Governor Quinn Breaks Ground on $10.6 Million Widening Project for I-57 near Marion

MARION – Governor Pat Quinn today joined state and local officials to break ground on a $10.6 million I-57 widening project near Marion. The improvements between Marion and Johnston City will include adding a third traffic lane, replacing and widening the I-57 bridges over Lake Creek Branch and other associated work. The project is part of Governor Quinn’s agenda to create jobs and drive Illinois’ economy forward, and is in addition to $69 million in other road projects underway in the Marion area.

“This stretch of I-57 near Marion is one of the most critical for drivers in the region,” Governor Quinn said. “This project will make getting to work, school or connecting with family easier while bringing jobs and more economic growth to Southern Illinois.”

Southern Illinois Asphalt Co., Inc. of Marion submitted the lowest bid of $10.6 million for the I-57 project. The Illinois Department of Transportation will manage the project, which should be complete by December 2014.

“We are proud to break ground on such an important project and plan for another robust construction season in the Southern Illinois region,” Illinois Transportation Secretary Ann L. Schneider said. “This project will support the STAR Bond Commercial District and is essential for the expansion of commerce in Southern Illinois. In addition, the project will improve safety and reduce traffic congestion for motorists.”

The I-57 work represents one of many state and local construction projects ongoing in the Williamson County area. Other projects totaling more than $69 million in the area include:

• I-57 and Illinois Route 13 Interchange: Reconstruction to a Single Point Urban Diamond Interchange, with lanes added on I-57 and Illinois Route 13, and new ramps to Morgan Avenue. F.H. Paschen Contractors was the lowest of four bidders for the work at $40,472,485.
• Illinois Route 13 and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad at Marion: Roadway grade separation at railroad crossing, and additional lanes to be constructed on Illinois 13, by E.T. Simonds Construction Co., the lowest of five bidders at $19,694,036.
• Illinois Route 13 and Russell Street in Marion: Additional lanes on Illinois 13 and intersection improvement at Russell Street, constructed by E.T. Simonds Construction Co. at $3,231,617.
• Morgan Avenue in Marion from Carbon Street east to North Russell Street: Street widening with drainage ditches, culverts, curb and gutter and other items installed for $1,701,444. Sierra Bravo Contractors, LLC of Sesser was the lowest of three bidders for the work.
• Illinois 13 near Carterville from west of the Shawnee Trail to west of Greenbriar: Through lanes both eastbound and westbound to be added for $1,246,452. Southern Illinois Asphalt Co., Inc. was the low bidder on this project from among three proposals submitted.
• Main Street to Wolf Creek Road in Crainville: Construction of nearly a half-mile of new frontage road and a bike path. George E. Jones Excavating, LLC of Marion was the lowest of three bidders for the work at $855,032.
• South Market Road from North Shoreland Drive to Golf Course Road southeast of Marion: Resurfacing of 6.5 miles of pavement. Short Brothers Construction Co., Inc. of Marion was the lowest of three bidders at $871,870.
• Herrin Street from North 20th Street to the Herrin City limits: 1.75-mile resurfacing project for $538,985 by Short Brothers Construction Co., Inc. of Marion, the lowest of three bidders.
• Illinois Route 149 between Route 184 and Route 148 in Williamson County: 2.7-mile resurfacing project. Short Brothers Construction Co., Inc. of Marion was the lowest of three bidders at $333,322.
• I-57 weigh station located seven miles south of Marion: Pavement markings to be replaced at $52,566 by Varsity Striping & Construction Co. of Champaign.
• Illinois Route 148 in Herrin: 1.2 miles of patching work at $63,150 by E.T. Simonds Construction Co. of Carbondale, the lower of two bidders.

These projects are part of Governor Quinn’s $31 billion Illinois Jobs Now! program, which is supporting more than 439,000 jobs over six years. Illinois Jobs Now! is the largest capital construction program in Illinois history, and is one of the largest capital construction programs in the nation.