Grand Avenue Reconstruction, Fullerton Avenue to Desplaines Street

The City of Chicago initiated an improvement project for an 8.5-mile stretch of Grand Avenue between Fullerton Avenue and Desplaines Street. In its Phase I Project Development Report, Lochner recommended resurfacing or reconstructing various segments of the roadway, which included some widening within the existing right of way.

In Phase II, Lochner prepared final design, contract plans, specifications, and cost estimates for the project. The design plans included roadway reconstruction or resurfacing; reconstruction of sidewalks, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ramps, curbs, and gutters; street lighting improvements; bicycle lanes; erosion and sediment control; and drainage improvements. Drainage improvements included relocation of the main sewer at the Grand/Fullerton intersection and other drainage improvements included lateral sewers and structures. Lochner also performed intersection design for improvements to 31 signalized intersections, including the reconstruction and realignment of a large intersection at the project’s western end.

The project’s urban location created a number of challenges. To maintain pedestrian access to adjacent buildings and businesses, the existing sidewalk elevation could not be significantly altered. Lochner had to ensure that all crosswalks and curb ramps complied with ADA requirements while maintaining the sidewalk elevation at the property line. The urban environment also necessitated a complex maintenance of traffic plan that allowed for continuous vehicular access to key routes and employee/patron access to local businesses.