Phased Construction Keeps Traffic Flowing in Chicago

摘要

Time and harsh winters took their toll on four interstate ramps in Chicago connecting I-55 and Lake Shore Drive. Built in the mid-1960s, these ramps were replaced through phased construction over a two-year span. Michels, an infrastructure contractor, worked simultaneously with two general contractors to build drilled shafts and earth retention systems for the reconstruction. "Rebuilding arterial ramps is never easy, but this project was particularly challenging," says Josh Senk, general manager with Michels. "Because of high traffic volumes, the ramps had to remain open to traffic, and space was too tight to build new ramps while the old ones were still being used." The phased construction allowed the team to combine new and old structures to maintain traffic flow throughout the construction process.