Construction Restarts on Interstate 88 Project

Since winter has ended, construction activity has resumed on the Reagan Memorial Tollway Interstate 88 Rebuild & Widen Project between the Aurora Toll Plaza and Orchard Road as reconstruction of the westbound Fox River Bridge begins, the Illinois Tollway announced.

Work on the bridge will begin with demolition of the existing structure which will impact travel on Illinois Route 25. Traffic in both directions is traveling on the new eastbound Fox River Bridge.

Reconstruction of the existing Fox River Bridge is needed to accommodate the rebuilding and widening of the Tollway from the Aurora Toll Plaza to Orchard Road. A new Fox River Bridge was completed in 2008 to carry eastbound traffic, and when reconstruction is complete in 2010, the existing bridge will carry westbound traffic. The work is part of the Illinois Tollway’s $6.3 billion Congestion-Relief Program.

Minneapolis I-35W Bridge Named Most Significant 2008 Project

A new bridge over the Mississippi River in Minneapolis that replaced the collapsed Interstate 35W Bridge has been named as the most significant construction project of 2008, says the Associated General Contractors of America.

The I-35W Bridge project was selected as the Aon Build America Grand Award winner because contractors on the project demonstrated diligence in completing the project three months early, while overcoming challenges and constraints under the watchful eye of the public and the media. More important, the project was crucial in helping rebuild Americans’ confidence in the safety of the nation’s bridges.

Twelve other projects were recognized for their complexity, innovation, success and their significance to the construction community and the nation at large. Of these three were in the Midwest:

• Westin Book Cadillac Hotel and Condominiums, Detroit, Building Renovation Award

• Fernald Preserve Visitors Center, Harrison, Ohio, Building New—Under $5 Million Award

• Kalamazoo College Hicks Center, Kalamazoo, Mich., Construction Management Renovation Award

Flash Index Slippage Continues in February

The economy in Illinois continues to slip but there may be some reason for optimism in comparison to other states, according to the University of Illinois Flash Index.

The score of 100 is the dividing line between economic growth and slippage, and the index slipped to 96.3 in February, down from 97 in January, reflecting the fact that Illinois is not escaping the effects of the global recession.

But U of I economist J. Fred Giertz, who compiles the Flash Index for the Institute of Government and Public Affairs, says there is some good news.

“So far, Illinois seems to have been affected less severely by the recession compared to the rest of the country,” Giertz says. “During 2008, Illinois’ unemployment rate rose 1.6 percentage points to 7.2%, while the rate for the whole country rose 2.3 percentage points, ending the year at 7.2% as well.”

Even so, the current recession is the worst since the early 1980s and it appears the low point has not yet been reached, Giertz says.

“It is difficult to predict the end of the recession, which officially began in November 2007,” he says. “Most recessions don’t last more than 18 months, but the current one is deeper than average.”

The Flash Index has now spent three consecutive months under 100. The reading of 96.3 is the lowest since September 2003, when the index reached 96.2.

As was the case in January, real receipts for individual income tax, corporate tax and sales tax, the three components of the Flash Index were down compared to the same month a year ago, Giertz said.

InDOT Identifies 29 Projects for Recovery Funding

The Indiana Department of Transportation has identified 29 infrastructure projects valued at $43.6 million that have been identified for its second round of funding with federal stimulus money.

The list includes road construction, resurfacing, bridge construction, highway maintenance and improved traffic safety measures.

Funding for these projects will come from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act signed by President Barack Obama on Feb. 17. They will be awarded on a lowest-bid basis.