Chicago Construction News staff writer
The Illinois Tollway Board of Directors approved two construction contracts in January, kicking off a busy 2026 construction season as part of its $1.26 billion capital spending plan. The awards also mark the 15th year of the 16-year, $15 billion Move Illinois Program and the second year of the seven-year, $2 billion Bridging the Future plan.
The contracts total $41.2 million and support systemwide improvements, including roadway reconstruction, bridge repairs, landscaping, and new tollway projects.
“We are looking forward to a busy construction season on the Illinois Tollway in 2026, committing $1.26 billion to keep delivering infrastructure improvements that will enhance mobility and improve service to customers,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. “These dollars translate into repairs and upgrades systemwide, as well as continued progress on the new I-490 Tollway and reconstruction of key segments of the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294).”
For 2026, the Tollway has budgeted $374 million for systemwide roadway and bridge repairs. Key projects receiving funding include:
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$328.9 million for design and reconstruction work on the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) project.
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$427.4 million for planning and construction of the new I-490 Tollway, the Illinois Route 390 interchange, and direct access to O’Hare International Airport as part of the Elgin O’Hare Western Access Project.
Since the start of the Move Illinois program in 2012, the Tollway has invested nearly $12.1 billion in infrastructure, including more than $3.2 billion committed to small, diverse, and veteran-owned firms. The capital program has also created or sustained an estimated 149,280 jobs as of December 2025.
The January construction contracts include:
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A $38.2 million contract awarded to the OHLA Central Inc./Judlau Contracting Inc. joint venture of Lisle, IL, for roadway construction on the new I-490 Tollway between Irving Park Road and Devon Avenue.
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A $3 million contract to Natural Creations Landscaping Inc., Joliet, IL, for landscape planting improvements on the Tri-State Tollway (I-294) between I-55 and Cermak Road.
The contracts involve nine certified disadvantaged, minority- and women-owned business enterprise (D/M/WBE) firms and two certified veteran-owned firms, with participation commitments of 32.01% for D/M/WBE and 1.62% for veteran-owned businesses.
All Illinois Tollway construction contracts are competitively bid under the Illinois Procurement Code and presented to the Board of Directors for approval. Public meetings, bid openings, and detailed information on ongoing construction and engineering contracts are available on the Tollway’s website at www.illinoistollway.com
