Chicago Construction News staff writer
The Illinois Tollway board of directors has approved 12 construction and professional engineering contracts totaling more than $114.1 million, advancing major roadway projects and systemwide maintenance across northern Illinois.
Approvals at the board’s April meeting, support ongoing work on the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294), the new I-490 Tollway, and a range of rehabilitation and maintenance projects across the system.
So far in 2026, the Tollway has approved more than $219.3 million in contracts, including $49.9 million tied to the 15th year of the agency’s 16-year, $15 billion Move Illinois capital program and $169.4 million under its seven-year, $2 billion Bridging the Future plan. The agency’s 2026 capital program calls for $1.26 billion in total investment.
“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,” Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse said in a statement. “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.”
Construction contracts approved in April:
- $28.7 million to Plote Construction Inc., Hoffman Estates, for asphalt overlay and pavement marking on the Tri-State Tollway (I-294) from Flagg Creek to Cermak Road
- $15.4 million to OHLA Central Inc., Lisle, for roadway and ramp reconstruction and widening on I-294 from St. Charles Road to North Avenue
- $12.2 million to F.H. Paschen S.N. Nielsen & Associates LLC, Chicago, for pavement rehabilitation on the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355) from I-80 to I-55
- $11.1 million to Foundation Mechanics LLC, Chicago, for grading and drainage improvements on the I-490 Tollway project from Beeline Drive to Supreme Drive
- $10.1 million to K-Five Construction Corp., Westmont, for systemwide pavement repairs
- $2.7 million to Lorig Construction Co., Des Plaines, for bridge rehabilitation on I-94/294 from Waukegan Road to Touhy Avenue
- $2.5 million to Rausch Infrastructure LLC, Des Plaines, for bridge rehabilitation on the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88) from Illinois Route 251 to Illinois Route 56
- $1.1 million to RoadSafe Traffic Systems Inc., Romeoville, for systemwide pavement marking improvements
- $1 million to Veterans Vac Services LLC, McHenry, for demolition work at the Hinsdale Oasis and O’Hare Oasis on I-294
Engineering and design contracts
- $20.4 million to Burns & McDonnell Engineering Co. Inc., Downers Grove, for construction management services on the I-490 Tollway project between I-294 and I-90
- $7 million to Atlas Technical Consultants LLC, Chicago, for design services for intelligent transportation systems across the Tollway system
- $1.8 million to Gasperec Elberts Consulting LLC, Downers Grove, for design services for interchange improvements at the I-88/I-294 connector ramps at York Road
April contracts include participation from 31 certified disadvantaged, minority- and women-owned business enterprises and 13 certified veteran-owned firms. Participation commitments range from 11.06 per cent to 66 per cent for D/M/WBE firms and 1.63 per cent to 8 per cent for veteran-owned firms.
The Illinois Tollway awards professional engineering contracts using a qualifications-based selection process under state law, while construction contracts are competitively bid under the Illinois Procurement Code.
