December 15, 2021
Important: Upcoming cutoff date reminders in letting section
POW/MIA signs replaced throughout the state
Designed and made by Operations team at IDOT
Signs posted 30 years ago at rest areas honoring Illinoisans who were prisoners of war and missing in action in Vietnam had become worn and outdated. An effort by IDOT is replacing them throughout the state, ensuring that the memory of the unaccounted does not fade away.
 
The result has been beautiful new signs appearing at rest areas that were researched, designed and produced entirely by IDOT employees.
 
Click here to read more.
Region 2: District 2 The Illinois and Iowa departments of transportation, Federal Highway Administration and Quad Cities communities celebrated the completion of the new Interstate 74 Mississippi River Bridge on Dec. 1. A ribbon-cutting, public viewing of the bridge and fireworks were among the festivities to commemorate the milestone.
 
Both directions of the bridge opened to traffic two days later. The new structure is twice as wide as the old bridge, providing four lanes in each direction, as well as an exciting new bicycle and pedestrian path that is set to open later in December.
 
Demolition of the old suspension bridge will take place in 2022. 

Click here to view photos from the celebration.
Region 5: District 9 is inviting the public to learn more and comment about proposed improvements to Illinois 37 from Wildcat Drive to Illinois 148 south of Marion in Williamson County. A new website. shares details on a project to resurface the existing two-lane highway, constructing two 8-foot shoulders, grading new ditches and extending or replacing culverts from Wildcat Drive and continuing south, ending near Illinois 148. IDOT will also construct a right-turn lane at Lake of Egypt Road. The project is expected to begin late summer 2023 and extend through 2024.
 
Those interested may comment for the record in writing. A comment form is available on the  project website. Comments received by or postmarked before Dec. 22 will become part of the official public meeting record.
Letting Update
 
Jan. 21 is the first letting for statewide construction projects that are scheduled in 2022. Here are some dates to note in advance of the letting.
 
  • Dec. 10 at 10 a.m. Transportation Bulletin release (Official advertisement of projects.)
  • Dec. 31 at 4:30 p.m. Prequalification cutoff (Date that contractors must be qualified to bid on contracts.)
  • Jan. 14 at 4:30 p.m. Joint venture cutoff (three contractor limit. Date for these groups who want to bid can do so.)
  • Jan. 18 at 4:30 p.m. Request for authorization to bid cutoff (Final date for contractors who are authorized to bid on contracts.)
  • Jan. 21 at noon Letting (Bids can be submitted until 11:59 a.m. on the day. Bids are shut down at noon.) 
 
If you are new to the IDOT bid letting process or need updated information, following are some helpful resources:
 
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