Negocios Now

NegociosNow El Especial 10 August 2013 www.negociosnow.com Minorities play major role in Chicago transportation work M inority-owned businesses are playing an important role in upgrading Chicago's historic 'L' train system and Illinois' highway and tollway systems, thanks to a successful building partnership and governmental diversity efforts. Parsons Brinckerhoff is providing construction management services for Red Line track renewal and station improvement projects with construction costs of $220 million and $44 million, respectively, on the Dan Ryan branch of the Red Line. The roughly 10-mile stretch is closed during the rehabilitation work, with the majority of construction completed in less than five months. John Trotta, Parsons Brinckerhoff Senior Vice President and Regional Manager of the Central Division, said his company partnered with Chicago-based GSG Consultants, a certified Minority Owned Business and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, and GSG President Guillermo Garcia, to provide engineering and construction consulting services on this and other transportation contracts. The Dan Ryan Red Line project calls for complete reconstruction of track work from the subway portal at 16th Street south to 95th Street. Eight passenger stations along the Dan Ryan branch will receive basic cbof CHICAGO BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY FAIR enhancements and additional customer amenities, along with upgrades to various architectural, civil, structural, mechanical and electrical elements. The work is part of Mayor Rahm Emanuel's "Building A New Chicago" program, which is updating infrastructure critical to the city. Garcia said Mayor Emanuel, CTA Chairman Terry Peterson and CTA President Forrest Claypool have lent critical support for minority inclusion in all phases of these projects. The CTA held forums for minorityowned businesses and major firms to network and form diverse teams to carry out the work. "The CTA chairman and president engaged both majority and minority firms in the agency's efforts to develop strong, diverse teams to help the CTA improve its infrastructure," Garcia said. Parsons Brinckerhoff and GSG Consultants are working together on at least two other major projects in the region: The Illiana Corridor and the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway project. The Illiana Corridor Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is being performed by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and the Indiana Department of Transportation to evaluate a proposed 47-mile toll road between I-55 in Illinois and I-65 in Indiana. The study is focused on the southern fringe of the metro area, where population and employment are expected to double by 2040. Parsons Brinckerhoff is the prime consultant for the two-tiered EIS and for public-private partnership (P3) advisory services on Illinois' first P3 project. Parsons Brinckerhoff is also serving as lead designer on the $300 million-plus effort to widen and rebuild a six-mile stretch of the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) between the Kennedy Expressway and Oakton Street. Modernizing this section of tollway is an important component of "Move Illinois", the Illinois Tollway's $12 billion, 15-year capital program. Trotta said the partnership with GSG Consultants is a two-way street, and both firms learn from each other. "These projects have led to job growth and skill set improvements that enhance GSG's ability to team with major architecture/engineering firms and to pursue larger, more diverse infrastructure projects as a prime firm. They bring quality staff, and Parsons Brinckerhoff gains insight into their entrepreneurial spirit," he said. Garcia added, "GSG Consultants is proud to partner with Parsons Brinckerhoff on these major Photo Brian Morowczyniski Guillermo Garcia and John Trotta (right) at the CTA Green Line Ashland Station. projects, as well as with other firms on projects throughout the region." Similar to what was seen with the Red Line work, minority participation in these two roadway projects is enjoying strong support from government leaders, Trotta said. "Under the leadership of Gov. Quinn, IDOT Secretary Ann Sch- neider and Illinois Tollway Executive Director Kristi Lafleur, the State of Illinois is a strong proponent of meaningful minority participation on infrastructure projects," Trotta said. "They've hosted mentor/protégé workshops and networking events resulting in many opportunities for minority-owned businesses." Save the Date! ChiCAgo 47th AnnuAl Business opportunity FAir April 10-11, 2014 Navy Pier Join Us for Networking, Knowledge & Business Opportunities to help maintain your continued success. Scheduled events: Workshops CBOF Dinner Dance Honoring the "Corporation of the Year" CBOF Sponsors Breakfast CBOF Trade Fair with over 300 corporate, government, GLobal Partners and minority business exhibitors. MBEIC Awards Reception (Minority Business Enterprise Input Committee) Register Today Visit the ChicagoMSDC web site for additional information www.chicagomsdc.org or Call Cynthia Jordan (312) 755-2555 Chicago Minority Supplier Development Council, inc. 105 W. Adams Suite 2300 Chicago, IL 60603 Sign up Early to take advantage of our Early Bird Specials & Bonuses

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