Gold Medal of Construction
Olympic Effort Needed To Erect Mega-Projects

by Craig Barner

If Chicago lands the Olympics in 2016, the city will see a level of construction worthy of a Greco-Roman wrestler.

With this issue, Midwest Construction presents its own effort of grappling with a enormous task: the Top Projects of 2007.

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The selection is based on the top completions and starts by cost in Illinois, Indiana, eastern Missouri and Wisconsin. The top-20 completions are presented first followed by the top-20 starts.

Coverage includes an image and brief description of each Top Projects started or completed between summer 2006 and summer 2007.

They include major high-rise residential buildings, health-care structures and entertainment facilities.

The major affect of infrastructure projects on local economies is evident.
St. Louis' Interstate 64 project through downtown is among the biggest in the region. Only a year earlier, Chicago's O'Hare International Airport started a massive project that will cost billions of dollars.

On the completion front, the $508 million upgrade of three Metra commuter lines in the Chicago area is sure to keep commuters moving. Moreover, the $499 million Interstate 74 project in Central Illinois is sure to pump some life into the local economy.

Top Projects are ranked by start or completion date and the cost to build them. Cost figures are based on the best available information.

Size is only part of a successful construction project. As the following pages make clear, these projects show skill, dedication and hard work. The design, engineering and construction feats accomplished are deserving of recogniztion.

There might have been other projects that could have made Top Projects, but because of a lack of verifiable information, we could not include them.

We at Midwest Construction congratulate the teams that worked together to erect these and other major Midwest projects. And, we applaud the industry on an impressive body of work in 2007.

If you know of any projects that might qualify for Top Projects in 2008, I encourage you to call me at 312-233-7471. Have a great constructing year.

- C.B.
Editor
Midwest Construction

Click here for 20 Top Projects Completed>>

Click here for 20 Top Projects Started>>