Structural Projects

Kudrna & Associates, Ltd. was responsible for the final design of Bensenville Ditch as it traverses the southwest corner of Chicago O’Hare International Airport. The existing ditch conveyed a significant volume of stormwater originating in the Village of Bensenville as well as the non-snow throw area of the South Airfield from the western boundary of the airport to an outlet underneath Irving Park Road near Taft Road and needed to be relocated to allow for construction of a new 13,000 foot runway as part of the South Airfield expansion.

Contract plans and specifications for the relocation of Bensenville Ditch were developed for three different alignments. The initial northern alignment, considered to be an interim condition, was approximately 9,630 feet in length. The second northern alignment, also considered to be an interim condition, was approximately 6,270 feet in length. The southern alignment, the final condition, was approximately 8,800 feet in length.

The initial northern alignment was designed to be a multi-cell reinforced concrete box culvert for the full length of the relocation. Major items of work included design of the box culvert, design of three junction chambers, design of entrance and exit headwalls, development of erosion control plans, evaluation of site logistics, and preparation of a construction staging plan. The work would have been constructed concurrently with numerous other South Airfield projects (e.g., construction of runways and taxiways, relocation of existing air cargo facilities, installation of stormwater conveyance and detention facilities, and relocation of existing Union Pacific Railroad mainline tracks).

The second north alignment was designed as an open ditch configuration for the full length of the relocation with the exception of a short tunnel section pushed under the existing Union Pacific Railroad mainline tracks. Major items of work included preparation of grading plans, development of erosion control plans, and design of a reinforced concrete pipe segment with entrance and exit headwalls for the tunnel section. The work was ultimately included in a much larger site grading package for the South Airfield – requiring close coordination with documents prepared by another design team.

The southern alignment was designed as a combination of multi-cell reinforced concrete box culvert and open channel sections. Major items of work included design of the several box culvert segments, design of two box culverts to be constructed under existing Irving Park Road, design of a reinforced concrete pipe segment tunnel section to be pushed under the existing Union Pacific Railroad mainline tracks, design of entrance and exit headwalls, development of erosion control plans, and preparation of a construction staging plan. The majority of this alignment will be constructed in areas used for both residential and industrial activities; as such, design of numerous utility relocations were required as well.

Kudrna & Associates, Ltd., provided Phase II engineering services as required for the preparation of one set of contract plans and the associated material for four structures on US 20. The first set of structures is on US 20 over Prairie Road, 1.0 mile west of Illinois Route 2, S.N. 101-0051 (WB) & 101-0052 (EB). The second set of structures is on US 20 over Simpson Road, 0.8 miles west of Illinois Route 2, S.N. 101-0053 (EB) & 101-0054 (WB). All four structures have been rehabilitated and widened to accommodate a 39”–0” wide clear deck. Additionally, Kudrna prepared plans for permanent crossovers for traffic stations.

Rehabilitation and widening of the structures will include deck removal and replacement; expansion joint replacement; abutment widening and backwall replacement; wingwall replacement; an additional beam line incorporating elastomeric and rocker bearings; bearing replacements at the abutments with steel extensions; slopewall repairs and/or replacement; and pier widening. Existing low beam clearance issues at the EB Simpson Structure will result in a shorter required beam depth. Revisions to the Simpson Road profile have also been recommended.

Working with Scheflow Engineers, Kudrna updated the single span precast concrete deck beam structure plans for an HS22 loading. Custom precast concrete panel railings were designed for vehicular loading. Architectural elements of obelisks and emblems were incorporated into the approach design. Final architectural finished included stamped and colored abutment faces.

Kudrna & Associates provided engineering services for the preparation of plans, special provisions and estimate for deck/substructure replacement and widening with substructure rehabilitation on S.N. 050-0017 over the Illinois & Michigan Canal National Heritage Corridor and CSX Railroad, 0.2 mile south of US Route 6 in LaSalle, Illinois. A period-dated balustrade concrete bridge rail was installed to provide integrity with the I & M Canal and the Historic Illinois River Lock No. 14 structure that is located near the bridge. Period lighting was installed on top of the bridge rail. Work included field surveys, TS&L drawings and PS&E for approach roadway and structure. Project report, hydraulic report, foundation borings and available existing plans were provided by IDOT.

Prepared design and construction documents, and provided construction field services, resident engineering and QA/QC review for structure replacement. This work was performed for the Illinois Department of Transportation, Bureau of Bridges and Structures. The existing 2-span structure was removed and replaced to provide for an out to out width of 22.2 meters, which includes two 3.6 meter eastbound lanes, and one 3.6 meter westbound lane separated by a 4.0 meter painted median. A 0.7-meter bicycle lane and 2.5-meter sidewalk were constructed on each side of the bridge. The roadway approaches were resurfaced. The entire project was staged to reduce congestion and maintain traffic. Project elements included development of a Bridge Type Study; preparation of Type, Size and Location drawings and structural analysis; detailed design and preparation of final drawings.

Kudrna & Associates, Ltd., provided engineering services on a Task Order basis to prepare force account maintenance plans for repairs to the City’s inventory of bridges. Defects requiring attention are identified in the City’s biannual bridge inspection program. This project consisted of preparing Force Account Maintenance repair plans to remedy these defects. Plans were prepared for use by the City’s in-house construction or job order construction contract crews to make the necessary repairs.

Kudrna & Associates conducted an evaluation/engineering study, and surveying services for the FY 2003 Bridge Rehabilitation Program. Phase I included the inspection of the bridge structures at (1) Roger Williams Lane over Ravine; (2) Cedar Avenue over Ravine; (3) Waverly Road over Ravine (North Bridge); (4) St. John's Avenue over Ravine; (5) Park Avenue over the Skokie River inlet; (6) Central Avenue over Ravine (including adjacent steel crib retaining wall); and (7) Dean Avenue over Ravine. Phase II involved structural design and plan preparation for the rehabilitation of the structures located at Cedar Avenue, Central Avenue, and Dean Avenue.

Route 41 Bridge over North Shore Channel Illinois Department of Transportation District 1 - Contract plans, specifications, and estimates for rehabilitation of U.S. 41 over the North Shore Channel (3-span, 215-ft structure on a severe skew). Work performed for the Illinois Department of Transportation, Bureau of Bridges and Structures. Project elements included development of a Bridge Type Study; preparation of Type, Size and Location drawings; structural analysis of revised existing elements and proposed portions. Stage construction was used. Extensive and detailed analysis and design of the abutments were required to reuse the existing footing as the severe skew presented some significant design challenges.