November 11, 2021
Important: Upcoming cutoff date reminders in letting section
Employee Spotlight:
Jon Schumacher, District 1 Bureau Chief of Construction
Learn more about IDOT’s Bureau Chief of Construction in District 1 and his role in coordinating several current and future projects in the Chicago area that impact thousands of daily motorists.
IDOT, IDNR celebrate Kickapoo Rail Trail improvements

The former CSX railroad’s transition into the Kickapoo Rail Trail between Champaign and Danville added a new segment with the repurposing of a 1,300-foot-long, nearly 100-foot-tall bridge over the Middle Fork Vermilion River. The Illinois Department of Transportation and Illinois Department of Natural Resources joined local organizations to celebrate the accomplishment.
 
Region 3: District 4 will hold a virtual public hearing for the proposed expansion of U.S. 34 from two to four lanes from Gulfport to Biggsville from 5 to 7 p.m. Nov. 17. The project will begin at the intersection of Carman Road and end at the western end of the Biggsville bypass.
 
Construction will elevate the expanded U.S. 34 to the 500-year floodplain elevation because of modifications made to the regulatory floodplain boundaries for the Mississippi River. Alternatives must be evaluated to determine if there is a practicable construction alternative within 6 miles of the U.S. 34 alignment in the 100-year floodplain.
 
Click here for more information on the project and to sign up for the virtual public hearing.
Region 5: District 8 is holding an in-person public hearing on the relocated Illinois 3/new Mississippi River Bridge corridors protection preliminary engineering studies from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 16 at its offices at 1102 Eastport Plaza Drive in Collinsville.
 
IDOT staff will share details on the study, answer questions and encourage public participation until Dec. 16. For those unable to attend in person, copies of all the exhibits and an online comment form will be available on the project website starting Nov. 16.
 
Comments received by Dec. 16 will become part of the official public record. Comments can also be submitted via email to Michael.Myler@illinois.gov.
 
District 8 also held a live presentation online on Nov. 9 to discuss proposed improvements to Interstate 64 in O’Fallon and Shiloh in St. Clair County. The project involves capacity and mobility improvements to I-64 and the I-64 and Green Mount Road interchange.
 
Those interested may comment for the record in writing; a comment form is available on the project website until Nov. 23. Comments may also be submitted via email to Matthew.Meyer@illinois.gov and by telephone at 618-346-3160.
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:
 
IDOT offers free subscription email services to anyone interested in finding out more about construction projects and work zones, IDOT initiatives, important safety messages and more.

Subscribe to IDOT in Motion or update your preferred email lists today.