Illinois Tollway Recognizes Contractors for Outstanding Work in 2022
Approximately 1,500 industry and agency professionals gathered at the Illinois Road and Transportation Builders Association 85th Annual Meeting and Holiday Party in Rosemont on December 8 to celebrate successful projects completed in 2022.
“Many of the firms here today played an integral role in delivering key projects in our Move Illinois Program,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. “The firms we’re recognizing distinguished themselves by bringing high-quality work, innovation and extensive coordination to get the job done on time and within budget.”
Rouse was joined by Acting Chief Engineering Officer Manar Nashif in recognizing five contractors for their outstanding work on Tollway projects. Leadership from the Illinois Department of Transportation, Chicago Department of Transportation, Chicago Department of Aviation, Chicago Transit Authority, Metra and various county transportation agencies presented awards for their projects, as well.
The Tollway recognized Areatha Construction as its “New Prime Contractor of the Year” for its valuable contribution to noisewall construction on the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) and Ogden Avenue Interchange ramps. This work needed to be completed prior to mainline reconstruction to provide noise abatement to the neighboring community.
Two disadvantaged business enterprise firms received awards for their work.
Natural Creations Landscaping is being recognized as “DBE Contractor of the Year” for its commitment to the Illinois Tollway’s success, specifically providing landscaping services to the Tollway along the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) and the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355). A certified disadvantaged and minority-owned business enterprise firm, Natural Creations has served in the past several years as a prime on 12 landscaping contracts, a critical component to Tollway projects.
And MA Rebar, a certified woman-owned business enterprise firm, was named “DBE Subcontractor of the Year” in recognition of the firm providing more than 10 million pounds of rebar to support the more than 33,000 cubic yards of concrete used to construct the southbound Mile Long Bridge. Its attention to detail and commitment to successful project delivery was much appreciated on this significant Tollway project.
Dunnet Bay Construction is being recognized as the Tollway “Bridge Contractor of the Year” for its commitment to delivering Phase Two of the Tri-State Tollway (I-294)/I-57 Interchange Project two years ahead of schedule. Working in coordination with IDOT and local communities, Dunnet Bay was instrumental in delivering two new ramp bridges carrying southbound I-57 traffic to I-294, including a flyover ramp bridge connecting southbound I-57 to southbound I-294 and 147th Street to southbound I-57.
The Tollway “Contractor of the Year Award” went to Walsh Construction in recognition of the firm’s successful delivery on several high-profile Tollway projects this year, including the Mile Long Bridge Project and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway (BNSF) Bridge Project, as well as its work on the ongoing Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Project. Walsh used innovative construction methods to keep these two bridge projects on schedule and within budget, while demonstrating leadership and a commitment to diversity.