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ILLINOIS TOLLWAY TO HOST INFORMATIONAL MEETING AND SHARE 2023 DBE DISPARITY STUDY REPORT

DOWNERS GROVE, IL – The Illinois Tollway will host an informational meeting to provide the public with an opportunity to learn more about its 2023 DBE Disparity Study report examining contracting practices and its Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program.

The information meeting, including a presentation by Colette Holt & Associates, will be held June 8 at 2 p.m. in the Illinois Tollway’s Downers Grove Headquarters. Members of the public can also attend virtually by registering here in the Diversity section of the Tollway’s website www.illinoistollway.com.

The Illinois Tollway’s DBE Program is designed to reduce barriers that limit opportunities for small, minority- and women-owned firms to participate on construction and related professional services contracts awarded by the agency.

The Tollway Board of Directors approved the study on May 25, 2023 to help update the Tollway’s DBE policies to remove obstacles limiting the utilization of small, minority and women-owned firms in competing for agency contracts. The 2023 DBE Disparity Study report is available in the Diversity section on the Tollway’s website.

The 2023 DBE Disparity Study was undertaken as part of a continuing effort by the Illinois Tollway to ensure equal opportunities in all aspects of its Move Illinois capital program, including contracting and consulting.

Conducted by Colette Holt & Associates, the study analyzed how the agency awards construction and professional services contracts, including reviewing the use of the agency’s DBE Program. The study also examined whether disparities exist between the opportunities and experiences of DBEs in the contracting process and the availability of such businesses compared to the utilization of non-DBEs for those contracts. Finally, the study makes recommendations on potential improvements the Tollway could make to further increase the impact of the DBE Program on disadvantaged firms.

The Tollway has worked to increase access to opportunities for small businesses, D/M/WBEs and underemployed individuals through a variety of specialized programs, including the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program, the Business Enterprise Program (BEP), the Veterans Business Program and the Partnering For Growth Program.

The agency also has created a Small Business Initiative and Technical Assistance program for small and diverse businesses as well as developed workforce training programs including the Earned Credit Program and ConstructionWorks.

About Move Illinois

The first 11 years of Move Illinois are on schedule and within budget, delivering the rebuilt and widened Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) as a state-of-the-art 21st century corridor and opening a new interchange connecting the Tri-State Tollway (I-294) to I-57. Progress continues on projects addressing the remaining needs of the existing Tollway system, delivering the Elgin O’Hare Western Access Project and reconstruction of the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294).

About the Illinois Tollway

The Illinois Tollway is a user-fee system that receives no state or federal funds for maintenance and operations. The agency maintains and operates 294 miles of roadways in 12 counties in Northern Illinois, including the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355), the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80) and the Illinois Route 390 Tollway.

5/31/2023 4:57 PM (Updated 5/31/2023 4:57 PM)

Springfield: Public hearing June 13 on I-55 project

The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that a public hearing will be held Tuesday, June 13, on a proposed project to add lanes on Interstate 55 and Interstate 72 around Springfield. The estimated $802 million cost of the project includes reconstructing several interchanges.

The purpose of the hearing is to present the preferred design for the improvements and obtain feedback. The public is invited to review project plans, view exhibits, watch a video and discuss with IDOT staff and consultants. All interested parties are encouraged to attend:

Tuesday, June 13 

4-7 p.m. 

Northfield Inn Suites and Conference Center

3280 Northfield Drive, Springfield

Funding was approved through Gov. JB Pritzker’s historic, bipartisan Rebuild Illinois capital program for $150 million for the project’s first phase, which consists of adding capacity and making other improvements to I-55 from just north of Sangamon Avenue to the Williamsville weigh station. The improvements will connect to the wider I-55 north of Springfield, resulting in three lanes in each direction to Lincoln. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2024, starting with the bridges over the Sangamon River. A timeline for the project will be finalized in the coming months.

The remaining phases, estimated to cost more than $650 million, involve continuing with the third lane in each direction of I-55 and I-72 from just north of Sangamon Avenue to Veterans Parkway (Illinois 4), as well as reconstructing interchanges with Sixth Street/I-72, Stevenson Drive, South Grand Avenue, Clear Lake Avenue/I-72 and Sangamon Avenue. Additional work will occur on I-55 to Toronto Road to accommodate reconstruction of the Sixth Street/I-72 interchange. Funding for construction has not been identified.

