Fox Valley Labor News staff
Thursday, Jan. 17, 2013
     Another piece of the Illinois Tollway’s 15-year, $12 billion capital program has fallen into place in the form of more than $100 million in contracts awarded to rebuild the Jane Addams tollway. And with it comes up to 11,500 permanent jobs.
     The Illinois Tollway Board of Directors approved Jan. 10 five new construction contracts totaling $124.5 million for work on the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) rebuilding and widening project.
     The project is scheduled for 2013-16 and is part of the Tollway’s 15-year capital program.
     “We are excited to be able to break ground this year on this $2.2 billion project that will transform the Jane Addams into a 21st century, state-of-the-art corridor linking Rockford to O’Hare International Airport,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Kristi Lafleur. “In addition to saving drivers $440 million annually in reduced congestion and delays, this project is expected to create as many as 11,500 permanent jobs within the Chicago region.”
     When complete, I-90 will consist of eight lanes from the Kennedy Expressway to Randall Road and six lanes from Randall Road to I-39. The road will also be built to accommodate new transit options and park-and ride facilities and host the first “green” interchange on the Illinois Tollway system.
     “The Jane Addams Memorial Tollway connects two of Illinois’ largest metropolitan areas, and this project will improve the lives of the millions of motorists who use it every year,” said Gov. Pat Quinn. “This infrastructure investment will modernize one of our most important interstates, put thousands of people to work and lay the foundation for economic growth for decades to come.”
     The Tollway has budgeted $415.2 million for this project in 2013. Including the Jan. 10 action by the Tollway Board, more than $377.6 million in contracts have been approved to date for the improvements on I-90, with 29 contracts awarded to construction and engineering firms.
     In addition, the five new I-90 construction contract awards include 27 subcontractors who are certified as disadvantaged, minority- and women-owned business enterprises with participation commitments ranging from 18 percent to nearly 21 percent per contract. Of the $124.5 million in awarded contracts, $24 million, or more than 19 percent, is committed to these firms.

Pat Barcas’ e-mail address is pat@foxvalleylabornews.com.