I-55 (Stevenson
Expressway) Franklin Connector Interchange Reconstruction
Client: IDOT, District One
Location: Cook County, Illinois
Construction Completed: 2002
Construction Cost: $19 Million
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Challenge
Bowman, Barrett & Associates Inc. (BB&A) was hired to prepare
plans for the rehabilitation of five bridges (all greater than
40 years old), mainline and ramp pavements on the I-55 (Stevenson
Expressway) Franklin Street Connector Interchange. After a thorough
inspection program and structural assessment, BB&A bridge engineers
determined that more intensive rehabilitation was needed to correct
the structural and functional deficiencies of the bridges. The
advanced deterioration was a direct result of the numerous expansion
joints that allowed salt laden liquids to infiltrate the various
components of the bridges.
BB&A demonstrated that when construction staging and traffic
maintenance costs were included, it was only marginally more expensive
for a complete superstructure replacement versus deck replacement
and a rehabilitation that incorporated existing structural elements.
In addition, complete superstructure replacement would provide
for relatively maintenance-free structures for years into the future – benefits
derived from the structural continuity and elimination of the numerous
expansion joints.
Details
Engineering services included bridge inspection, bridge condition
report updates, surveying and preparation of type, size and location
plans, contract plans and special provisions.
The project included the partial replacement of two mainline
and three ramp bridges. The ramp bridges utilized continuous
curved steel girders to eliminate as many expansion joints as
possible. Substructure elements were reconstructed to a radial
alignment when possible. Additional structural elements included
Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) retaining walls, an overhead
sign structure truss and the abandoning and filling of a pedestrian
tunnel.
Approximately 1.6 miles of multi-lane pavements and ramps were
reconstructed and/or resurfaced. The construction utilized multiple
phases with staging at each phase as well as incentives for meeting
interim completion dates.
The rehabilitation also included improvements to the intersection
of the Franklin Connector and Cermak Road, drainage improvements,
lighting, signing and other ancillary work required to complete
the rehabilitation of the expressway.
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