Aug. 19, 2025

Employee Spotlight: District 2 Local Roads and Streets Engineer Shawn Ortgiesen

Local Roads and Streets Engineer Shawn Ortgiesen began his career at IDOT as a summer technician during college. Throughout his 10 years with the department, he served in the Engineering Cooperative Education Program and as a local roads field liaison engineer before being promoted to his current position.

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IDOT announces completion of lllinois 50, Armour Road project in Bradley

Illinois Transportation Secretary Gia Biagi joined state and local officials Aug. 12 to announce the completion of a modernized intersection at Illinois 50 (Bradley Boulevard) and Armour Road, a $13.8 million project to improve connections, mobility and safety in an area surrounded by shops, hotels and Kankakee County’s largest employer in CSL Behring. The project was the final step in a series of improvements to address longtime community safety and congestion concerns made possible through Gov. JB Pritzker’s historic, bipartisan Rebuild Illinois program. 

Just west of the intersection, the four-way stop at Armour Road and Arthur Burch Drive/Pharmaceutical Drive was replaced with a traffic signal to help eliminate chronic backups at the former main entrance into CSL Behring, a pharmaceutical manufacturer on a 138-acre campus. ​Construction was substantially completed in July, with some minor work remaining.

Region 1, District 1: Work is underway to replace the bridge that carries Michigan City Road over the Bishop Ford Freeway (Interstate 94) in Dolton and Calumet City. The bridge is located just south of the Sibley Boulevard (Illinois 83) interchange.

To complete the work, Michigan City Road will be closed at the bridge. The inbound Bishop Ford ramp to eastbound Sibley Boulevard (Illinois 83) also will be closed. Motorists should follow the posted detours. The public also should expect shoulder closures and overnight lane closures in both of the Bishop Ford at Michigan City Road.

The $12.1 million project, which also includes new LED lighting and ADA upgrades, is anticipated to be completed late 2026.

Region 5, District 9: Construction of the roundabout at Illinois 37 and Wildcat Drive in Marion is complete and open to traffic following a two-month closure. The new intersection improves access to Pyramid Park and Marion High School along Wildcat Drive.

The roundabout is part of a $16.7 million effort that will include earthwork, drainage improvements, resurfacing, and shoulder widening from Wildcat Drive to Illinois 148. The entire project is on track for completion in 2026.

Letting Update

Sept. 19 is the following letting for statewide construction projects that are scheduled in 2025. Here are some dates to note in advance of the letting. 

• Aug. 29 at 4:30 p.m. Prequalification cutoff (Date that contractors must be qualified to bid on contracts.)
• Sept. 12 at 4:30 p.m. Joint venture cutoff (three contractor limit. Date for these groups who want to bid can do so).   
• Sept. 16 at 4:30 p.m. Request for authorization to bid cutoff (Final date for contractors who are authorized to bid on contracts). 
• Sept. 19 at noon Letting (Bids can be submitted until 11:59 a.m. on the day. Bids are shut down at noon). 

If you are new to the IDOT bid letting process or need updated information, following are some helpful resources:

• Transportation Bulletin
• EBids
• Letting Schedule
• Electronic Subscription Service
• Prequalification
• Authorization to Bid
• Bid Bonds