F.H. Paschen is delighted to share the continuing success of the Mile Long Bridge, a project that has received an award from the American Council of Engineering Companies of Illinois (ACEC). This achievement is a testament to our commitment to building and improving the highways millions of drivers use every year.
Building the Mile Long Bridge was a monumental task. As a critical component of the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) reconstruction, the project involved replacing and widening two 65-year-old structures while keeping existing traffic lanes operational. Spanning two railroads, three waterways, local roads, and major distribution centers for UPS and BNSF Railway, the bridge presented unique challenges. To address these challenges, our dedicated team, working in close collaboration with project partners, implemented innovative strategies. The use of fewer and longer spans for each bridge reduced the impact on the sensitive aquatic ecosystem, waterways, railroads, and roads below. This approach also minimized the number of deck joints, contributing to the bridge’s durability and extending its service life to 100 years.
The project’s design included flex lanes, allowing for adaptive transit during peak travel periods and catering to safety-related needs in emergencies. Construction began in the spring of 2019, with the completion of the new northbound bridge in November 2020, and the southbound bridge finished in November 2022. Throughout this timeline, the existing bridges were replaced without disrupting Tollway customers, showcasing our commitment to efficiency and minimal inconvenience.
The Mile Long Bridge stands as a symbol of F.H. Paschen’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of conventional engineering. As we celebrate this achievement, F.H. Paschen remains committed to delivering excellence in every project and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the world of construction and engineering.