Oak Spring Road Bridge Replacement

Gewalt Hamilton Associates, Inc. (GHA) provided Phase III Resident Engineering services for the Oak Spring Road Bridge Replacement, located in Libertyville, IL. The project replaced the existing bridge over the Des Plaines River and reconstructed roadway approaches for a safe transition to the bridge. Spanning 0.12 miles between the Des Plaines River Trail and North Hawthorne Lane, the project was funded by the Surface Transportation Program – Bridge (STP-BR), Township Bridge Program (TBP), and local sources.

The improvements involved the demolition of the existing structure, driving metal shell piling for new concrete piers and abutments, driving soldier piles for retaining walls, construction of new bridge concrete piers and abutments, installation of precast prestressed concrete beams, installation of reinforced concrete deck, concrete retaining walls, construction of reinforced concrete approach slabs, placement of reinforced concrete parapet walls, and placement of galvanized structural steel parapet railings. Additional work included storm sewer replacement, hot-mix asphalt paving approaching the bridge, resurfacing the canoe launch parking lot with hot mix asphalt pavement, traffic barrier terminal and cable road guards, combination curb and gutter, and new pavement markings, and final stabilization. Additional coordination was necessary due to an MCI buried cable, in conflict with the bridge.

As part of the project, GHA coordinated a full road closure and detour, which was maintained for the duration of construction. Extensive traffic control, signage, and public communication were essential to managing local impacts.

GHA’s responsibilities included resident engineering, material documentation using CMMS, survey geometric control, cross sections, & layout verification and coordination with the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) in accordance with federal aid requirements.