Illinois Tollway to host Construction Event for potential bidders

Illinois Tollway to host construction event for firms interested in bidding on the mile long bridge project. February 14 pre-bid meeting and networking event scheduled for work on the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294)

The Illinois Tollway will host a pre-bid meeting and construction networking event on Thursday, February 14, in Downers Grove. The events will provide an opportunity for firms of all sizes and types, including disadvantaged, minority- and women-owned business enterprise (D/M/WBE) firms, as well as small and veteran-owned businesses interested in participating in the first construction contract package to rebuild the Mile Long Bridge on the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294).

The Mile Long Bridge on I-294 between Hodgkins and Willow Springs was originally built in the 1950s including two separate bridge structures to carry northbound and southbound traffic. Both bridge structures will be removed and rebuilt as part of the $4 billion reconstruction and widening of the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294). Bid opening for the Mile Long Bridge Package 1 is scheduled for March 14.

Prime and subcontractors are encouraged to attend the optional pre-bid meeting at 1 p.m. on Thursday, February 14, at Aramark, 2300 Warrenville Road, Downers Grove, to connect with other firms and build teams. Project schedules and information will be provided and bid document requirements will be discussed.

Road construction concrete pavement. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania

Scheduled for 2019-2021, the Mile Long Bridge Package 1 contract includes of reconstruction of portions of I-294 mainline; replacement of the bridge carrying northbound I-294 over the Canadian National Railway, I&M Canal, Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago property, Forest Preserve District of Cook County property, Des Plaines River, BNSF Railway, Santa Fe Drive and the 75th Street ramps; replacement of portions of bridges carrying I-294 over LaGrange Road; and reconstruction of portions of the 75th Street ramps.

The networking event will provide construction firms the opportunity to learn about the upcoming construction project’s details and goals for D/M/WBE firm and veteran-owned firm participation, as well as technical assistance initiatives available to contractors.

Contractors and subcontractors will have access to information about the Illinois Tollway programs including the Partnering For Growth Program and the Technical Assistance Program designed to provide training and assistance to D/M/WBE firms, small and veteran-owned businesses. Information will also be provided about workforce programs that provide participating contractors with the opportunity to earn financial incentives and future bid credits including the Earned Credit Program and ConstructionWorks.

For more information and registration for the construction networking event, please visit the Doing Business – Diversity Programs section on the Illinois Tollway’s website at illinoistollway.com. On-site registration will begin at noon on Thursday, February 14, 2017.

The Mile Long Bridge is critical to the Central Tri-State because it carries drivers over two major railroads, three water resources, several roads, and serves a major shipping distribution center for UPS and BNSF Railway.

Reconstruction is beginning in advance of the mainline construction due to the bridge condition, the need to coordinate with natural resource agencies, major business operations, property owners, and local agencies and to enable the Tollway to maintain four lanes of traffic during mainline construction. Completion of the two bridge structures is scheduled to be complete by the end of 2023.

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 120,000 jobs and linking economies throughout the region. The first seven 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) and planning for emerging projects.

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.

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Ray Hanania is an award-winning opinion columnist, author & former Chicago City Hall reporter (1977-1992). A veteran who served during the Vietnam War and the recipient of four SPJ Peter Lisagor Awards for column writing, Hanania writes weekly opinion columns on mainstream American & Chicagoland topics for the Southwest News-Herald, Des Plaines Valley News, the Regional News, The Reporter Newspapers, and Suburban Chicagoland.

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Hanania was named "Best Ethnic American Columnist" by the New America Media in November 2007, and is the 2009 recipient of the SPJ National Sigma Delta Chi Award for column writing.

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