Judy Lamelza

Special to Chicago Construction News

Infrastructure construction in Illinois is on the brink of a renaissance as the state embarks on a historic spree of highway and bridge development projects.

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) recently accepted bids on 236 contracts in what is the largest bid letting in the department’s history. This colossal venture, representing an investment surpassing $910.4 million, is set to redefine the state’s infrastructure while providing ample opportunities for the construction industry.

Pritzker’s Rebuild Illinois initiative is the driving force behind this remarkable development. The program, launched in 2019, is the state’s largest and most comprehensive capital program, allocating $33.2 billion toward rejuvenating Illinois’s aging transportation system. The initiative aims to create jobs, foster economic growth, and enhance the quality of life for residents. Furthermore, the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, passed in late 2021, supplements this effort, with Illinois slated to receive around $17.8 billion in infrastructure funding over five years.

Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman called the bid letting a “historic achievement” that illustrates the transformative investments being made in the state’s infrastructure. Communities throughout Illinois are set to experience the benefits of a modernized transportation system that promotes safety, reliability, and mobility.

Find out more at Chicago Construction News