Chicago Construction News staff writer
The Illinois Tollway has approved six construction and professional engineering contracts totaling nearly $44 million as part of its July board meeting, bringing the total 2025 investment in capital projects to $261.5 million.
The contracts are part of the $15 billion Move Illinois capital program and the newer $2 billion Bridging the Future plan, which support infrastructure improvements across the Tollway system and promote workforce diversity and small business participation.
“The contracts approved today are supporting construction and engineering jobs throughout the Tollway system this construction season,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. “In addition, one firm was able to secure its low bid by using bid credits earned by hiring workers through the Tollway’s ConstructionWorks program.”
The ConstructionWorks initiative is one of several workforce development programs that offer bid credits to participating contractors. These credits can be applied to future Tollway bids, effectively lowering their bid amount and improving their chances of winning contracts. The program encourages firms to hire diverse workers and mentor small or disadvantaged businesses.
Construction contracts:
- $21.7 million to K-Five Construction Corp. (Westmont, IL) for toll plaza improvements on the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88) between Winfield Road and Highland Avenue
- $1.1 million to Cardinal State (Barrington Hills, IL) for landscaping along I-294 between I-55 and Plainfield Road
- $987,695 to Cardinal State for additional landscaping on I-294 between 95th Street and I-55
Professional engineering services contracts:
- $8.7 million to Crawford, Murphy & Tilly Inc. (Springfield, IL) for design services on I-90 between Rockton Road and the Kishwaukee River
- $6.2 million to Singh & Associates Inc. (Chicago, IL) for design of toll plaza improvements on I-94/I-294
- $4.9 million to The Roderick Group dba Ardmore Roderick (Chicago, IL) for toll plaza design work on I-88 and I-355
Contracts include commitments from 20 certified disadvantaged, minority- and women-owned business enterprise (D/M/WBE) firms and four certified veteran-owned firms, with participation levels ranging from 21.05% to 77% for D/M/WBE firms and 2.01% to 5.01% for veteran-owned businesses.
So far in 2025, the Tollway has approved $171.8 million in contracts under the Move Illinois program and $89.7 million in contracts under the Bridging the Future plan.
The Tollway’s 2025 capital program calls for $1.15 billion in total investment, continuing efforts to modernize Illinois’ toll road system and support economic growth. Since 2012, the agency has invested nearly $11.9 billion in infrastructure, including over $3.1 billion awarded to small, diverse, and veteran-owned businesses.
