Edens Spur Tollway Reconstruction

The project involves widening the inner shoulder of both the east and west bound directions of the I-94 Edens Spur from MP 26.9, East of Pfingsten Road, to MP 29.0, West of Union Pacific Railroad. Recycled crushed concrete and asphalt grindings from the previous project serves as the new embankment and underlayer of the new roadway. Warm mix asphalt is used as the surface pavement. A new storm drainage system has been installed with roughly 4 times the amount of drainage structures. Three bridges have a new structure and surface. New electrical work was done including ITS, traffic signals, and roadway lighting.

2IM inspected a variety of tasks throughout the construction process in addition to periodic erosion control inspections.

Due to the important access that the Edens Spur serves, both east and westbound traffic was redirected and reduced to one lane within the two original lanes of both directions in each construction phase. Special attention had to be given to the west and middle fork branches of the Chicago river in order to be adequately protected during the demolishing and construction process. The Metra railroad ran underneath a third bridge where additional protection was needed during new bridge construction so the ground that the tracks lie on are not undergoing past the maximum stress.