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Illinois Tollway launches $2 billion "Bridging the Future" capital program to run through Feb. 2031
Summary
The Illinois Tollway has begun work on a $2 billion, seven-year capital program called Bridging the Future to continue system modernization, plan major interchanges and expand opportunities for small and diverse contractors; staff reported initial contracts and a 2025 advertising target of about $90 million.
Chief Engineering Officer Menar told the Illinois Tollway Engineering, Planning and Development Oversight Committee that the agency has started work on a $2 billion Bridging the Future capital program that will run through Feb. 2031.
"We are off and running," Chief Engineering Officer Menar said, describing the program as a seven‑year initiative that will overlap with the Move Illinois construction peak and begin planning and design work this year.
The program, Menar said, has four central themes: improving mobility, connecting infrastructure, modernizing the system and preparing for tomorrow. It will begin early planning and design for major corridor projects while Move Illinois projects remain under construction to smooth the transition between capital programs.
Menar told directors the Tollway plans to advertise roughly $90,000,000 of design and construction work from the Bridging the Future program in 2025 and that staff already advertised several professional services contracts. "By starting the Bridging the Future program this year, we're initiating the critical planning and design work, to prepare for future construction," Menar said.
Staff emphasized that the program also aims to expand contracting opportunities for small and diverse businesses and to continue investments in the Tollway's workforce and construction and engineering firms. Menar noted the program was approved by the board in December and that staff moved quickly to begin implementation.
The update provided no formal board action at the committee meeting; it was an informational briefing and preview of contracts that Tollway staff will bring forward for formal approval later this year.
