Illinois Tollway Awards $18.3M in Engineering Contracts

DOWNERS GROVE, Ill. — The Illinois Tollway Board of Directors has approved four professional engineering services contracts amounting to more than $18.3 million during its October meeting. The awards support key infrastructure work across the Tollway system, including bridge reconstruction, roadway construction management and toll plaza improvements. chicagoconstructionnews.com+2Illinois Tollway+2

Contract Breakdown & Scope

The approved contracts include:

• GFT Infrastructure Inc. (Chicago) – $7.3 million for design services associated with the reconstruction of the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88) Canadian National Railway Bridge. chicagoconstructionnews.com+1
• Illinois Construction & Environmental Consulting Inc. (Wheeling) – $5.5 million for roadway construction management services on the new I‑490 Tollway from Foster Avenue to Devon Avenue. chicagoconstructionnews.com+1
• Delta Engineering Group (Chicago) – $3 million for system-wide “design services upon request.” chicagoconstructionnews.com+1
• Milhouse Engineering & Construction Inc. (Chicago) – $2.5 million for design services for toll-plaza improvements on the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) and I-88. chicagoconstructionnews.com+1

Advancing Equity & Small Business Participation

Significantly, all four contracts include strong participation commitments from certified disadvantaged, minority- and women-owned business enterprises (D/M/WBE) and veteran-owned small businesses (VOSB). The awards incorporate 12 certified D/M/WBE firms and three VOSBs, with D/M/WBE participation commitments ranging from 32.62% to 78%, and veteran participation set at 5% to 6%. Illinois Tollway

Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse commented:

“Partnering for Growth agreements are helping us to build and support a strong pool of businesses working on Tollway contracts. In 2025, Tollway contracts have supported 21 Partnering for Growth agreements, including 16 for professional services contracts, two for construction contracts, as well as three Reverse Partnering for Growth agreements with professional services firms.” Illinois Tollway

These “Partnering for Growth” and “Reverse Partnering for Growth” programs are designed to strengthen the supply chain by promoting mentorship, capacity building and competitiveness among smaller firms. Prime consultants are encouraged to assist D/M/WBE and VOSB firms, and the Reverse model allows larger firms to mentor smaller firms to build technical capabilities. Illinois Tollway+1

Context: Capital Programs & Infrastructure Strategy

The engineering services awards are a component of the Tollway’s broader infrastructure strategy, including its 16-year, $15 billion Move Illinois capital program and the 7-year, $2 billion Bridging the Future initiative. The October awards bring 2025 totals to over $389.1 million in contract approvals, with more than $3.1 billion committed to small, diverse and veteran-owned firms since 2012. Illinois Tollway+1

Officials say the selected engineering contracts will enable the Tollway to move forward with key design and preconstruction activity so that major work can proceed on schedule, advancing mobility, safety and job creation across the region.

What This Means for the Region

• Mobility & infrastructure: The I-88 bridge reconstruction and I-490 corridor build will address aging infrastructure and expand capacity in growing suburban corridors.
• Economic impact: The high D/M/WBE and VOSB participation commitments support regional jobs and supplier diversity.
• Industry opportunity: Smaller firms are being built up via mentoring and partnerships, positioning them for future work and improving competitiveness.

Originally reported by Chicago Construction News.