Governor Quinn Announces $2 Million for Road Projects in Kendall and Will Counties

LOCKPORT – Governor Pat Quinn today announced capital investments of more than $1.6 million for road projects in Kendall and Will Counties, part of his Illinois Jobs Now! capital construction program. The projects are part of Governor Quinn’s agenda to create jobs and drive Illinois’ economy forward.

“Our investments will make it safer and more convenient for motorists traveling through Kendall and Will Counties,” Governor Quinn said. “The projects will also employ a number of construction workers, which will drive the local economy forward.”

The projects will be managed by the Illinois Department of Transportation.

New Avenue through Lockport, Romeoville and Lemont will be upgraded with rumble strip and guard rail replacements. The work will be on a stretch of the road from the Cook County line to Illinois Route 171 (Archer Avenue), and will be done by K-Five Construction Corporation of Lemont, the lowest of five bidders at $1,529,806.

“Governor Quinn and IDOT understand the importance of transportation to Will County and with this investment for key road projects that improve safety and enhance access for industry, they have demonstrated an ongoing commitment to working with us to address local infrastructure needs,” Will County Executive Larry Walsh said.

An old water main will be abandoned and a new 16 inch water main and six inch force main installed in Minooka at the intersection of Minooka Road and Interstate 80. The work will be done by D Construction, Inc. of Coal City, the lowest of seven bidders at $440,983.

“I’d like to commend Governor Quinn for thinking of Kendall County again,” Kendall County Board Chairman John Shaw said. “The Minooka area is experiencing rapid growth and this will help our county continue to upgrade our infrastructure.”

State Street from Steger Road to south of Berk Lane in Crete will be resurfaced and receive new pavement sensors and markings. Iroquois Paving Corporation of Watseka was the lowest of three bidders for the work at $82,253.

“Investing in local infrastructure projects will help grow the local and state economy by employing thousands of people,” State Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno (R-Lemont) said. “Additionally, by demonstrating Illinois prioritizes maintenance of our roadways, the state will attract and retain employers who place a premium on extensive, high-quality transportation infrastructure.”

“Rumble strips and new guard rails will warn motorist that they are getting close to the edge of the roadway which will improve safety along New Avenue,” House Minority Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) said. “I am pleased that work on this project will soon get underway and that the contract went to a local construction firm.”

“The improvements of New Avenue through Lockport and Romeoville shows our state’s continued efforts to upgrade Will Counties infrastructure needs,” State Representative Emily McAsey (D-Lockport) said. “In addition to creating construction jobs, the projects in the region will help spur economic growth by further meeting the needs of local businesses.”

The projects are part of Governor Quinn’s $31 billion Illinois Jobs Now! program, which will support more than 439,000 jobs over six years. Illinois Jobs Now! is the largest capital construction program in Illinois history, and is one of the largest capital construction programs in the nation.