This $200 million project consisted of the reconstruction of the upper and lower levels of the Wacker Drive viaduct – a central thoroughfare originally built in 1926 through the heart of Chicago’s “Loop”. Benesch provided overall construction management for the three contract segments which extended from Michigan Avenue to Randolph Street. This highly complex project preserved the architectural tradition and historical elements of the past while meeting the infrastructure needs of the future.

To enhance safety and improve the connection between I-74 and Peoria, IL, the interchange on I-74 at the Murray Baker Bridge needed extensive improvements, while incorporating the existing bridge into a reconfigured interchange. Benesch provided value engineering workshops and design that yielded an innovative, economical, complex solution to shorten the truss. It was the first known shortening of its kind, achieved by using a custom-designed load transfer device to cut the truss without load.

One of the largest endeavors in Lincoln, NE, this project serves as a guide for all future development there. Benesch led environmental investigation, design and construction oversight including environmental site assessments, wetland delineations and soils/groundwater drilling, sampling and on-going monitoring. The project also involved extensive geotechnical work related to an arena and nearby buildings, and engineering and oversight for nearby railroad facility and track relocations.

This 5.5-mile bypass alleviated congestion, reduced travel time, improved safety and provided an much-needed new link between Lehigh Valley, PA, and Berks County. Benesch designed a 3.75-mile, four-lane segment on a new alignment, 12 structures, two new interchanges and multiple intersection improvements. Work also included a traffic study and signal design, environmental mitigation, public coordination, stormwater management and more.

As part of Chicago’s CREATE program – an initiative to reduce vehicular and freight rail congestion – this project replaced two at-grade railroad crossings with a multi-tiered grade separation. The final intersection design included three railroad, two pedestrian and one roadway bridge, as well as significant roadway realignment. The top tier of this project is a 394’ double track, ballasted deck, through truss rail bridge structure which was built off-site and rolled into place over an 8-hour window.

Considered the largest “pond” in the United States, this park in South Carolina has a rich tradition in rowing dating back to the late 1800s, hosting some of the top rowing events in the country. As part of an effort to turn the pond into a destination venue for elite water sporting events, Benesch developed a master plan of all facilities and prepared Phase I elements including the Finish Line Tower and spectator seating.

Benesch provided structural design and construction observation for this 83-acre site bounded by Chicago’s Michigan Avenue, the Chicago River, and Lake Michigan. The complex features office, commercial and residential space accessed by a three-level street system; an enclosed pedestrian walkway that connects retail shopping in each building; a commuter railroad station; and future subway station. Design also included complex utilities; storm and sanitary sewer; and a six-acre park.

This Mississippi River bridge needed to be replaced because the existing steel truss structure had become obsolete and was prone to frequent closure due to flooding. The new twin, tied arch structure consisted of 15-spans and was 4,000 in length. The bridge received national attention, garnering various awards including the Innovative Structure Award from SEAOI and ACEC IL’s Eminent Conceptor Award. The design was noted for enhancing bridge aesthetics while providing structural integrity.

One of the most congested, crash-prone intersections in Chicago, Benesch’s design upgraded it from a Level of Service F to C through an innovative reroute of the six-legged intersection to three standard intersections. Benesch provided preliminary and final design for 2,500 feet of protected bike lane, bus shelters, traffic signals, land acquisition and more. It’s a success story in stakeholder coordination and pedestrian safety, and cost far less than the originally proposed underpass solution.

Designed in response to growing safety concerns, this interchange improvement project used Context Sensitive Solutions to address stakeholder needs. An aggressive construction schedule was identified by the Michigan DOT—in response, Benesch developed an innovative system for designing and constructing more than 4,000 feet of precast retaining walls, a critical project feature which minimized floodplain impacts, eliminated additional right-of-way needs, and delivered the overall project on time.

This historically significant project replaced a pair of structurally deficient structures in Lincoln, NE that used to carry a trolley line pre-1945 over a trail. Through Value Planning and extensive public involvement, Benesch designed new twin steel girder bridges that met the community’s historic, aesthetic and transportation needs in just one year, and opened to much community fanfare.

