Governor Quinn Announces $17 Million for Construction Projects in Southern Illinois

OKAWVILLE - Governor Pat Quinn today announced an investment of $17 million for construction projects in Clinton, Edwards, Franklin, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Marion, Perry, Randolph, Saline, Washington, Wayne and White Counties. Funded by his Illinois Jobs Now! construction program, the projects are part of Governor Quinn's commitment to creating jobs and driving Illinois' economy forward.

"These projects will make sure our infrastructure in southern Illinois is well-maintained to improve safety and longevity," Governor Quinn said. "The projects will also employ a number of construction workers, which will drive local economies forward."

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

Clinton County

U.S. Route 50 from Huey Road to the relocated Shattuc Road will receive five miles of cape seal treatment for $639,400 by Howell Paving, Inc. of Mattoon, the lowest of three bidders.

Edwards County

A bridge over a drainage ditch about 2.5 miles southwest of Browns will be replaced for $168,166 by Perry County Construction Company of Herrin.

Franklin County

Just over two-tenths of a mile of Illinois Route 149 in Zeigler will be patched and resurfaced for $114,764 by E.T. Simonds Construction Company of Carbondale, the lower of two bidders.

Jackson County

Reed Station Road in Carbondale will be improved between Illinois Route 13 to Lavern Road for $3,967,281 by Sierra Bravo Contractors, LLC of Sesser, the lowest of three bidders. The work includes a full depth reconstruction featuring excavation, paving, storm sewer, pipe culverts, curb and gutter and pavement markings.

The fire alarm system in three buildings on the Southern Illinois University Carbondale campus will be upgraded for $1,902,789 by Clinton Electric, Inc. of Ina, the lowest of three bidders. The Faner Hall, Lesar Law School and Forestry Buildings will receive new alarm systems which will include smoke and heat detection, public address systems, audio-visual notification and fire alarm activated elevator controls. The Illinois Capital Development Board will manage the project.

Sidewalk, crosswalk, and curb and gutter replacement will be done on various streets in Carbondale for $214,040 by Pinoy Construction, Inc. of Harrisburg, the lowest of three bidders.

Jefferson County

County Highway 35 west of Waterville will receive 3.9 miles of microsurfacing treatment from North Ridge Lane to Illinois Route 148. Microsurfacing Contractors, LLC of St. Louis was the lowest of three bidders at $206,324.

Johnson County

A bridge carrying U.S. Route 45 over Pond Creek at the Johnson and Williamson County line will be replaced for $253,231 by Perry County Construction Company of Herrin.

Marion County

County Highway 28 east of Centralia will be improved from Illinois Route 37 to Adams Road, and from Clifton Road to the Wayne County line. The total project encompasses 3.51 miles. Howell Paving, Inc. of Mattoon was the low bidder at $699,559.

Perry County

The Exhibition Hall on the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds will be rehabilitated for $1,026,646 by Korte & Luitjohan Contractors, Inc. of Highland, the lowest of seven bidders. The work includes replacing damaged brick masonry; replacing select steel lintels, or window frames and associated stone work; testing to determine if additional lintels need to be replaced; tuckpointing; and roof replacement, including gutters, downspouts and drainage fixtures. The Illinois Capital Development Board will manage the project.

Work on Main Street in DuQuoin from Washington to Hickory Streets will be completed for $561,848 by Southern Illinois Asphalt Co., Inc. of Marion, the lower of two bidders. The work includes a new road surface, stormwater inlets, crosswalks and pavement markings.

Randolph County

A sidewalk will be constructed along the east side of Hillcrest Drive in Sparta from West University Avenue to Bradbury Lane. The work includes pavement widening, curb and gutter, storm sewers and a box culvert. H & M Backhoe Service, Inc. of Swansea was the lowest of three bidders for the work at $368,552.

Saline County

Illinois Route 34 will be resurfaced, patched and receive wider shoulders from the American Coal Mine entrance to Raleigh Road. The work will be done for $3,271,127 by E.T. Simonds Construction Company of Carbondale.

A bridge carrying Illinois Route 13 over the Middle Fork of the Big Muddy River east of Harrisburg will receive deck and joint repairs for $150,392 by E.T. Simonds Construction Company of Carbondale.

Washington County

Illinois Route 177 will receive a total of 9.8 miles of resurfacing at two locations in Washington County. The first location is east of Waterworks Road in Okawville to Route 127, and the second is west of U.S. Route 51 to the Jefferson County line, including work on the U.S. 51/Illinois 177 interchange ramps. Howell Paving, Inc. of Mattoon was the lowest of four bidders for the job at $3,208,178.

Wayne County

A bridge carrying Township Road 426 over Deer Creek about three miles southeast of Cisne will be replaced for $279,945 by Perry County Construction Company of Herrin, the lower of two bidders.

White County

A bridge over a Tributary of Limekiln Creek about five miles southeast of Burnt Prairie will be replaced for $197,325 by Perry County Construction Company of Herrin, the lower of two bidders.

"It's good to see these infrastructure improvements at the DuQuoin Fair Grounds and at SIUC being done," State Senator David Luechtefeld (R-Okawville) said. "These life and safety upgrades on the three academic buildings will make for a better environment for the students who learn in them."

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 construction program in Illinois history, and is one of the largest construction programs in the nation.