Illinois Tollway To Host Networking Event Jan. 14

Submitted by the Illinois Tollway.

Downers Grove, IL - The Illinois Tollway will host a free Professional Services Networking Event on Jan. 14, to provide an opportunity for professional engineering services firms of all sizes in the architecture, engineering, design and construction management fields – including disadvantaged, minority and women-owned business enterprise firms and small and veteran-owned businesses – to learn how to participate in upcoming projects as part of the Tollway’s 15-year, $12 billion capital program, Move Illinois: The Illinois Tollway Driving the Future.

The Tollway’s Professional Services Networking Event will be held from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Westin Lombard, 70 Yorktown Center, and will provide small businesses the opportunity to establish or build relationships with larger established firms currently doing business with the Tollway.

The Illinois Tollway’s 2016 Budget includes $1.4 billion in capital spending, including $577 million to complete roadway rebuilding and widening on the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), $384 million to continue work on the Elgin O’Hare Western Access Project, $105.3 million to complete resurfacing on the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88) from U.S. Route 52 to U.S. Route 30, $68 million to begin design for reconstruction of the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) and $5.8 million funding planning studies for emerging projects. Also in 2016, $156 million has been budgeted for systemwide roadway, interchange and bridge repairs and other work to address the needs of the existing Tollway system.

“This networking event is a great way for the Illinois Tollway to showcase new contract opportunities available to firms as we enter the fifth year of the Move Illinois Program,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Greg Bedalov. “By reaching out to businesses new to the Tollway, including small, veteran- and minority-owned firms, we are continuing to increase the pool of qualified businesses and helping these firms succeed and grow to become prime contractors.”

Since January 2012, the Tollway has awarded more than 150 professional services contracts, providing opportunities for nearly 300 firms – of which more than 100 were new to the Tollway, including about 60 D/M/WBE or VSOB firms.

Illinois Tollway Executive Director Greg Bedalov, Chief Engineer Paul Kovacs and Diversity and Strategic Development Department Chief Gustavo Giraldo will provide presentations at the event, including an update on the Move IllinoisProgram, an overview of upcoming professional services bulletins (PSBs) and diversity programs.

Currently, PSB 16-1 includes an estimated $45 million in professional engineering services related to the Tollway’s Move Illinois Program. PSB 16-1 includes 10 contracts for construction management and design services including work on the I-90 Rebuilding and Widening Project and for improvements systemwide including bridge and roadway repairs, maintenance facilities improvements, right-of-way fence installation, landscaping, signing and pavement markings, as well as environmental studies upon request.

In addition, the Tollway will present updates on its diversity programs including the Mentor/Protégé Program. The Tollway’s Mentor/Protégé Program encourages professional engineering services consultants to assist DBE and VSOB firms to become self-sufficient, competitive and profitable businesses.

For more information and event registration, please visit the Doing Business - Diversity Programs section on the Illinois Tollway’s website at illinoistollway.com. Pre-registration closes at noon on Wednesday, January 13, but onsite registration will be available beginning at 1 p.m. on Thursday, January 14.