Ciorba Group was recently selected by the Illinois Tollway for the reconstruction of the Edens Spur corridor, a portion of the Tollway which connects the Tristate (I-294) to the Edens Expressway (I-94). The project requires the completion of a preliminary engineering study to coordinate and finalize a preferred alternate with the Tollway. The Project Team led by Ciorba will then proceed to preparation of contract plans, specifications, and cost estimates for the reconstruction of the existing mainline and ramp pavement and the reconstruction/rehabilitation of the mainline and crossroad bridges. It is anticipated that construction will include two separate contracts.

The Edens Spur, constructed in 1958, consists of two through lanes in each direction with four-foot wide inside shoulders and 11-foot wide outside shoulders. The project includes one partial diamond interchange at Waukegan Road (IL 43), Toll Plaza 24 just east of the Tri-State Tollway, mainline bridges over Metra-Soo and C&NW Railroads, the West and Middle Fork of the North Branch of the Chicago River, Skokie Boulevard and the Edens Expressway. The corridor passes through the Village of Northbrook and Deerfield in Cook County.  Adjacent land use includes recreational forest preserve and park district land, commercial offices and businesses, high density housing, single family housing, and vacant land.

The anticipated project scope includes pavement rehabilitation at the western end of the project and pavement reconstruction from east of the Deerfield Road bridge to the I-94 ramps. Our engineering services will include bridge inspections and condition reports, geometrics corrections and improvements, lighting and ITS upgrades, evaluation of roadway embankment and slope stabilization, soil erosion and sediment control, environmental analysis and public involvement. The condition of two crossover and eleven mainline bridges will be evaluated and the need for rehabilitation or reconstruction will be analyzed. The design, which should provide the Illinois Tollway with the most benefit at the lowest cost, i.e. “doing more with less” will apply innovative features including Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) and fully integrated 3D CADD plans to deliver a long-term improvement. Designing the project should avoid the need for additional right of way, but it may require utility adjustments. Critical items will be obtaining the necessary environmental clearances, maintenance of traffic and coordination with utilities and railroads.

The project required barrier warrant analysis and guardrail installation, noise wall installation, embankment stabilization, Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) equipment installation, replacement of existing signing and various drainage improvements were included in the scope. The project was successfully completed on a fast track schedule and extended the life of the infrastructure as the Illinois Tollway desired at that time. We are very excited at this opportunity of working again with the Tollway after our previous engagement with this project and our most recent involvement with the Jane Addams (I-90) add lane, bridge replacement and drainage improvement projects and the I-355 at I-88 structural assessment of four post-tensioned concrete segmental box bridges. At Ciorba Group we are very proud of our long standing professional collaboration with the Illinois Tollway!