ENR Midwest Presents Best Project Award for Tri-State Tollway I-294 Over 87th Street-Roberts Road
2024-11-22
ENR Midwest presented a Best Project Award to the Illinois Tollway for the Tri-State Tollway (I-294) over 87th Street and Roberts Road Bridge Project, a testament to the innovation, collaboration and dedication of the entire project team.
This $45 million project, completed in December 2023, tackled one of the most complex crossings on the Illinois Tollway system. Spanning the intersection of 87th Street and Roberts Road, the two new bridges replaced aging structures while reconfiguring a high-traffic interchange in Hickory Hills, Justice and Bridgeview. The result is a safe, efficient roadway that benefits residents, businesses and commuters alike.
“We are honored to accept the ENR Midwest Best Project Award,” said the Illinois Tollway Deputy Chief of Program Implementation Jeff Allen, who accepted the award at a ceremony in Chicago. “This recognition highlights the commitment and ingenuity of our project team, as well as our dedication to delivering infrastructure that improves lives and communities.”
ENR Regional Best Projects Awards honor the best construction projects and the companies that design and build them in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Projects compete in 18 specialized categories, ranging from airports to sports/entertainment. Independent juries of industry leaders in design and construction judge the projects using five criteria: overcoming challenges and teamwork, safety, innovation and contribution to the industry/community and design and construction quality.
This Best Projects Award for the I-294 over 87th/Roberts Road Bridge Project reflects the collaboration of a stellar project team that included HDR Engineering, TranSystems, AECOM, F.H. Paschen, Burns and McDonnell, RM Chin, RGE Engineering and SE3.
The project overcame significant challenges such as outdated bridge designs, traffic flow limitations and supply chain disruptions. Innovative solutions like using lighter, transparent acrylic noisewalls instead of traditional precast concrete exemplify the team's ability to adapt and excel.
In addition to enhancing mobility, the project created opportunities for public space development and incorporated custom aesthetics, wider sidewalks and improved drainage, lighting and noise barriers – all designed with the community in mind.
Safety was at the forefront, with more than 270,000 worker hours logged without a single lost-time incident. The project also set new standards in bridge construction with designs that improve long-term maintenance and extend the service life to 75 years.
As part of the larger Central Tri-State Tollway Project, these bridges are a shining example of how infrastructure can connect, innovate and inspire.
Congratulations to everyone who made this achievement possible!