This project involved Accelerated Bridge Construction to replace three bridges in 60 days to increase overheard clearance to meet safety standards. Benesch designed the bridges to increase overhead clearances to minimize the possibility of the structures being struck and damaged by vehicles, and reduced the need for unforeseen bridge maintenance expenses. The project also included roadway and ramp improvements as well as upgrades to the existing guide rail.

To accommodate continued growth, Benesch redesigned this busy intersection to improve its level of service and turning radii for area school bus traffic, widen the bridge over a railroad to provide a left turn lane, and develop interim and future concepts to help expand Intelligent Transportation Systems and pedestrian access in the corridor. Work also included 1,600 feet of roadway, guardrail and safety improvements, traffic signal design and construction engineering and inspection.

Originally constructed in 1898, the structure had approached the end of its useful life. Benesch designed a signature replacement bridge, featuring four lanes of traffic, dedicated bike lanes and 12-foot sidewalks with observational buildouts. The bridge carries Boston’s historic Freedom Trail over the Charles River and provides a critical link between downtown and Charlestown. This $177 million replacement features aesthetic enhancements that celebrate the bridge’s natural and built surroundings.

An innovative structural framing system brings together unique structure types at 10 & 30 South Wacker, where two 38-story skyscrapers cantilever over a 10-story low-rise building below. At 40,000 square feet, the low-rise structure was the largest column-free trading facility in the world at the time of its construction; the skyscrapers were the first in Chicago to be constructed entirely of concrete. The project’s structural engineering innovations received top honors from ACEC-IL in 1984.

This interchange improvement project was the first-ever conversion of an existing full cloverleaf interchange into a Diverging Diamond Interchange configuration. Selected for its ability to efficiently handle high-volume left-turn movements at ramp terminals, Benesch determined this design would also maximize green time for through traffic on Rangeline Road. Staged construction allowed I-44 to remain open as the interstate structure was fully replaced to make way for the DDI below.

As part of the Illinois Tollway’s plan to widen and rebuild 62 miles of I-90, Benesch led a seven-mile design section and 25 miles of corridor management, including a smart corridor plan. It included state-of-the-industry equipment such as Intelligent Transportation Systems, Dynamic Messaging Signs, digital CCTV equipment; Remote Traffic Microwave Sensor upgrades; active traffic management infrastructure and more to prepare for future managed lane operations and vehicle-connected communications.

Benesch designed this state-of-the-art baseball/softball facility in York, NE, and delivered it on a reduced budget. It consisted of eight fields; two press boxes; restroom and maintenance facilities; team warm-up areas and batting cages; lighting; scoreboards; and player/fan amenities such as concessions, picnic areas, a play structure and parking. In its first season, the complex hosted more than 1,100 games and local businesses reported increased revenue from 5-20% after its opening.

Through innovative Accelerated Bridge Construction techniques, careful planning and coordination, and constructability reviews, Benesch designed the replacement of a three-span steel deck I-beam bridge carrying the Pennsylvania Turnpike over the Norfolk Southern Railroad during just two weekend closures of the roadway.

Chicago’s vision for a “second shoreline” was realized through the Riverwalk, a continuous path connecting the Lakefront to the city’s West Loop neighborhood. Melding Chicago’s urban downtown with the river’s natural features, the project is a testament to innovative design and construction. Benesch designed the structural components and performed construction management. The project addressed environmental and structural challenges and created opportunity for all to enjoy the protected waterway.

Benesch developed a special computer program for this project which used basic stress data to design and plot joint locations for a new bridge carrying I-57 over the Mississippi River. Located in an earthquake zone, the bridge is a three-span continuous truss with a stringer-type system and was designed to accommodate complex lateral loads. The bridge was awarded the Structural Engineers Association of Illinois Award of Merit in 1980.

