Illinois Tollway awards over $50 million in March construction and engineering contracts

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 mentor-protégé relationships through the agency’s Partnering for Growth program.

These contract awards are part of ongoing efforts to support small, disadvantaged, minority-, women-owned, and veteran-owned businesses in the region. The Partnering for Growth initiative encourages experienced contractors to mentor these firms, helping them become self-sufficient and competitive. "The best way for small, disadvantaged and veteran firms learn the ropes and build their capabilities is working on the job with experienced mentors," said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. "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 bridge rehabilitation project on the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88) by Civil Constructors Inc., a $10.9 million bridge rehabilitation by Foundation Mechanics, and a $9.7 million lighting repair contract systemwide by Meade Inc. Professional engineering services included a $5.6 million contract with HR Green Inc., a $5 million contract with Gonzalez Companies, a $4.2 million contract with SQN Associates, and a $3 million contract with American Engineering Consultants Inc.

The March contracts include participation from 27 certified disadvantaged, minority-, and women-owned business enterprise (D/M/WBE) firms as well as five certified veteran-owned firms. D/M/WBE participation commitments range from about 16 percent up to 95 percent per contract; veteran participation ranges from just over 2 percent up to 6 percent per contract.

So far in 2026, more than $105 million in contracts have been approved by the board—$50.9 million under Move Illinois’ capital program and another $54.3 million as part of Bridging the Future plan initiatives. Since 2012, total investments have exceeded $12 billion, including over $3 billion committed specifically to small, diverse, and veteran-owned businesses.

Professional engineering services are selected based on qualifications under state law while construction projects are competitively bid following procurement rules. The Illinois Tollway broadcasts all public meetings online where detailed information about current projects is available.