Construction Inspections Featured Projects

HEI was selected by IDOT - District 9 to be part of and lead a team for various Phase III services. Under this contract, HEI provided a project manager, materials, construction inspectors, and documentation engineer for this 2,678’ long, $140M bridge replacement project on I-64 near Grayville, IL. Replacing the I-64 bridge over the Wabash River at the Illinois/Indiana border is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, it ensures the safety of all interstate road users. Secondly, a well-maintained road facilitates smooth traffic flow, reducing congestion and travel time, which is essential for the efficient movement of people and goods. This is particularly important in an interstate highway, which serves as a key route for emergency services, public transportation, and commercial activities. Additionally, a properly maintained road enhances the overall aesthetic and economic appeal of the area, attracting businesses and visitors, and contributing to the region’s quality of life. This project consisted of removing two parallel 2,700’ long structures, earth excavation, environmental coordination, PCC pavement, drilled shafts, cofferdams, 13,000’ of piling, storm sewer, and median crossovers. The HEI staff was responsible for daily construction inspection, materials inspection and testing, daily diary, quantity and material documentation, CMMS entries, traffic control and erosion control inspections, pay estimates, change orders, and coordination with IDOT.

HEI was selected by IDOT for Phase III services for this interchange/interstate reconstruction project. This $84 million project featured the reconstruction of 3.85 miles of pavement on I-74 and I-155, reconstruction of the I-74/I-155 interchange into a new configuration, reconstruction of the I-74/Morton Avenue interchange, the removal and replacement of six structures, and removal of two additional structures. The work included 12” recycled PCC subbase, 4” HMA base, 11” CRC pavement, MSE retaining walls, soldier pile retaining walls, HMA bike trail, PCC median barrier, pavement removal, storm sewer, pipe culverts, earthwork, highway lighting, and the installation of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) elements for traffic monitoring. The complex project included 790,000-cy of earthwork, 400,000-cy of aggregate and 93,000-cy of concrete. Unique aspects of the project included the use of light weight concrete for large backfills, the use of a wick drain system to expedite embankment settlement, and a complex staging plan that utilized 14 different stages to maintain traffic flow through the work zone. HEI was responsible for providing a liaison engineer along with eight inspectors throughout the five year project. The HEI staff was responsible for daily inspection and materials testing, checking contractor layout using GPS Rover, ICORS data entries, quantity and material documentation, materials testing, scheduling staff assignments, and value engineering review. This project was awarded a ACEC Engineering Excellence Merit Award.

HEI provided the liaison engineer and construction inspectors for this $40M river bridge replacement project. The $40M project featured the construction of a new 8 span, 1800’ long steel girder bridge on IL 89 over the Illinois River at Spring Valley. The project included approach work on both sides of the river as well as demolition of the existing bridge. The project is complicated by the limited work space and fluctuating river levels. Several unique aspects of the project included the contractors use of a barge causeway to access the construction area as well as the use of 9’ tall steel girders. IDOT provided the resident engineer and HEI provided an assistant resident engineer, support staff and sub-consultants to meet all requirements for Phase III Engineering (construction inspection/materials inspection). Unique aspects of the project included wick drains, 8’-diameter drilled shafts, T.I.P. testing for drilled shafts, 90’ sheet piling, hydrometer, and embankment surcharges. The project included new 9” PCC jointed pavement for approaches along with a new highway lighting system.

HEI was selected by IDOT - District 2 as part of a team for various Phase III services. Under this various contract, HEI provided a resident engineer, construction inspector, and documentation technician for this 3,900’ long, $3.4M urban street reconstruction project on IL 84 through Hanover, IL. Fixing the Great River Road is crucial for several reasons because of its direct route from the Quad Cites to Galena/Dubuque. Firstly, it ensures the safety of all road users, including drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians, by eliminating hazards such as potholes and uneven surfaces that can cause accidents. Secondly, a well-maintained road facilitates smooth traffic flow, reducing congestion and travel time, which is essential for the efficient movement of people and goods. This is particularly important in a main thoroughfare, which often serves as a key route for emergency services, public transportation, and commercial activities. Additionally, a properly maintained road enhances the overall aesthetic and economic appeal of the area, attracting businesses and visitors, and contributing to the community’s quality of life. This project consisted of construction vibration monitoring, precast modular retaining walls, earth excavation, sodding, PCC pavement with aggregate subbase, HMA resurfacing, PCC driveways, PCC sidewalk, curb and gutter, storm sewer system, and grooved-in pavement markings. The HEI staff was responsible for daily construction inspection, materials inspection and testing, daily diary, quantity and material documentation, CMMS entries, traffic control and erosion control inspections, pay estimates, change orders, and coordination with Village.

HEI provided surveys, construction and materials Inspection and documentation for the new Northwest Bike Path located in Carbondale, Illinois. This project included converting an abandoned railroad to a pedestrian and bicycle path for 1.08 miles. Project consisted of tree removal, building 1.08 miles of 8’ wide sidewalk, constructing a pedestrian truss bridge, culvert, and drainage work as well as all associated inspection, testing, and documentation for IDOT/CMMS.

HEI provided survey, construction and materials inspection and documentation for the New Era Road located in Carbondale, Illinois. This road was an open ditch rural section that was converted to a combination curb and gutter urban section with bicycle lanes for 0.34 miles. This project also included numerous utility relocations, tree removal, sub-base improvement, storm sewer installation, concrete pavements, combination concrete curb and gutter, and hot-mix asphalt surfacing as well as all associated inspection, testing, and documentation for IDOT/CMMS.

On Call Construction Inspections

HEI was selected by the City of Aledo to provide preliminary and construction engineering services including preparation of a project development report, plans, specifications, estimates and full construction oversight for the construction of a recreational trail along IL Route 17/94.

HEI was selected by the Illinois Department of Transportation - District 3 to provide construction oversight services for the reconstruction of at-grade Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) crossings in the cities of Pontiac and Dwight, Illinois. The projects were part of the Illinois High-Speed Rail project involving improving existing rail services between Chicago and St. Louis with upgrades allowing trains to travel up to 110 miles per hour. The $4 million Dwight project included UPRR crossings on Mazon Avenue (IL Rte. 17) and the crossing on Chippewa Street.