In the 1970s, the Federal Government directed the states to develop bridge inspection programs. In Colorado, Benesch was tapped to be on a committee to help develop the program specifics as well as perform inspection work. For 40 years, Benesch performed inspection services for the Colorado DOT and numerous municipalities through the DOT’s off-system bridge inspection program. During this time, we performed over 32,000 inspections – including bridges and structures of all shapes and sizes.

Benesch led the design to replace and expand this stadium and support facilities. The project included new home and visitor grandstands, field house, concession buildings, stadium storage building, ticket kiosks, plazas, artificial turf football field and athletic field lighting. The existing six-lane track was replaced with a new eight-lane rubber latex surface track. Other highlights include parking areas, emergency vehicle access driveways, sidewalks and utilities.

Built in response to unprecedented population growth throughout Mecklenburg County, this $48M Emergency Medical Services facility transformed three vacant buildings in a distressed business district into a 20-acre state-of-the-art industrial site. At the heart of its design is a seamless blend of aesthetic and functional improvements that addressed major construction challenges and will support expanded EMS service for years to come.

This project replaced 1.2 million square feet of deteriorated bridge deck on Michigan’s busiest highway connecting Detroit to Canada. Redecking the 8,600-foot-long structure saved $300 million and extended its life by 50 years. Benesch’s design included a complex traffic management plan, public involvement and innovations such as enhanced load rating and a deep deck haunch design to simplify and expedite construction. The project addressed traffic needs, boosted the economy and improved access.

Numerous crashes at this busy intersection compelled the City of Lincoln to make a big change. Benesch designed a modern roundabout – the first of its kind in the area – to improve safety and traffic flow. Elliptically shaped, it used splitter islands, narrow lanes, tunnel effect landscaping, and pedestrian crossing points behind the point of vehicle entry. Removal of wooden poles, traffic signals and overhead wires enhanced aesthetics. Since construction, far fewer crashes have occurred.

The Florida DOT’s Corridor Management Master Plan for the US-92/ISB corridor was developed in response to rapid growth in the area. The project’s scope went beyond that of a typical corridor planning study, incorporating a comprehensive implentation program which considered all safety, transit, economic development investments, congestion management and other critical issues into account. With a horizon year of 2035, the CMMP combined and assessed the impacts of more than 50 future projects within the corridor.

Welcoming visitors to the NFL Draft in Nashville, a 4,000-pound sign was hung from the iconic John Siegenthaler Pedestrian Bridge over the Cumberland River. Having been involved in the structural analysis and evaluation of the structure, Benesch used innovative finite modeling to ensure the 11,400-pound sign was hoisted and mounted safely atop the bridge. The evaluation was completed on an accelerated schedule, allowing for the sign to go up in time for the Draft.

This project relocated a mile-long segment of the iconic Lake Shore Drive in Chicago, an eight-lane, two-level urban arterial that ties into a three-level street system serving a high-rise, mixed-use development. The existing configuration included two 90-degree turns that restricted traffic flow and created a safety hazard. Benesch led the overall roadway design; harbor revisions; new dockwall; a turning basin for boats entering the Chicago River; a lakefront park; storm sewers; and more.

Benesch led the design to replace this deteriorated bridge in Newington, CT. Substantial traffic volumes and lane restrictions required the use of Accelerated Bridge Construction techniques using prefabricated bridge units to minimize delays. The replacement was completed in two major stages, each taking place within 56-hour weekend work windows. The complex design required significant coordination with Amtrak and incorporated specialized post-tensioning details required to maintain traffic.

This once deteriorated station in downtown Milwaukee was transformed into a state-of-the-art, accessible gateway structure to the city while maintaining daily freight and passenger rail traffic. Benesch’s design included the cost-efficient reuse of timber foundations and existing track configurations, ADA upgrades and technological, sustainable features like hearing loop technology; a wind-driven ventilator; structural mezzanine; escalators and elevators; live-stream pedestrian kiosks and more.

