The Illinois Tollway Board of Directors today approved 13 new construction contracts totaling $159.4 million and four new engineering contracts totaling $21 million for construction management and design services – the largest monthly investment of funds since the Move Illinois Program began in 2012. More than $555.6 million in construction and engineering contracts have been approved by the Tollway Board so far in 2013. Nearly $1.2 billion in construction and engineering contracts has been awarded since the Move Illinois Program began in 2012.

"Move Illinois is providing opportunities for firms of all sizes to play a role in rebuilding and strengthening the transportation infrastructure of Northern Illinois,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Kristi Lafleur. “So far, 266 unique businesses have contracted to work on rebuilding and widening the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) – with nearly 60 firms that are new to the Tollway. In addition, about 90 firms are now working to prepare to break ground this fall on the $3.4 billion Elgin O’Hare Western Access Project.”

Construction contracts approved today commit nearly $143 million for work as part of the $2.2 billion I-

90 Rebuilding and Widening Project, including contracts to rebuild eight local crossroad bridges to accommodate the new wider roadway, as well as four contracts for westbound I-90 construction in

2014 and interchange improvements in Rockford. Other contracts awarded will provide construction management services necessary to oversee work on I-90 and on the Elgin O’Hare Western Access Project.

The 17 new contracts include one prime contractor and 56 subcontractors that are certified as disadvantaged, minority- and women-owned business enterprises (D/M/WBE). Commitments for D/M/WBE participation range from 4.6 to 97 percent per contract. Of the $180.5 in awarded contracts, more than $41.3 million or 22.9 percent is committed to these firms.

Construction contracts awarded today include:

Two contracts to Plote Construction Inc., including $42.2 million for westbound work

between the Union Pacific Railroad and the Elgin Toll Plaza and $30.9 million for westbound

work between Illinois Route 47 to the Union Pacific Railroad.

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