ILLINOIS TOLLWAY ADVANCES NEXT PHASE OF I-490 TOLLWAY PROJECT CONSTRUCTION

ILLINOIS TOLLWAY ADVANCES NEXT PHASE OF I-490 TOLLWAY PROJECT CONSTRUCTION

Board approves contracts supporting western access to O'Hare and regional mobility


DOWNERS GROVE, IL –  The Illinois Tollway Board of Directors today approved the next major phase of construction for the new I-490 Tollway, advancing one of the region's most significant transportation projects designed to alleviate congestion, improve regional mobility and provide western access to O'Hare International Airport.


The July Board action includes four construction and professional engineering services contracts totaling more than $198 million to support the I-490 Tollway Project and other ongoing infrastructure improvements.


The Illinois Tollway is constructing the I-490 Tollway, a new north-south corridor designed to improve regional mobility, including 6 miles of new north-south roadway connecting the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), Tri-State Tollway (I-294) and the Illinois Route 390 Tollway and creating western access to O’Hare International Airport.


The new contract provides for roadway and bridge construction on the northern half of the I-490 Tollway between Supreme Drive and I-90 along the western border of O’Hare International Airport. The work also includes construction of new bridges spanning Union Pacific Railroad along one of its principal freight corridors and over the Bryn Mawr Railyard which serves as a critical operating

point for the Railroad.


"Today's action marks another important step in delivering the new I-490 Tollway and the long-term mobility benefits it will provide for Northern Illinois," said Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. "Projects like the I-490 Tollway require years of planning and coordination, but each milestone moves us closer to improving regional connectivity and delivering infrastructure that will serve this region for generations."


More than $502.7 million in contracts has been approved by the Tollway Board in 2026, including $225.5 million as part of the 15th year of the Tollway’s 16-year, $15 billion Move Illinois capital program and $277.2 million as part of the seven-year, $2 billion Bridging the Future plan. The Illinois Tollway’s 2026 capital program calls for investing $1.26 billion.


Overall, more than $12.5 billion has been invested by the Illinois Tollway since 2012, with more than $3.35 billion of that total committed to small, diverse and veteran-owned firms. In addition, the capital program has created or sustained an estimated 154,660 total jobs as of June 2026.


Construction contracts awarded in July include:

  • A $177.9 million contract to Dunnet Bay Construction Co., Glendale Heights, IL, for roadway and bridge construction on the new I-490 Tollway between Supreme Drive and the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90).
  • A $3.1 million contract to Industrial Fence Inc., Chicago, IL for roadway appurtenance repairs systemwide.


Professional engineering services contracts awarded in July include:

  • An $11.9 million contract to Stantec Consulting Services Inc., Chicago, IL, for design services at the west landside reserve area adjacent to the new I-490 Tollway.
  • A $5.5 million contract to OSEH Inc., Wheaton, IL, for construction management services for interchange reconstruction, asphalt overlay and pavement marking installation on the Tri-State Tollway (I-294) between the Cermak Toll Plaza and North Avenue.


The July contracts include 28 certified disadvantaged, minority- and women-owned business enterprise (D/M/WBE) firms, as well as two certified veteran-owned firms. Commitments for D/M/WBE participation range from 25.07 percent to 84.89 percent per contract and commitments for veteran participation range from .86 percent to eight percent per contract.


Illinois Tollway professional engineering services contracts are selected in accordance with the qualifications-based selection process (30 ILCS 535) Architectural, Engineering and Land Surveying Qualifications-Based Selection Act, which requires state agencies to select professional architects, engineers and surveyors based on demonstrated competence and professional qualifications. Construction contracts for Illinois Tollway projects are competitively bid under the rules of the Illinois Procurement Code.


The Illinois Tollway broadcasts all public meetings on the Tollway's website at www.illinoistollway.com. This includes all board meetings and public bid openings. Also provided is detailed information about current Tollway construction and professional engineering services contracts in the Construction Contract Tracker.

 

About Move Illinois

The Illinois Tollway's 16-year, $15 billion capital program, Move Illinois: The Illinois Tollway Driving the Future, is improving mobility, relieving congestion, reducing pollution, creating as many as 165,220 jobs and linking economies throughout the region. During the first 14 years of Move Illinois, the Tollway has delivered the new Illinois Route 390 Tollway and a rebuilt and widened Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) with its new SmartRoad corridor, as well as opened a new interchange connecting the Tri-State Tollway (I-294) to I-57. Progress continues on projects addressing the remaining needs of the existing Tollway system, delivering the new I-490 Tollway Project and reconstructing of the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294).

 

About Bridging the Future

Approved by the Illinois Tollway Board of Directors in December 2024, Bridging the Future is a seven-year, $2 billion plan designed to continue infrastructure improvements, bridging the gap between the agency's current and next long-term capital program. Based on stakeholder feedback and engagement, Bridging the Future is addressing ongoing modernization initiatives and continuing to support investments in the people and firms working to improve regional mobility.

 

About the Illinois Tollway

The Illinois Tollway is a user-fee system that receives no state or federal funds for maintenance and operations. The agency maintains and operates 294 miles of roadways in 12 counties in Northern Illinois, including the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355), the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80) and the Illinois Route 390 Tollway.

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