September 28, 2021
Important: Upcoming cutoff date reminders in letting section
Employee Spotlight:
Bill Viste, Project Coordinator, Division of Aeronautics
Watching the planes fly in and out of Chicago’s Midway Airport was the beginning of Bill Viste’s pursuit of an aviation career. Since then it has taken flight at IDOT to help the agency gain a higher-level perspective for its many construction projects and initiatives.
 
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Public input sought for new data-driven decisions tool
IDOT is seeking input as it develops a revised project-selection process intended to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the state's transportation system. Feedback from the public and stakeholders on the department's enhanced data-driven approach to project prioritization can be provided on a new webpage as well as a webinar on Sept. 29. 
 
The new data-driven decisions tool will use information from IDOT's nine districts, along with the various data tools the department currently uses, to prioritize projects that change capacity on the system. The areas that IDOT are currently focused on involve data that show potential to impact traffic operations and congestion, economic development, safety and environmental impacts and livability. Input from local stakeholders and officials will be weighed as well.
 
Click here to learn more and sign up for the upcoming webinar.
In District 4, IDOT joined state, local and community leaders on Sept. 20 to celebrate the progress of the new eastbound McClugage Bridge project in the Peoria area.
 
First built in World War II, the eastbound bridge carries about 20,000 vehicles a day across the Illinois River between Peoria and East Peoria. A $167 million project will increase capacity, improve safety, reduce travel times and include a multi-use pedestrian path. The project began in 2019 and is expected to wrap up in 2023.
 
Learn more about the project.
As the 2021 construction season closes, IDOT has made great progress with projects as part of the $33.2 billion, multi-year Rebuild Illinois capital plan. Visit our page to view fact sheets and maps for projects completed, underway or planned throughout Illinois.
 
More than 3,535 miles of highway and 9 million square feet of bridge deck will be improved as part of Rebuild Illinois. Accomplishments through Year Two included approximately $5.2 billion of improvements statewide on 3,020 miles of highway, 270 bridges and 428 additional safety improvements.
Letting Update
 
Nov. 5 is the final letting for statewide construction projects that are scheduled in 2021. Here are some dates to note in advance of the letting.
 
  • Oct. 1 at 10 a.m. Transportation Bulletin release (Official advertisement of projects.)
  • Oct. 15 at 4:30 p.m. Prequalification cutoff (Date that contractors must be qualified to bid on contracts.)
  • Oct. 29 at 4:30 p.m. Joint venture cutoff (three contractor limit. Date for these groups who want to bid can do so.)
  • Nov. 2 at 4:30 p.m. Request for authorization to bid cutoff (Final date for contractors who are authorized to bid on contracts.)
  • Nov. 5 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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