Illinois Department of Transportation

US 6 (159th St.) from US 45 to Will-Cook Road

Administering a Challenging Reconstruction

A reconstruction with extensive challenges, Civiltech provided Construction Engineering services along this 3-mile stretch of 159th Street (US 6). The project was part of an overall 7-mile corridor reconstruction that widened 159th street, traversing several southern suburbs heading east to the interchange at I-355.

Improving Heavy Congestion

Civiltech’s project on the east half was more heavily traveled and had poor soil conditions which required nearly a mile of dry-land bridges to remedy. The improvement relieved the heavy congestion along the former 2 lane arterial. The street now has 4 new lanes of full-depth PCC pavement with single and double turn lanes throughout. The miles of mainline PCC paving lanes included 159th St. and the major cross arterials of 104th Ave., 108th Ave., and Wolf Rd.


Constructing for Poor Soil Conditions

Massive earthwork was required with appropriate erosion control and stable base determinations. The poor soils comprised of unstable peat, required the use of sheet pile walls, decorative retaining walls, 7 dry-land bridges, and extensive undercutting.


Storm Water Management and Other Services

Storm water management included new detention ponds, as wells as substantial storm sewer, drainage structures, and box culvert installations, and one project challenge included maintaining flow in the Waters of the US. The landscaped median, aesthetic form liner retaining walls, and new lighting create a modern arterial with increased safety. Also, new traffic signals with interconnection were installed at 4 intersections.


Extensive Agency Coordination

Considerable agency coordination was provided. Coordination with Metra was required due to a widened Railroad crossing in the project. Interagency coordination also included Orland Park Forest Preserve, the Army Corps, the MWRD, multiple other agencies, and neighbors.


Coordination between Projects and Stakeholders

A primary challenge was staging the corridor’s heavy traffic. Civiltech’s project to the east had to be coordinated with a concurrent project to the west requiring multiple stages to maintain vehicular flow through the construction to the greatest extent possible. Civiltech’s Resident Engineer coordinated with stakeholders keeping them up to date on project status and work items affecting their facilities. Also municipalities and their emergency forces kept up to date on project activity.

This Project Incorporates the Following:

  • Complex maintenance of traffic
  • Dry-land bridge construction
  • Extensive erosion control
  • Sheet pile walls
  • Aesthetically pleasing retaining walls
  • Roadway widening
  • New detention ponds
  • New or reconstructed storm water facilities
  • Landscaped median
  • New lighting
  • New traffic signals with interconnection
  • Rail road coordination

Scope of Services

  • Resident Engineering
  • Construction Inspection
  • Construction Management
  • Construction Layout
  • Bridge Construction Inspection
  • Construction Documentation
  • Coordination and Public Involvement
  • NEPA/404 Merger Process
  • Interagency Coordination
  • QC/QA Material Testing

Learn more about this project and its related services.

Contact Jim Ewers