This project entailed the greenfield development of an 81-acre medical center campus that includes a 50-bed hospital, a 53,000-square-foot medical office building and three out-parcel developments. Benesch led the design for the first phase of the project including 36 acres of mass grading, erosion and stormwater facilities, and utility infrastructure to support the full development. Landscape design included a dining courtyard, healing garden, seating areas and an arbor.

This massive, environmentally sensitive project addressed rapid growth and high traffic demands. Benesch provided preliminary and final design and construction and corridor management for five miles of new roadway; eight highway bridges including a river crossing; two railroad bridges; four pedestrian bridges; new multi-use path; intersection upgrades; and more. Environmental elements included new green space, wetland and savannah restoration, permeable pavement and hundreds of new plantings.

Indian Lake Sports Complex was one of the first tournament level softball complexes to be developed in eastern North Carolina. Benesch worked with the Town of Tarboro to create the master plan and final construction documents for this 75-acre park, which included four softball fields, a baseball field, two soccer fields, tennis courts, a picnic shelter and playground facilities. Organizations that host tournaments at this facility include: Triple Crown Sports, Top Gun, USSSA, ASA and NCUSFA.

This project converted a major arterial from a two-lane rural section to a four-lane divided, including re-aligning the roadway and reconfiguring the intersection with Nebraska Hwy 50. This project also featured the first triple left turn lane for the City of Omaha. Benesch performed the design and assisted the City during construction.

For over 70 years, Benesch has been a trusted partner of the Lincoln Airport on a variety of airside and landside improvements. Runway/taxiway design, terminal apron improvements, PCI studies, NAVAIDs, access roads and more– we have successfully delivered a myriad of projects. In the last two decades, Benesch has helped redevelop the general aviation area into three components– Residential (T-Hangar for local tenants), Commercial (corporate hangars) and Industrial (FBO/maintenance facilities).

Benesch led design and construction engineering for this project that involved a new bypass, curved steel girder structure, roadway widening, additional travel lanes and new interchanges in Connecticut. The project team relied on an expedited design and permitting approach which succeeded thanks to rapid building techniques such as precast structural elements and a collaborative private-public partnership. The accelerated project was completed in just 27 months.

This urban arterial in Grovetown, GA, was widened from two to three lanes to accommodate a significant traffic increase from the addition of cyber and intelligence command centers at Fort Gordon. Benesch designed 1.8 miles of roadway; bike lanes; a signalized intersection; storm sewer system; and led utility and railroad coordination. The project was also the first Transportation Investment Act project administered in Georgia, of which Benesch helped develop the requirements.

This once abandoned brownfield and rail yard turned urban environmental oasis transformed 24 acres into a revitalized park for the Milwaukee, WI, community. Benesch performed site layout and design, structural engineering, path geometry and developed a one-of-a-kind underground stormwater management system to control erosion. The project includes two new pedestrian bridges and multi-use trail. Contaminated soil from past industries was safely covered and molded into a glacial-like topography.

This heavy arterial interchange project is a value engineering success story in Jackson County, MO. Benesch led conceptual, preliminary and final design. The original conceptual design called for a new Single Point Urban Interchange and replacement of a nearby railroad bridge. Through value engineering, innovative design techniques such as a tight urban diamond with MSE walls, prestressed concrete box girders and the elimination of staged construction significantly reduced the project cost.

Providing a signature connection between the Connecticut Convention Center and a new mixed-use development known as Adriaen’s Landing, this award-winning 268-foot pedestrian structure was designed with form and function in mind. Aesthetic elements such as ornamental lighting and planters are supported by a prestressed post-tensioned concrete deck capable of handling asymmetric loads during high-traffic events, as well as emergency or maintenance vehicles when required.

Benesch worked with the Illinois DOT to establish a corridor-wide vision for this 11-mile interstate improvement project in Peoria, IL, including roadway reconstruction and widening, integrated ITS, improvements to 12 interchanges, and the first-ever shortening of an existing cantilevered truss bridge. Final design efforts for the corridor required an extensive public involvement plan and the coordination of seven separate consultant design teams.

