ACEC Illinois Engineering Excellence Awards
2025-03-05
Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse joined project teams in celebrating recognition from the American Council of Engineering Companies of Illinois at the annual Engineering Excellence Awards Gala on February 27 in Rosemont.
Two Illinois Tollway projects earned Honor Awards, recognizing exceptional engineering that meets client needs and enhances public welfare:
- St. Charles Road Interchange Project
- Reconstruction and widening of I-294 from 75th Street to I-55
Each year, ACEC Illinois honors outstanding engineering achievements by Illinois consulting engineering firms. Projects are evaluated on engineering excellence, how well they fulfill client needs and their impact on both public welfare and the engineering profession.
A key component of the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Project, the $41.5 million St. Charles Road Interchange Project improves connectivity between I-290, the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), and I-294 – alleviating congestion and eliminating a long-standing bottleneck.
The project team featured:
- TranSystems – Owner’s Representative, Construction Corridor Manager, and Construction Manager, ensuring seamless coordination
- AECOM, Jacobs, and Benesch – Expert design support
- Plote Construction & Dunnet Bay Construction (joint venture) – High-quality execution as general contractors
Reconstruction and Widening of I-294 from 75th St. to I-55 is part of the larger I-294 reconstruction and widening from Balmoral Avenue to 95th Street. This $135 million project enhances capacity, reduces congestion and improves travel reliability – ensuring the Tollway system meets growing transportation demands.
Key contributors include:
- Globetrotters Engineering – Delivering excellence to meet and exceed project goals
- TranSystems – Continuing its role as Owner’s Representative for the I-294 corridor
- AECOM – Design Corridor Manager, helping bring this vision to life
The Illinois Tollway is proud to collaborate with dedicated engineers, designers and contractors who bring innovation and expertise to every project. These awards celebrate the collective effort and ingenuity that keep Illinois moving forward.