move Illinois program

In 2011, the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority adopted the 15-year, $14B capital program, Move Illinois: The Illinois Tollway Driving the Future. This significant highway construction program includes the installation of cutting-edge energy-efficient lighting and various smart highway systems spread across numerous contracts.

These contracts, most frequently found along I-90 and the Elgin – O’Hare Western Access Corridor, represent the installation of close to 2,000 LED energy-efficient highway lights. Other work scopes within the Move Illinois Program include Intelligent Transportation (ITS), Dynamic Messaging (DMS), Microwave Vehicle Detection (MVDS), and Roadway Weather Information (RWIS) Systems, Active Traffic Management (ATM), an upgraded and expanded camera system and traffic sensors. In addition, over 500,000 LF of fiber optic cable has been laid down to allow future technology implementation.

Aldridge was brought into the program early on to test fixture performance prior to project specification development. Aldridge installed three test situations, monitored performance, and compiled the results for the Tollway’s use. Actual program construction kicked off in early 2013, and since then Aldridge has been awarded and completed over 80 individual projects valued at $240M; 12 active projects currently valued at nearly $40M. Aldridge has been both Prime Contractor and Subcontractor for the program’s many projects.

The work involves a significant amount of interchanges which require intense coordination between all involved organizations. The busy interchange at I-90 and Route 47 was an example of stakeholder coordination and earned the distinction of being the first LED lighting system installed in the state of Illinois.