DNR Weldon Springs- Trail and Bridge Improvements

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is requesting bids for trail and bridge improvements at Weldon Springs State Park in DeWitt County, with bids due June 30, 2026. The contractor must be prequalified with the Illinois Department of Transportation and possess at least three years of commercial civil construction experience with documentation of completing at least three similar projects.

The scope includes removal of an existing timber bridge (68 feet) and washboard structure, installation of a new timber bridge (approximately 60 feet), timber stairs with shallow concrete caisson foundations, structural steel erection, erosion control, and traffic control for hiking paths and parking lots. Work occurs along hiking trails between the dam and Long Point Group Campsite. Construction commences July 7, 2026, with a 90-calendar-day completion deadline (October 5, 2026); close-out documents are due December 19, 2026. The contract term extends through May 14, 2027. Liquidated damages are assessed at $300 per calendar day for missed close-out deadlines.

The project is funded with state funds and federal Recreational Trails Program dollars. The contractor must comply with Illinois prevailing wage requirements, employ at least 90 percent Illinois laborers during periods of excessive unemployment, and submit certified payroll to the Illinois Department of Labor monthly. For contracts valued at $500,000 or more, contractors must comply with the Illinois Works Apprenticeship Initiative, requiring apprentices to perform either 10 percent of total labor hours or 10 percent of estimated labor hours in each prevailing wage classification, whichever is less. All work must be completed by the prime contractor (minimum 51 percent); subcontracts exceeding $100,000 require prior written IDNR approval. Insurance requirements include $1,000,000 General Commercial Liability per occurrence with $2,000,000 annual aggregate, $1,000,000 Auto Liability per occurrence, and Workers' Compensation as required by law. A construction bond compliant with the Public Construction Bond Act is required with surety ratings of at least A− by recognized agencies. Work occurs Monday through Friday, 6:00 AM to 4:30 PM, coordinated with the site superintendent. Bid prices must remain firm for 90 days following opening. Bids must be submitted electronically through BidBuy and include unit pricing for tree removal, erosion control, structural work, site preparation, and mobilization line items. A mandatory pre-submission conference attendance requirement applies if marked on the BidBuy posting; failure to attend, arrive on time, or sign the attendance sheet results in disqualification.