|
State Street over I-94 Bishop Ford Expressway – IDOT District 1
State Street at I-94 is a four-lane, nine-span structure measuring over 178 m (584 feet) back-to-back of abutments. Spanning Interstate
94, Interstate 57, a Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) elevated train yard, and interstate on- and off-ramps, the structure is located
in a highly congested area at the southern “Gateway to Chicago.” Both the bridge and approach roadways are located on
horizontal and vertical alignments. An exclusive entrance to a CTA Maintenance Facility for both vehicular and pedestrian traffic
is attached to the structure.
After extensive traffic analyses and discussions with IDOT, CDOT, CTA, and FHWA, it was determined the structure should be narrowed
to two lanes to enhance safety and to improve traffic movements through nearby intersections. In order to facilitate construction
and develop an aesthetically pleasing “Gateway to Chicago”, the proposed alignment was shifted while keeping the structure
within the existing bridge footprint. Both the horizontal and vertical curves were modified to create smoother transitions, to
maintain appropriate cross slopes for drainage purposes, and to create additional designated parking for CTA employees.
The existing simple-span PPC box beams was replaced with a nine-span continuous steel composite superstructure, eliminating unnecessary
high maintenance deck joints at the piers. Piers and abutments were removed and replaced from the ground up and were narrowed
to match the superstructure. Approach roadway improvements include resurfacing, new curb and gutter, approach pavements, and sidewalks,
as well as new traffic signals and street lighting. Construction took place under a one-way detour enabling full-time pedestrian
and vehicular access over the structure and limited vehicular access shut down to the CTA Maintenance Facility.
Overall view of State Street Bridge
back to top
|
