Governor Quinn Announces $5.9 Million for Construction Projects in North Central Illinois

NORMAL - Governor Pat Quinn today announced an investment of $5.9 million for construction projects in LaSalle, McLean, Peoria, Tazewell and Woodford 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 address critical infrastructure needs in north central Illinois, improve safety and increase mobility," Governor Quinn said. "The projects will also employ a number of construction workers, which benefits the local economy."

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

LaSalle County

County Highway 29 will be improved from North 18th Road to Oakley Avenue for $1,678,254 by Streator Asphalt Inc. of Herscher, the lower of two bidders. The work includes cold-in-place pavement recycling, widening, surfacing, new guardrails, patching and markings.

McLean County

Capen Auditorium at Illinois State University in Normal will be renovated for $1.27 million in a project managed by the Illinois Capital Development Board. The work includes replacing the seats, carpet and acoustical curtains; upgrading the mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems; space modifications; and painting. Five contracts were awarded for the work: Siemens Industry Inc. of Buffalo Grove, plumbing, $147,400; Oberlander Electric Co. of East Peoria, electrical, $139,900; PIPCO Companies Ltd. of Peoria, ventilation, $152,600; Mid-Illinois Mechanical Inc. of Bloomington, heating, ventilation and air conditioning, $123,000; and Johnco Construction Inc. of Mackinaw, general construction, $707,600.

Peoria County

Sterling Avenue in Peoria will be improved from Rhodera to Nebraska Avenue to Farmington Road for $1,879,197 by Stark Excavating Inc. of Bloomington, the lowest of four bidders. The work includes new pavement, curb and gutter, median, sidewalk, storm sewer, guard rail and seeding.

Illinois Route 90 will receive microsurfacing treatment from Illinois Route 91 to Illinois Route 40 just south of Edelstein. The work will be done for $156,617 by Missouri Petroleum Products Company LLC of St. Louis, the lowest of three bidders.

Tazewell County

The slope along U.S. Route 24 west of Hollands Grove Road near Washington will be stabilized for $94,725 by Phoenix Corporation of the Quad Cities from Port Byron.

Woodford County

Illinois Route 89 will be improved from west of Hillcrest Road in Washburn to east of Lowpoint Road for $867,806 by Advanced Asphalt Company of Princeton, the lower of two bidders. The work includes adding shoulders, rumble strips and upgrading guard rails.

"Sterling Avenue is a major arterial road in parts of Peoria," State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) said. "It's important that the state is investing nearly $2 million to keep it safe and well-maintained."

"These projects will help improve our local infrastructure and also help provide jobs to local residents," State Representative Jehan Gordon-Booth (D-Peoria) said. "Making sure our roads and highways are safe for travel is important but making investments in our infrastructure is good for economy and future."

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.