Chicago Shoreline Damage Reduction, Reach 4

Development Team
GENERAL CONTRACTOR: Rausch Construction Co. Inc., Broadview, Ill.
UNDERWATER DIVING SERVICE: Lindhal Marine, Romeoville, Ill.
MICRO PILE PINS: TCDI, Lincolnshire, Ill.
STONE CRUSHING: Vulcan Materials, Elk Grove Village, Ill.

The Chicago Shoreline Damage Reduction project is aimed at rebuilding the protective walls that shield much of the city's shoreline from erosion.

Broadview, Ill.-based Rausch Construction Co. Inc., the general contractor for Reach 4, 33rd to 37th streets, began the project with demolition of the existing shoreline cap stones followed by reconstruction of 2,050 lin. ft. of sheet-pile sea wall. More than 32,600 lin. ft. of battered H-pile bracing system was installed to withstand wave pressure and prevent damage.

The project used more than 4.3 million lbs. of steel piling. More than 75,000 tons of fill stone was placed behind the sheet piling.

Construction of the concrete wall, sometimes referred to as a revetment, followed. It comprised more than 12,000 cu. yds. of concrete and 600 tons of reinforcing steel. About 35,000 tons of underwater rubble was placed, using material barged from Manitowoc, Wis.

Working Near Shore

The large quantity of material to be transported to the site posed a logistical problem. Nearly 7,000 semi-truck loads of material and 35 barges of stone were needed. If these trucks lined up bumper to bumper, they would span 92 mi., the distance from Chicago to Milwaukee.

In addition, the area surrounding the shoreline is heavily used for recreation. No major highways go into the park, but merely narrow roads and parking lots not suitable for trucks.

The solution was the careful scheduling and coordination of deliveries so that truck and barge downtime was minimized. Roads and parking were reconstructed for the safe and quick passage of trucks.

Another challenge was that the project took place during two harsh winters, resulting in dangerously cold weather, a snow- and ice-covered site and frozen equipment.

Defrosting equipment with propane heaters and using tents maintained the schedule. Storage away from the lake aided in freeze and ice prevention.

Another challenge was that strong waves posed a constant threat. In fact, 150 ft. of sheet-pile wall was destroyed in November 2000. Waves also washed out newly poured concrete.

Concrete pouring was planned around the weather and to eliminate wash out. Sheet pile wall was braced immediately to withstand the wave pressure.

Unlike other segments, Reach 4 was on several curves. Creation of a perfect curve is impossible due to the limitation of straight sheet piling.

This limitation was overcome by constructing a series of chords to the arc that was then fastened together to create a curve. The use of many small sections of straight sheet piling enabled a wall that fit closely to the curves.

The jury said, "A very tough project, very deserving of an award."

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