“Improving I-55 and I-72 around Springfield will enhance safety, increase reliability and ease congestion,” said IDOT Region 4 Engineer Jeff Myers. “A lot of consideration and public input has gone into the design of this project. I encourage anyone interested in learning more about the future of Springfield to attend.”

Planning for the improvements started in 2011. The project could not advance, however, due to lack of funding, which was remedied with the passage of Rebuild Illinois in 2019.

For more information on the project, please click here. Comments may be submitted at the meeting or emailed to contact@i-55springfield.com. Comments may also be mailed to:

Illinois Department of Transportation, District 6

126 E. Ash St.

Springfield, IL 62704

Attn: Jon Kelley, P.E.

5/30/2023 11:37 AM (Updated 5/30/2023 11:37 AM)

ILLINOIS TOLLWAY AWARDS NEARLY $23 million IN CONTRACTS FOR CONSTRUCTION AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICES IN MAY

New contracts awarded support improvements on the Tri-State Tollway (I-294)

DOWNERS GROVE, IL – The Illinois Tollway Board of Directors today approved six construction and professional engineering contracts totaling nearly $23 million at its May Board meeting. More than $81 million in contracts has been approved by the Tollway Board in 2023, as part of the 12th year of the Tollway’s Move Illinois capital program.

To date, more than $10.6 billion has been invested by the Illinois Tollway since the Move Illinois Program began in 2012, with more than $2.7 billion of that total committed to small, diverse and veteran-owned firms. In addition, the capital program has created or sustained an estimated 120,770 total jobs as of April.

“This year, the Tollway is investing more than $600 million in contracts on the Tri-State Tollway (I-294) that will continue our work to deliver improvements to better serve our customers and communities throughout the corridor,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. “The ongoing Central Tri-State Project along with the new contracts approved today will keep construction industry firms busy and support good-paying jobs for their workers throughout this construction season.”

The May contracts approved today include 19 certified disadvantaged, minority- and women-owned business enterprise (D/M/WBE) firms, as well as six certified veteran-owned firms. Commitments for D/M/WBE participation range from 22.01 percent to 30 percent per contract and commitments for veteran participation range from 2.51 percent to 4 percent per contract.

May construction contracts awarded include:

An $8.9 million contract to Walsh Construction Company II, Chicago, IL, for improvements and pavement repairs at the 163rd Street Toll Plaza on the southbound Tri-State Tollway (I-294).

A $6.2 million contract to K-Five Construction Corp., Lemont, IL, for roadway asphalt overlay and pavement marking on the southbound Tri-State Tollway (I-294) between 95th Street and I-55.

A $2.9 million contract to Foundation Mechanics, Chicago, IL, for site and local road restoration related to the Mile Long Bridge Project on the Tri-State Tollway (I‑294).

A $1.1 million contract to Construction Inc., Lombard, IL, for building improvements at the 163rd Street Toll Plaza on the Tri-State Tollway (I-294).

A $409,585 contract to Semper Fi Yard Services Inc., Yorkville, IL, for landscape planting improvements on the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) at the U.S. Route 20 Interchange.

May professional engineering services contracts awarded include:

· A $3 million contract to TranSmart, Chicago, IL, for design services for Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) deployment and management systemwide..

Illinois Tollway professional engineering services contracts are selected in accordance with the qualifications-based selection process (Illinois Public Act 87-673 (30 ILCS 535/1-535/80) Architectural, Engineering and Land Surveying Qualifications-Based Selection Act), which requires state agencies to select professional architects, engineers and surveyors based on demonstrated competence and professional qualifications. Construction contracts for Illinois Tollway projects are competitively bid under the rules of the Illinois Procurement Code.

All contracts are presented to the Illinois Tollway Board of Directors for review and approval. The Illinois Tollway broadcasts all public meetings on the Tollway’s website at www.illinoistollway.com. This includes all board meetings and public bid openings. Also provided is detailed information about current Tollway construction and professional engineering services contracts through the Construction Contract Tracker.

Contractors and consultants can also access resources online to help them learn about how to do business with the Tollway, including construction bid-letting schedules, professional service bulletins, manuals and construction bid calendars. These resources can be found in the “Doing Business” section of the Tollway’s website.

