FGMA is honored to celebrate the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) Materials Testing and Research Center in Springfield, Illinois, which has earned a 2026 National Design-Build Project/Team Award of Merit from the Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA).
Recognized in the Federal/County/State/Municipal category, the award celebrates the collaboration, innovation and teamwork behind projects that demonstrate excellence in design-build delivery. FGMA shares this recognition with the Illinois Capital Development Board (CDB), IDOT and design-build partner The Korte Company.
Designing a Modern Transportation Research Facility
For decades, IDOT’s materials testing and research teams operated across multiple aging facilities, some dating back to 1934. The new 81,000-square-foot center brings five IDOT groups together on the Hanley Campus, creating a modern, collaborative environment that supports the important work of evaluating materials used in Illinois’ transportation infrastructure.
The facility includes nearly 43,000 square feet of laboratory space, accommodating more than 600 pieces of specialized testing equipment across 10 laboratory divisions. Thoughtfully planned layouts, improved material-handling capabilities and access to natural light support safer, more efficient operations while allowing flexibility for future research needs.
How Design-Build Collaboration Supported Project Success
Collaboration was central to the project’s success. Through early coordination and ongoing communication, the design-build team worked closely with IDOT to refine laboratory workflows, address complex equipment requirements and identify solutions that balanced performance with budget and schedule goals. This proactive approach helped the team navigate construction challenges while maintaining a shared focus on quality and safety.
The award reflects the dedication of everyone involved in bringing this complex facility to life. We congratulate our project partners and thank IDOT and CDB for the opportunity to help create a space that advances transportation research and supports safer, more durable roads for communities throughout Illinois.