A principal arterial in suburban Philadelphia, this 6.7-mile section of SR 322 was experiencing heavy traffic congestion, high accident rates, uncontrolled access and was unable to accommodate growth in the area. Benesch developed a final design that included two additional lanes, three miles of non-motorized paths, and several traffic enhancements, such as ITS and adaptive signalization. This phased project is estimated at $290 million, including over $70 million constructed or under construction.

After Hurricane Matthew destroyed a large part of this state road in Florida, Benesch studied nine focus areas across three counties to evaluate the possibility of a Complete Streets approach for local agencies to cohesively implement during future improvements. Benesch also led public involvement meetings to update stakeholders about on-going construction activities.

This massive, $1.2 billion corridor improvement increased capacity between the Quad Cities in Iowa and Illinois. Benesch served as Corridor-Wide Coordinator and Central Section Design Lead for seven miles of interstate expansion, river bridge substructure design, true arch superstructure design oversight, arterial street upgrades and increased pedestrian/bicyclist access. Benesch managed uniformity and quality on all corridor sections, as well as schedules, staging schemes and public outreach.

Using a risk-based approach, Benesch evaluated system conditions and recommended improvements for this project in Kansas City. The scope included CCTV reviews, manhole inspection and field investigations to identify defects and deficiencies. Smoke testing was also done for 430,000+ linear feet of sewer lines. Data was reviewed for failure potential and risk ratings were developed for each pipe and manhole so the City could determine the highest return on investment for infrastructure.

Built in 1891, this historic Massachusetts bridge over the Connecticut River and a railroad provides a vital link between two cities and drives area commerce. Benesch provided complex bridge design to rehabilitate this 793-foot-long structure, consisting of through truss and through girder spans. Key project elements included bridge inspection using special bridge rigging; and exodermic bridge deck system and metal grid sidewalk replacement; seismic analysis; and more.

A history of seepage issues and an inadequate spillway capacity necessitated rehabilitation of the Indian Run Dam, which includes a 49.5-acre potable water reservoir. Designed and constructed during a year with record rainfall and a full reservoir pool, the rehabilitated embankment and a new spillway came in at $1.3M below the client’s estimated budget while successfully mitigating challenges related to wetland and endangered species mitigation.

This elevated mall structure spanning two roadways and rock outcroppings the length of seven football fields was the nation’s first high-end designer outlet at a casino. Benesch led feasibility studies for location, access, utility relocation and structural support to accommodate the facility’s column support. Work also included traffic engineering, permitting, drainage and construction administration. The project was completed on an aggressive schedule while maintaining casino operations.

To accelerate the erection schedule for this critical waterway crossing, Benesch analyzed the many different stages of erection for the complex girder structure using LUSAS 3D modeling software. With water reaching depths of more than 70 feet, modeling efforts were critical to providing a “test run” of the erection procedure so potential issues could be addressed in advance of erection.

Hailed as one of the world’s most innovative structures and built in anticipation of Super Bowl XL, this signature modified tied arch bridge carries six lanes of traffic outside of Detroit. Benesch’s design solved redundancy issues common with tied arches, and included pressurized arch ribs resembling footballs. Underground longitudinal ties compensated for unstable soil to make the true arch design possible. Sealed, pressurized ribs also allow for easy inspection access and prevent corrosion.

Benesch led 10 separate projects as part of an overall Capital Improvement Plan for the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department. Ranging in cost from $2.8M to $17M, these projects brought the Department’s plant facilities into full compliance with all applicable permits and agency requirements, including the latest clean air and water acts.

To address a significant increase in traffic, Benesch led the conceptual study and design to reconfigure this busy interchange. A main constraint during design was the three-lane bridge over US 65, which could not be widened more than one girder without resulting in significant structural issues and costs. The design solution was a Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) – one of the first in Missouri – to replace the traditional diamond configuration and improve traffic flow.