About Move Illinois

The Illinois Tollway’s 15-year, $14 billion capital program, Move Illinois: The Illinois Tollway Driving the Future, is improving mobility, relieving congestion, reducing pollution, creating as many as 152,000 jobs and linking economies throughout the region. The first 11 years of Move Illinois are on schedule and within budget, delivering the new Illinois Route 390 Tollway and a rebuilt and widened Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) with its new SmartRoad corridor, as well as opening a new interchange connecting the Tri-State Tollway (I-294) to I-57. Progress continues on projects addressing the remaining needs of the existing Tollway system, delivering the new I-490 Tollway Project and reconstruction of the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294).

About the Illinois Tollway

5/25/2023 4:34 PM (Updated 5/25/2023 4:34 PM)

INDOT To Host Public Information Meetings For US 30 And US 31 Corridors

INDIANAPOLIS - May 22, 2023 – The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) is hosting seven public information meetings as it continues the Planning and Environment Linkages (PEL) studies along the US 30 and US 31 corridors in northern Indiana. The purpose of the meetings is to report on insights gained from the public thus far, share additional data gathered by the study teams and provide an overview of needs and desired outcomes.

Public information meetings will be held in each of the four study areas:

5/22/2023 3:21 PM (Updated 5/22/2023 3:21 PM)

Illinois Tollway Issues $500 million in NEW Revenue Bonds

DOWNERS GROVE, IL – The Illinois Tollway today issued $500 million in Toll Highway Senior Revenue Bonds to help fund the agency’s ongoing Move Illinois capital program. This is the 11th new money bond issue offered by the Tollway since it launched the Move Illinois program in 2012.

The bonds were sold with fixed interest rates and maturities ranging from January 1, 2041, through January 1, 2045. The bonds were priced to produce yields to call ranging from 3.66 to 3.83 percent, and yields to maturity ranging from 4.10 to 4.38 percent.

“The Tollway maintains a strong financial position as revenues have returned to pre-pandemic levels and we have continued to carefully manage our Move Illinois capital program,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. “This bond issue will help us deliver our remaining roadway improvements to our customers in a financially responsible manner.”

Proceeds from the Series 2023A revenue bonds will be used as part of the funding needed for Move Illinois projects including reconstructing and widening 22 miles of the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) and building the new I-490 Tollway to connect the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), the Illinois Route 390 Tollway and I-294 while also providing western access to O’Hare International Airport.

To date the Tollway has issued $4.8 billion of the approximately $6.3 billion in revenue bonds needed to help fund the Move Illinois Program. The remainder of the cost of the more than the authorized $14 billion program is expected to be financed by toll revenues.

Fitch Ratings, S&P Global and Moody’s Investors Service have assigned ratings of “AA-”, “AA-” and “Aa3”, respectively, to the agency’s Series 2023A senior revenue bonds.

About the Illinois Tollway

5/18/2023 5:03 PM (Updated 5/22/2023 9:52 AM)

Pavement Rejuvenator - Extending the Life of County Roads

2023 Pavement Rejuvenator Locations

Rejuvenator can extend the life of a road by five years.

The Lake County Division of Transportation (LCDOT) will be applying pavement rejuvenator, a glue-type substance that can extend the life of a road by five years, to several newly completed road surfaces in Lake County over the next few weeks.

The maltene-based pavement rejuvenator acts like a glue which creates a tighter road surface. This leads to less rocks chipping off, slows the oxidation process, and prevents water from sitting in cracks in the pavement, reducing damage from freeze-thaw cycles.

Traffic impacts are typically minimal as one lane is closed at a time while the rejuvenator is applied. The process takes about 30 minutes. Once applied, motorists may notice an aggregate spread on the road that looks like sand, which prevents the rejuvenator liquid from getting on vehicles while it soaks into the pavement. Motorists should drive carefully on the aggregate covering following application. The excess aggregate is swept up the following day.

Pavement rejuvenator is one of the many pavement management techniques LCDOT uses to preserve the county highway system. Learn more by watching this video and visiting LCDOT's website.

Pavement Rejuvenator Locations

View a map to see where pavement rejuvenator will be applied in 2023.

This year's tentative schedule is from May 22 to June 1.

5/18/2023 10:07 AM (Updated 5/18/2023 10:52 AM)

Virtual public meeting May 11 for proposed improvements on Business U.S. 20

The Illinois Department of Transportation will host a second virtual public meeting from 5 to 6 p.m. Thursday, May 11, to discuss the latest updates on the preliminary engineering and environmental study for the improvement of 4 miles of Business U.S. 20 from Shaw Road through the State Street/Appleton Road intersection in Belvidere. For additional information about the study or to register for the public meeting and send questions to IDOT staff online, please visit https://tinyurl.com/USBusiness20Study.

