"The ceremony allows state agencies to recognize companies for outstanding work in 2023. Award winners have shown quality, adaptability, creativity, cooperation, consideration, economy, and innovation," said Mike Sturino, President and CEO of IRTBA.
Six major transportation agencies — the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), the Illinois Tollway, Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT), the Chicago Transit Authority, Metra, and the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA), along with five county departments of transportation, recognized companies that have given taxpayers an exceptional return on their investment by exceeding project expectations.
IDOT awarded the Portland Cement Concrete Paving Award to Lorig Construction Company and the Hot Mix Asphalt Award to R. W. Dunteman Company. The New Bridge Construction Award was presented to ICC Group, Inc., and the Bridge Rehabilitation Award went to S & J Construction Company, Inc.Gallagher Asphalt Corporation earned the Urban Improvement Award; Metropolitan Steel, Inc. won the DBE Subcontractor of the Year Award; the Special Recognition Award went to Natural Creations Landscaping, Inc.Path Construction Company won the Small Construction Project Award and Martam Construction, Inc. earned the Outstanding Subcontractor Award. The Work Zone Traffic Control Award went to Highstar Traffic.
The Illinois Tollway honored Walsh Construction Co. as Contractor of the Year for its work reconstructing and widening the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) between 75th Street and the 83rd Street Toll Plaza. Dunnet Bay Construction Co. was named Bridge Contractor of the Year for its work on the new I-490/IL Route 390 Interchange. Sheridan Plumbing and Sewer Inc. won Diverse Contractor of the Year for its work on the Tollway’s new Hoffman Estates (M05) Maintenance Facility. K-Five Construction Company earned the Paving Contractor of the Year Award for several projects along the Central Tri-State Tollway and I-88. The Special Recognition Award was presented to the George Sollitt Construction Company for constructing the Hoffman Estates (M-5) maintenance facility that is LEED-certified and ADA-compliant. Plote Construction Inc. earned the Small Business Advocacy Award for its commitment to the success of the Tollway’s Emerging Technologies Initiative, specifically training small businesses to use automated machine guidance for earthwork and grading. The Small Business of the Year Award went to Foundation Mechanics, LLC, for projects across the Tollway system, including bridge rehabilitation on the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) and roadway construction along the new I-490 Tollway.
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CDOT presented the Roadway Contractor of the Year Award to F.H. Paschen, who successfully implemented improvements throughout Jackson Park requiring extensive coordination with the Obama Presidential Foundation, Chicago Park District, University of Chicago, and other stakeholders. The Bridge Subcontractor of the Year Award went to S & J Construction Company Inc. for erecting inclined arches, span ribs, girders, and main span ribs over eight lanes of DuSable Lake Shore Drive and six Metra Electric/CN Railroads tracks. Bigane Paving Company won the Resurfacing Contractor of the Year Award for its North DuSable Lake Shore Drive project. John Burns Construction earned the Lighting Contractor of the Year Award for implementing rectangular rapid flashing beacons, pedestrian refuge islands, and curb extensions on Irving Park Road from Maplewood Avenue to Greenview Avenue. The Technology Implementation Subcontractor of the Year Award went to LiveWire Construction for installing traffic detection cameras at multiple locations on Broadway and on Sheridan Road between Devon Avenue and Hollywood Avenue.
The Chicago Transit Authority presented Kiewit Construction Company with the Construction Contractor of the Year Award for the Forest Park Phase 1 Rebuild Project, a track renewal project on the Forest Park Branch of the Chicago Transit Authority’s Blue Line. The DBE Contractor of the Year Award was presented to GSG Consultants, Inc. for the Forest Park Phase 1 Rebuild Project, a track renewal project on the Forest Park Branch of the Chicago Transit Authority’s Blue Line. A joint venture of WSP USA Inc. and Ardmore Roderick, the Congress Corridor Partners, won the Professional Service Contractor of the Year Award for the Forest Park Phase 1 Rebuild Project, a track renewal project on the Forest Park Branch of the Chicago Transit Authority’s Blue Line.
CDA awarded their Contractor of the Year Award to Turner Paschen Aviation Partners for the Lower Concourse C Extension Project as part of the O’Hare 21 Terminal Area Plan.
METRA presented IHC Construction Companies LLC with the Contractor of the Year Award for the rehabilitation of the Rock Island District Vermont Street station in Blue Island, Illinois. ERA Valdivia Contractors, Inc. won the DBE Contractor of the Year Award for lead abatement, cleaning, and painting of rail bridges over Dempster Street and Davis Street on the UP North Line in Evanston, Illinois. Aurora Brick Cleaners, Inc. earned the DBE Subcontractor of the Year Award for providing tile work as part of the rebuilding of the west side of Ravenswood Station along Metra's Union Pacific-North line; Cardinal State, LLC, also earned a DBE Subcontractor of the Year Award for providing landscape installation services as part of the rehabilitation of the Rock Island District Vermont Street station in Blue Island, Illinois. Pro Temp of Illinois, Inc. won the Specialty Contractor of the Year Award for the removal and replacement of the transfer table, overhead contact wires, and supporting structure at the Metra 47th Street Yard.
Six of the collar counties, including Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will, gave out Contractor of the Year Awards for the best localized projects for the year.
IRTBA presented awards to multiple members. Christopher Snyder, P.E. won the 2023 Friend of the Industry Award for his career dedicated to improving transportation through his commitment to public service. Mike Paine of Dunnet Bay Construction Company won the Recruiter of the Year Award, which is given annually to an individual of a member firm in recognition of their efforts to recruit and retain members to the association. The IRTBA Sustainability Council awarded Granite Construction as this year’s Sustainability Champion for their Cicero Ogden Intermodal Civil Improvements Project, a Granite/K-Five Joint Venture; both firms will be receiving a plaque.
