Illinois Tollway Hosts First In-Person Move Illinois Quarterly Meeting Since 2019

Illinois Tollway Hosts First In-Person Move Illinois Quarterly Meeting Since 2019

A lot has changed since the last time the Illinois Tollway hosted an in-person Move Illinois Quarterly meeting in September 2019. 

Major projects have been completed, including the Mile Long Bridge and Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway Bridge projects on the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294), as well as the Tri-State Tollway (I-294)/I-57 Interchange Project. 

Two new maintenance facilities were built. Tolling reforms were instituted. Pay by Plate rolled out. I-PASS Assist expanded. The Illinois Tollway app was introduced. The goal of planting the equivalent of 58,000 trees was surpassed. Many other milestones were achieved despite the challenges presented by a global pandemic. 

Now wrapping up its 11th year of its 15-year, $14 billion Move Illinois capital program, the Illinois Tollway continues to deliver significant transportation infrastructure improvements for the more than 1.5 million daily drivers on the Tollway system. 

Cassaundra Rouse, speaking at her first Move Illinois Quarterly meeting as executive director of the Illinois Tollway, provided an update on the capital program status and progress for the live audience of more than 250 construction and engineering professionals working on Tollway projects. 

“Thank you to the legions of Tollway staff, consultants, engineers and contractors for helping to deliver these important projects to our customers and the communities we serve,” said Rouse. “Through this program we are not only taking care of existing needs, but also expanding the system to meet the needs of the region’s future.”

Tollway leadership shared highlights from 2022 and a look ahead of work coming down the pike, including ongoing work on the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) and I-490 Tollway projects, as well as upcoming contract opportunities for construction and professional engineering services firms. 

Leadership also detailed new technology initiatives, such as the growing use of e-Ticketing for materials delivery and investments in technologies to enhance safety on the Tollway system. Another focus was on new policies, such as the development of a delivery program for the design-build model of project delivery. In addition, leadership outlined improvements to procurement processes to bring greater efficiencies in qualifications-based selections and the continued success of the Tollway’s various diversity programs to help small, diverse and veteran-owned firms grow and succeed. 

The Tollway’s Move Illinois Quarterly presentation and additional resources can be found here

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