Business U.S. 20 was opened in 1931 as a two-lane road and provides a critical transportation link for the region. As development in the area continues, future traffic projections indicate that maintaining a two-lane road would not provide sufficient capacity and it is anticipated that traffic congestion will continue to escalate.

The engineering and environmental study evaluates reconstruction and expansion of the road from two to four lanes to accommodate future traffic projections. The study also examines safety, capacity and infrastructure deficiencies to increase mobility of the corridor. Input received during the first public meeting held in January 2022 has been considered and revisions have been made to the project geometry. This meeting will summarize those revisions and present the latest recommended improvements. Any comments received through June 15 will become part of the official public meeting record.

The proposed project would involve use of land at the Beaver Bluffs Conservation Area from the Boone County Conservation District and land from the Belvidere Park District within the Glenn H. Green Open Space Area. Less than one half acre of right-of-way and less than one half acre of temporary easement would be used from the 23-acre Glenn H. Green Open Space area. Less than one acre of temporary easement will be required from 79.1-acre Beaver Bluffs Conservation Area. Land is needed for the reconstruction and widening of U.S. Business 20 and will not adversely affect the park’s activities, features or attributes that make the property eligible for Section 4(f) protection. Through publication of this notice, IDOT is requesting the public’s views on the proposed use of parkland and on FHWA’s intent to make a Section 4(f) de minimis determination.

Over the next six years, IDOT is planning to improve more than 2,500 miles of highway and nearly 10 million square feet of bridge deck as part of the Rebuild Illinois capital program, which is investing $33.2 billion into all modes of transportation. Accomplishments through Year Three of Rebuild Illinois included approximately $8.6 billion of improvements statewide on 4,422 miles of highway, 412 bridges, and 621 additional safety improvements. For IDOT District 2 updates, follow us on Twitter at @IDOTDistrict2 or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com.

5/5/2023 5:58 PM (Updated 5/8/2023 11:32 AM)

ILLINOIS TOLLWAY RELEASES 2023 DBE DISPARITY STUDY

DOWNERS GROVE, IL – The Illinois Tollway today announced its draft 2023 DBE Disparity Study report examining contracting practices and its Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program is now available for public review.

The draft 2023 DBE Disparity Study report is available in the Diversity section on the Tollway’s website www.illinoistollway.com.

Colette Holt & Associates will present the 2023 DBE Disparity Study at the Tollway Diversity and Inclusion Committee meeting scheduled on May 11, 2023. The Tollway Board of Directors is anticipated to vote on May 25, 2023, to accept the study and adopt its recommendations to help update the Tollway’s DBE policies to remove obstacles limiting the utilization of small, minority and women-owned firms in competing for agency contracts.

Following acceptance of the 2023 DBE Disparity Study by the Tollway Board, an information meeting, including a presentation by Colette Holt & Associates, will be held June 8 at 2 p.m. in the Illinois Tollway’s Downers Grove Headquarters with an option to attend virtually. More information is available here in the Diversity section of the Tollway’s website.

The agency also has created a Technical Assistance program for small and diverse businesses and developed workforce training programs including the Earned Credit Program and ConstructionWorks.

About Move Illinois

The Illinois Tollway’s 15-year, $14 billion capital program, Move Illinois: The Illinois Tollway Driving the Future, is improving mobility, relieving congestion, reducing pollution, creating as many as 152,000 jobs and linking economies throughout the region. The first 11 years of Move Illinois are on schedule and within budget, delivering the rebuilt and widened Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) as a state-of-the-art 21st century corridor and opening a new interchange connecting the Tri-State Tollway (I-294) to I-57. Progress continues on projects addressing the remaining needs of the existing Tollway system, delivering the Elgin O’Hare Western Access Project and reconstruction of the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294).

About the Illinois Tollway

5/2/2023 3:40 PM (Updated 5/2/2023 3:40 PM)

Spring 2023 Chicago River Bridge Lift Schedule

27 bridges to be raised in sequence from Ashland Avenue to DuSable Lake Shore Drive

The spring 2023 Chicago bridge lifting continues until June 17th, with the raising of 27 bridges from South Ashland Avenue to DuSable Lake Shore Drive. The annual bridge lifts allow recreational sailboats to safely move from boat storage to harbors in Lake Michigan. Saturday’s boat run will start at 8:00 a.m. with bridges raised sequentially. Each bridge lift takes an average of eight to 12 minutes.

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