IDOT reviewing grading bid for Western Bypass

State transportation officials might soon award a bid for mass grading work in the construction of the so-called Western Bypass in Algonquin.

Ryan Incorporated Central, a Wisconsin company with an office in Elgin, submitted a bid of $4.89 million, the lowest among six that came in March 9, Illinois Department of Transportation spokesman Guy Tridgell said Friday. The bypass will divert major traffic from the intersection of Routes 31 and 62 in downtown Algonquin.

IDOT is currently reviewing the bid; contracts are usually finalized within 45 days of bid submissions, Tridgell said.

Transportation officials tentatively expect to seek bids in June for the main construction contract, provided that all land acquisition, permits and agreements are finalized, IDOT spokesman Mike Claffey said. If so, the main construction project is anticipated to begin in September, while mass grading work should be done by November, Claffey said.

“The main contract will take approximately two years, and if we can award it during the June letting, we anticipate the bypass will be open by late fall 2013, with landscaping the following year,” he said. “There will be some traffic impacts once the main contract starts, but more impact in 2013.”

IDOT used condemnation proceedings to acquired several parcels of land along the bypass route. The department still needs to acquire land belonging to Meyer Material Co. at 10500 S. Route 31, and a small strip of land at 801 W. Algonquin Road belonging to the U.S. Postal Service, Tridgell said.

Last month, Algonquin hired a consultant to work on a strategic plan to enhance its downtown as a walkable, mixed-use business district once the Western Bypass is built. The downtown planning study led by Land Vision Inc., which has offices in Chicago and St. Charles, will be funded by a $90,000 community planning program grant from the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning.