Drawing on his experience as a transportation planner for Cook County, Harry W. Lochner established H.W. Lochner, Inc. (Lochner) to provide planning and design services for the National System of Interstate Highways and other roadways funded by the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1944. While maintaining its Chicago headquarters over the past 75 years, Lochner has grown to provide planning, environmental, design, construction engineering and inspection, and right of way services for surface transportation, rail, transit, and aviation clients across the U.S.
We are client-focused, dedicated to developing and maintaining collaborative client partnerships. We are performance-driven, transforming transportation challenges into opportunities for innovation, added value, and impact mitigation. We are driven to exceed client expectations, deliver high-quality work, employ emerging technologies, and maintain a team-oriented, inclusive work environment.
The following portfolio of projects highlights Lochner’s recent work for the Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois State Toll Highway Authority, Chicago Department of Transportation, Chicago Transit Authority, Metra, Skyway Concession Company, and City of Blue Island.
Mile Long Bridge Reconstruction, Phase I and II Engineering
Owner: Illinois State Toll Highway Authority
Originally constructed in 1958, the Mile Long Bridge is a 4,800-foot section of the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) corridor. The bridge carries approximately 150,000 vehicles daily over two major railroads, three waterways, local roads, a major distribution center for UPS, and an intermodal facility for Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway. In 2015, the Tollway initiated reconstruction and widening improvements to the bridge as part of the their 15-year, $14 billion Move Illinois program. Lochner is the lead partner of the Joint Venture selected to perform master planning and final design for these improvements, including the use of the longest bridge girders in Illinois history.
Mile Long Bridge Reconstruction, Phase I and II Engineering
Owner: Illinois State Toll Highway Authority
Originally constructed in 1958, the Mile Long Bridge is a 4,800-foot section of the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) corridor. The bridge carries approximately 150,000 vehicles daily over two major railroads, three waterways, local roads, a major distribution center for UPS, and an intermodal facility for Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway. In 2015, the Tollway initiated reconstruction and widening improvements to the bridge as part of the their 15-year, $14 billion Move Illinois program. Lochner is the lead partner of the Joint Venture selected to perform master planning and final design for these improvements, including the use of the longest bridge girders in Illinois history.
North-South Wacker Viaduct Reconstruction and Congress Parkway Interchange Improvement Program Management
Owner: Chicago Department of Transportation
Wacker Drive was first proposed in 1909 and the first section was inaugurated in 1926. Between 1948 and 1954, the north-south extension was constructed. The two-level urban facility was designed to improve traffic flow through the heart of Chicago’s central business district. Lochner was the program manager for the recent $300 million reconstruction of the North-South Wacker Drive Viaduct from Randolph Street to Congress Parkway. The firm oversaw construction activities and provided a comprehensive outreach program that involved the City of Chicago, Illinois Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Chicago Chamber of Commerce, and adjacent buildings in this dense urban setting.
North-South Wacker Viaduct Reconstruction and Congress Parkway Interchange Improvement Program Management
Owner: Chicago Department of Transportation
Wacker Drive was first proposed in 1909 and the first section was inaugurated in 1926. Between 1948 and 1954, the north-south extension was constructed. The two-level urban facility was designed to improve traffic flow through the heart of Chicago’s central business district. Lochner was the program manager for the recent $300 million reconstruction of the North-South Wacker Drive Viaduct from Randolph Street to Congress Parkway. The firm oversaw construction activities and provided a comprehensive outreach program that involved the City of Chicago, Illinois Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Chicago Chamber of Commerce, and adjacent buildings in this dense urban setting.
Morgan Street Elevated Station, Phase III Engineering
Owner: Chicago Transit Authority
Morgan Street Elevated Station sits in the center of the historic Fulton Market District, an area of Chicago that has seen a multi-faceted transformation. Originally opened in 1893, service continued at this location until Spring 1948 when due to low ridership the station was closed and later demolished. Significant growth in the area spurred the construction of a new station at Morgan Street. Lochner provided construction management for the $38 million elevated station, the first new station to open in 15 years.
Morgan Street Elevated Station, Phase III Engineering
Owner: Chicago Transit Authority
Morgan Street Elevated Station sits in the center of the historic Fulton Market District, an area of Chicago that has seen a multi-faceted transformation. Originally opened in 1893, service continued at this location until Spring 1948 when due to low ridership the station was closed and later demolished. Significant growth in the area spurred the construction of a new station at Morgan Street. Lochner provided construction management for the $38 million elevated station, the first new station to open in 15 years.
FAP 305 (US 14) Reconstruction and Widening, Lucas Road to Crystal Lake Avenue, Phase II Engineering
Owner: Illinois Department of Transportation
Improvements along US 14 in McHenry County, Illinois brought needed widening of the corridor, improved access to area businesses and the McHenry County College, modernization of signalization and stormwater systems, and overall safety improvements. A specialized innovation was the development of a naturalized detention basin with wetland plantings for water detention and filtration as part of the new stormwater system. Lochner provide Phase II engineering for the 2.4 miles of improvements.
FAP 305 (US 14) Reconstruction and Widening, Lucas Road to Crystal Lake Avenue, Phase II Engineering
Owner: Illinois Department of Transportation
Improvements along US 14 in McHenry County, Illinois brought needed widening of the corridor, improved access to area businesses and the McHenry County College, modernization of signalization and stormwater systems, and overall safety improvements. A specialized innovation was the development of a naturalized detention basin with wetland plantings for water detention and filtration as part of the new stormwater system. Lochner provide Phase II engineering for the 2.4 miles of improvements.
Annual State of the Skyway and Capital Improvement Program Reports
Owner: Skyway Concession Company, LLC
Built in 1958 by the City of Chicago, the Chicago Skyway Toll Bridge is a 7.8-mile-long bridge and viaduct system that connects the Indiana Toll Road to the Dan Ryan Expressway on Chicago’s South Side. The main feature is the half-mile-long, 3-span steel through truss bridge over the Calumet River and Calumet Harbor, known as the “High Bridge.” Lochner provides annual inspections for the Chicago Skyway Toll Bridge System’s 60 bridges. This includes routine, element level, fracture critical, underwater, and pin inspections. In the 1950s, Lochner also designed portions of the initial highway and ramp connections for the Skyway Toll Road Expressway.
Annual State of the Skyway and Capital Improvement Program Reports
Owner: Skyway Concession Company, LLC
Built in 1958 by the City of Chicago, the Chicago Skyway Toll Bridge is a 7.8-mile-long bridge and viaduct system that connects the Indiana Toll Road to the Dan Ryan Expressway on Chicago’s South Side. The main feature is the half-mile-long, 3-span steel through truss bridge over the Calumet River and Calumet Harbor, known as the “High Bridge.” Lochner provides annual inspections for the Chicago Skyway Toll Bridge System’s 60 bridges. This includes routine, element level, fracture critical, underwater, and pin inspections. In the 1950s, Lochner also designed portions of the initial highway and ramp connections for the Skyway Toll Road Expressway.
Chatham Street Bridge, Phase III Engineering & Division Street Bridge, Phase I, II, and III Engineering
Owner: City of Blue Island, Illinois
The Chatham Street and Division Street bridges cross the Calumet Sag Channel in the city of Blue Island, Illinois. The almost identical bridges were originally built in 1964. Deteriorated to the point of closing, both bridges underwent a rehabilitation effort 52 years later in 2016 to bring them back into service. Today, these bridges are part of a vital artery that connects the north and south sides of the city. Lochner provided construction engineering and inspection for the rehabilitation of the Chatham Street Bridge, and planning, design, and construction engineering and inspection for the rehabilitation of the Division Street Bridge.
Chatham Street Bridge, Phase III Engineering & Division Street Bridge, Phase I, II, and III Engineering
Owner: City of Blue Island, Illinois
The Chatham Street and Division Street bridges cross the Calumet Sag Channel in the city of Blue Island, Illinois. The almost identical bridges were originally built in 1964. Deteriorated to the point of closing, both bridges underwent a rehabilitation effort 52 years later in 2016 to bring them back into service. Today, these bridges are part of a vital artery that connects the north and south sides of the city. Lochner provided construction engineering and inspection for the rehabilitation of the Chatham Street Bridge, and planning, design, and construction engineering and inspection for the rehabilitation of the Division Street Bridge.
CTA North Main Line (Red) Stations Rehabilitation Design-Build
Owner: Chicago Transit Authority
Chicago is home to the second largest public transportation system in the U.S. – the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA). CTA services Chicago and 35 suburbs with nearly 12,000 bus stops and 145 rapid transit stations. The Red Line is the busiest in the system, serving on average over 220,000 passengers each weekday and operating 24 hours a day. Lochner served as lead designer on the design-build team that delivered this $101 million program for the rehabilitation and associated work to seven North Main (Red) Line Stations. Improvements included station interiors, exteriors, and platforms as well as repairs to the viaducts, span replacements and track work within the project limits from Lawrence Station to Jarvis Station.
CTA North Main Line (Red) Stations Rehabilitation Design-Build
Owner: Chicago Transit Authority
Chicago is home to the second largest public transportation system in the U.S. – the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA). CTA services Chicago and 35 suburbs with nearly 12,000 bus stops and 145 rapid transit stations. The Red Line is the busiest in the system, serving on average over 220,000 passengers each weekday and operating 24 hours a day. Lochner served as lead designer on the design-build team that delivered this $101 million program for the rehabilitation and associated work to seven North Main (Red) Line Stations. Improvements included station interiors, exteriors, and platforms as well as repairs to the viaducts, span replacements and track work within the project limits from Lawrence Station to Jarvis Station.
Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Widening and Bridge Rehabilitation/Reconstruction, Wolf Road to Balmoral Avenue, Phase III Engineering
Owner: Illinois State Toll Highway Authority
The Illinois Tollway serves more than 1.6 million drivers daily along 294 lane miles of Interstates 80, 94, and 294. The Tollway’s 15-year, $14 billion capital program, Move Illinois, includes a variety of projects to improve mobility and relieve congestion. Lochner has supported more than 35 Illinois Tollway projects, including Mile Long Bridge Reconstruction, Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Roadway Reconstruction and Bridge Rehabilitation from 95th Street to LaGrange Road and Wolf Road to Balmoral Avenue, Jane Addams Memorial Tollway Reconstruction, I-90 Open Road Tolling Lanes, and Systemwide Construction Management Services.
Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Widening and Bridge Rehabilitation/Reconstruction, Wolf Road to Balmoral Avenue, Phase III Engineering
Owner: Illinois State Toll Highway Authority
The Illinois Tollway serves more than 1.6 million drivers daily along 294 lane miles of Interstates 80, 94, and 294. The Tollway’s 15-year, $14 billion capital program, Move Illinois, includes a variety of projects to improve mobility and relieve congestion. Lochner has supported more than 35 Illinois Tollway projects, including Mile Long Bridge Reconstruction, Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Roadway Reconstruction and Bridge Rehabilitation from 95th Street to LaGrange Road and Wolf Road to Balmoral Avenue, Jane Addams Memorial Tollway Reconstruction, I-90 Open Road Tolling Lanes, and Systemwide Construction Management Services.
Replacement of North Halsted Street Bridge over the Chicago River North Branch Canal, Phase I & II Engineering
Owner: Chicago Department of Transportation
The North Halsted Street Bridge was originally constructed in 1909 as a movable Bascule Pratt through truss crossing over the North Branch Chicago River Canal. Slated for replacement in 2010, the new, tied-arch bridge was designed as a signature bridge for the city and featured multimodal transportation improvements, including a new travel lane in each direction, marked bicycle lanes, and separated pedestrian facilities. Lochner provided Phase I and II design services for the replacement of the historic bridge.
Replacement of North Halsted Street Bridge over the Chicago River North Branch Canal, Phase I & II Engineering
Owner: Chicago Department of Transportation
The North Halsted Street Bridge was originally constructed in 1909 as a movable Bascule Pratt through truss crossing over the North Branch Chicago River Canal. Slated for replacement in 2010, the new, tied-arch bridge was designed as a signature bridge for the city and featured multimodal transportation improvements, including a new travel lane in each direction, marked bicycle lanes, and separated pedestrian facilities. Lochner provided Phase I and II design services for the replacement of the historic bridge.
Metra Healy Station and Bridge Improvements
Owner: Metra
Metra’s system includes 242 stations, approximately 1,200 track miles, and 847 bridges. In 2018 alone, more than 76.1 million passenger trips were taken on Metra. In 2011, Metra initiated the rehabilitation of the Healy Station passenger facilities to improve access and operations on the Milwaukee District commuter line. Lochner provided civil and structural engineering support for the rehabilitation efforts.
Metra Healy Station and Bridge Improvements
Owner: Metra
Metra’s system includes 242 stations, approximately 1,200 track miles, and 847 bridges. In 2018 alone, more than 76.1 million passenger trips were taken on Metra. In 2011, Metra initiated the rehabilitation of the Healy Station passenger facilities to improve access and operations on the Milwaukee District commuter line. Lochner provided civil and structural engineering support for the rehabilitation efforts.
Kennedy Expressway (I-90) Rehabilitation, Edens Expressway (I-94) to Ohio Street, Phase I Engineering
Owner: Illinois Department of Transportation
Carrying high traffic volumes nearly 24 hours a day, thirty-six bridges along Kennedy Expressway between Edens Expressway and Ohio Street serve as critical infrastructure for travelers entering and leaving the north side of Chicago. The Illinois Department of Transportation initiated a fast-track project to rehabilitate the structures, assessing optimal strategies for each bridge and coordinating with key stakeholders such as the Chicago Department of Transportation, Chicago’s Office of Emergency Management and Coordination, the Chicago Department of Water Management, alderman and elected officials, and nearby communities. Lochner is leading the Phase I engineering effort, including environmental studies.
Kennedy Expressway (I-90) Rehabilitation, Edens Expressway (I-94) to Ohio Street, Phase I Engineering
Owner: Illinois Department of Transportation
Carrying high traffic volumes nearly 24 hours a day, thirty-six bridges along Kennedy Expressway between Edens Expressway and Ohio Street serve as critical infrastructure for travelers entering and leaving the north side of Chicago. The Illinois Department of Transportation initiated a fast-track project to rehabilitate the structures, assessing optimal strategies for each bridge and coordinating with key stakeholders such as the Chicago Department of Transportation, Chicago’s Office of Emergency Management and Coordination, the Chicago Department of Water Management, alderman and elected officials, and nearby communities. Lochner is leading the Phase I engineering effort, including environmental studies.
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