April 14, 2022
Important: See below for upcoming cutoff date reminders in letting section
‘Tis the (construction) season:
Work Zone Awareness Week hits Illinois
 
It’s National Work Zone Awareness Week and IDOT, Illinois State Police, Illinois Tollway, Iowa Department of Transportation, industry partners and frontline construction workers joined forces at events across Illinois to tell motorists that “work zones are a sign to slow down.”
 
“Entering Year Four of Gov. JB Pritzker’s Rebuild Illinois capital program, with a boost from the new federal infrastructure package, you will be seeing active projects all across the state,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman. “Whatever your mode of transportation, if you are traveling in Illinois this year, you will be passing through work zones. The people behind the cones and barricades are someone’s father, mother, son, daughter, friend or neighbor. Please slow down and give them room to work, for your safety and ours.”
 
Visit IDOT’s Work Zone page for additional facts, printable materials and information on projects this year in Illinois. Also, visit IDOT’s Flickr page to see photos from our events.
Illinois goes Orange to honor fallen highway workers
 
Buildings and bridges across Illinois got a head start for the upcoming construction season, lighting up in bright shades of orange to remind people to slow down in work zones. Among the participants that turned their lights orange at night to honor those who died in work zones and to recognize National Work Zone Safety Awareness Week in Illinois:
 
  • Rock Island’s Centennial Bridge.
  • Peoria’s Murray Baker Bridge.
  • Quincy’s Bayview Bridge.
  • Quad Cities Interstate 74 Mississippi River Bridge
  • Rockford’s Morgan Street Bridge, City Hall and Embassy Suites by Hilton Rockford Riverfront.
Police ride along demonstrates distracted driving danger

Can’t wait to send that text? Fine. You’ll pay for it.
 
Check out this video from television station WGN of a ride along with the Highland Park Police Department as they crack down on distracted driving, which needlessly kills an untold number of people each year.
Region 1, District 1: Work resumed to convert the existing Interstate 55/Weber Road interchange in Bolingbrook and Romeoville into a diverging diamond design. The $47.9 million project includes adding a third lane of travel to each direction of Weber Road, between Normantown Road and 119th Street/Rodeo Road, and installing new traffic signals and lighting.
 
The project is anticipated to be completed later this summer.
Region 2, District 2: A two-year, $31 million reconstruction project on U.S. 20/Illinois 84 (Spring Street) in Galena has begun. The work will make improvements from Gear Street to Main and Bench streets.
 
The multi-year reconstruction project will include expanding U.S. 20/Illinois 84 from two to three lanes, new curbs and gutters, new storm sewers, new sidewalks and shared use path, relocated water and sanitary facilities and retaining walls. This project is anticipated to be completed by fall 2024.
Letting Update
 
April 29 is the next letting for statewide construction projects that are scheduled in 2022. Here are some dates to note in advance of the letting.

  • April 22 at 4:30 p.m. Joint venture cutoff (three contractor limit. Date for these groups who want to bid can do so.)
  • April 26 at 4:30 p.m. Request for authorization to bid cutoff (Final date for contractors who are authorized to bid on contracts.)
  • April 29 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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