineering contracts at its April meeting, according to an announcement on April 16. These awards are part of the agency’s ongoing efforts to advance major infrastructure projects and maintain existing roadways.
The newly approved contracts contribute to a total investment of over $219.3 million by the Illinois Tollway in 2026 for projects under the Move Illinois capital program and the Bridging the Future plan. The agency's capital program for this year is set at $1.26 billion.
Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse said, “Contracts approved today will allow us to continue advancing improvements on the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Project, as well as construction on the new I-490 Tollway. At the same time, we are committed to the work necessary to keep the roadway pavement and bridges on our existing system well maintained for our 1.7 million daily drivers.”
April’s construction contract awards include a $28.7 million contract for asphalt overlay and pavement marking along I-294, a $15.4 million contract for ramp reconstruction also on I-294, a $12.2 million contract for pavement rehabilitation on I-355, among others targeting grading, drainage improvements, bridge rehabilitation, systemwide repairs, and oasis parking lot demolition.
Professional engineering services contracts awarded this month total nearly $29.2 million and cover management services for I-490 construction between I-294 and I-90; design services related to intelligent transportation systems; and interchange design at York Road connecting Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88) with Tri-State Tollway (I-294).
Diversity remains central in these initiatives: 31 certified disadvantaged-, minority-, or women-owned business enterprise firms as well as 13 veteran-owned firms received portions of these contracts—with participation commitments ranging from about 11 percent up to 66 percent per contract.
Since launching its Move Illinois program in 2012—a planned investment of $15 billion over sixteen years—the Illinois Tollway has invested more than $12.2 billion overall with more than $3.2 billion going toward small businesses owned by diverse groups or veterans; it estimates that roughly 151,930 jobs have been created or sustained through March this year.
The agency operates without state or federal funding support for maintenance or operations but manages nearly three hundred miles of toll roads across twelve counties in Northern Illinois.