I-90/94 (Dan Ryan Expressway) Reconstruction
North of 15th Street to 47th Street
Client: Illinois Department of
Transportation
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Construction Completed: 2007
Construction Cost: $238.6 Million
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Challenge
The Dan Ryan Expressway was opened to the public in December, 1962. This expressway is one of the world’s widest freeway systems with 14 to 16 lanes of traffic, and carries more than 330,000 vehicles per day. The Dan Ryan Expressway serves as a vital transportation link servicing downtown Chicago and connecting to a number of Interstate freeway systems I-57, I-90, I-55 and I-290. With the heavy traffic demand and closely spaced interchange ramps, the existing facility produced a congested environment and at times resulted in vehicle conflicts and crashes.
The Illinois Department of Transportation retained Bowman, Barrett & Associates, Inc. (BB&A) to prepare design plans and specifications to facilitate the rehabilitation of the existing freeway, and reconfiguration and relocation of the service interchange ramps.
Key objectives of this construction project were to rebuild an existing freeway in need of repair, improve traffic flow in this congested system, help improve overall safety, and develop a more aesthetic freeway corridor.
Details
BB&A produced design plans for the reconstruction of a 2.0 miles I-90/94 structure from north of 15th Street to 28th Street, and design plans for the reconstruction of more than 2 miles of freeway from 31st Street to 47th Street. Design elements include:
- Work on the 2.0 mile structure comprised structural steel retrofits, parapet wall repairs, and deck joints. Work on the 2 mile structure was comprised of 9 structures including structures over the Chicago River and I-55.
- Work on ramps included reconstruction and modification of 14 ramps. Modification to the existing interchanges resulted in the reconfiguration of interchanges at 35th Street, 39th Street, and 43rd Street.
- Design and rehabilitation 8 existing retaining walls and design of 5 new walls.
- Design and rebuilding of all the express and local lanes.
- Complex maintenance of traffic plans were produced to avoid conflicts to major businesses and organizations.
- Rehabilitation work also included a new lighting system, new drainage collector system and new freeway guide sign.
- Implementation and design of one new Accident Investigation Sites.
Benefits
Benefits that are attributed to the Dan Ryan Expressway reconstruction include:
- Safety: Relocation and reconfiguration of interchanges at the 43rd Street, 39th Street and 35th Street removed four unsafe weaving sections (entrance ramp followed by an exit ramp). This in conjunction with providing auxiliary lanes at various locations enhances a safer freeway.
- Improved Traffic Flow: The use of auxiliary lanes and the relocation of certain ramps afford and assists the Dan Ryan Expressway in accommodating the heavy traffic demand.
- Aesthetics: Work on the Dan Ryan Expressway included corner gardens, landscape plans between the freeway and local roads, surface art on retaining walls and other features to make the Dan Ryan corridor an aesthetic corridor for the driving public.
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