ACEC Illinois Recognizes Illinois Tollway Projects for Engineering Excellence
The Mile Long Bridge Project on the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) has been voted the best transportation infrastructure project in Illinois through online voting for the Engineering Works Award by the state engineering community and general public.
It’s is one of several honors Illinois Tollway projects and its engineering teams received at the American Council of Engineering Companies of Illinois’s annual Engineering Excellence Awards Gala in Rosemont.
“The Mile Long Bridge Project and our new, LEED-certified maintenance facilities in Aurora and Bensenville – and the engineering teams behind them – were deservingly recognized for outstanding engineering achievement,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. “These Tollway projects demonstrate the effective application of engineering techniques, technologies and innovation that make a positive impact for Tollway customers and the communities we serve.”
Each year, ACEC Illinois honors projects of engineering achievement by Illinois consulting engineering firms. Projects are judged based on engineering excellence, the degree to which the client’s needs are met and the benefits to the public welfare and private practice of engineering. This year, ACEC Illinois presented a total of 38 awards – 18 Merit Awards, 11 Honor Awards and nine Special Achievement Awards.
The Engineering Works Award allows the state engineering community and general public to vote online for the most innovative and groundbreaking project. Voters were asked to consider the aesthetics, design, construction excellence and the social and economic impact of the 11 projects nominated. This year’s competition attracted more than 2,000 votes.
In addition to earning the Engineering Excellence Award, the Mile Long Bridge Project also received an Honor Award, which recognizes projects for exceptional engineering that meet the needs of the client and benefit the public welfare. The $500 million project serves as a crucial transportation route on the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294). It includes two side-by-side bridges that span two railroads, three waterways, local roads and major UPS and Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway distribution centers, as well as sustainable considerations, active traffic management and flex lanes to serve various safety needs.
The engineering team worked closely together and in collaboration with the Illinois Tollway throughout design and construction to deliver an exceptional project on time and within budget. As designer and engineer of record, H.W. Lochner, HDR Engineering and Quigg Engineering (LHQ) developed the concept and contract plans, specifications and estimates for the recommended design. The implementation and follow-through on the delivery of the Mile Long Bridge Project was entrusted to Bowman Consulting Group, which served as the construction manager.
The new Illinois Tollway maintenance facilities in Aurora and Bensenville together also received a Merit Award, which is given for projects worthy of recognition of the engineer and the owner/client for achieving engineering excellence.
The team of Gonzalez Companies (f/k/a ESI Consultants), Ardmore Roderick and A. Epstein & Sons International provided construction management and engineering for two new maintenance facilities.
The team successfully managed all aspects of the building and site construction for the Aurora facility, which is a 100,000-square-foot maintenance building with a salt barn and truck wash, and the Bensenville facility, which is a 98,000-square-foot maintenance building and salt storage dome. Both facilities house a vehicle maintenance workshop, storage garage, support offices and maintenance supply storage. Both facilities achieved LEED Silver Certification for design, construction and operational sustainability.