Benesch led design for this $225 million project which involved the rehabilitation and/or replacement of 12 structures that encompass the elevated platforms and street network around Philadelphia’s historic 30th Street Station. Extensive stakeholder engagement was essential, including coordination with three railroads, two major universities and several commercial structures also undergoing major upgrades. Other key elements included permitting, traffic control plans, bridge inspection and more.

When East Carolina University sought to expand several of their sports facilities, Benesch provided master planning and final design services to bring the accelerated multi-phased project to life. The design team faced several challenges at the 20-acre site, including the need to expand facilities while minimizing any loss of existing parking areas and the mitigation of complex off-site drainage. The completed complex is now provides a signature campus gateway.

The City of Chicago’s ambitious Streets for Cycling program identified an approximately 645-mile network of on-street bikeway opportunities. To date, Benesch has provided preliminary and final engineering services for more than 25 miles of buffered and protected bike lanes throughout the city. Innovative design and data collection approaches have been key to these accelerated projects, which are based on a Complete Streets philosophy for improving equitable access on city streets for all types of users.

Designed to improve safety, reduce conflicts, and facilitate travel along the city’s southern boundary, this project will be transformative for the region. When complete, the Beltway will bring 11 miles of new freeway to the area, with two system interchanges, three service interchanges, 23 bridges, 11 roundabouts, and 43 miles of existing roadway realignment throughout the corridor. Benesch designed this $350 million project – one of the largest projects ever undertaken by the Nebraska DOT.

This project replaced a clover leaf configuration with a Single Point Urban Interchange to improve capacity, mobility and safety in a corridor that serves Western Michigan University, residential and commercial areas. Benesch played a key role in the redesign. Accelerated Bridge Construction using prefabricated substructure elements shaved six weeks off the accelerated schedule, reducing costs and traffic impacts. Other highlights included a shared use path, carpool lot and interchange lighting.

Unprecedented rainfall in north central Colorado caused a 100-year flood event that caused massive infrastructure damage. Benesch provided construction management and inspection for flood damage repairs in the Fourmile Canyon area. Work included retaining walls, bridge and roadway reconstruction, and stream restoration. An extensive public involvement plan ensured minimal impacts to businesses and residents. Sound ecological practices like revegetation created a sustainable, resilient watershed.

This project involved rehabilitation of a historic, three-span stone masonry arch bridge. Benesch provided permitting, civil and structural engineering to repair and strengthen masonry walls, bridge foundations and wing walls. Due to the extent of scour, settlement and cracking, construction of a concrete mud slab in each span was used to stabilize the arches. Structure fill was also replaced with lightweight concrete and scour protection was installed.

This project came as a response to increasing traffic congestion and safety concerns in a significant transportation hub in Riley County, Kansas. Benesch provided value planning, interchange design and construction services to assist the City of Manhattan and the Kansas Department of Transportation. Our design approach enabled them to meet the challenges of a tight budget, physical site constraints and a confined construction schedule, while improving the functionality and safety of the interchange.

Benesch led structural design for this 66-story, concrete and steel mixed-use development containing retail, office, hotel and residential space. While not uncommon to use steel and concrete in one structure, it was unique to stack 36 stories of concrete atop 30 stories of steel. Innovations included an exterior moment frame, or tube structure, for wind load resistance for maximum flexibility. A structural steel transfer system also provided a transition between steel and concrete framing.

This $7M water distribution system upgrade replaced waterline infrastructure dating back as far as the 1800s. Through asset management and extensive hydraulic modeling, Benesch’s was able to determine where system deficiencies existed and develop the most cost-effective improvements for the overall system. Following completion, the client township saw a reduction of approximately 100,000 gallons per day with a 200% increase in fire flow and a 20% drop in unaccounted-for water.

Filters and auxiliary facilities at Springwells, one of Detroit’s largest, most critical water treatment plants, needed replacement after 50 years of use. Benesch led the design for new sampling pumps, the chemical feed system, new flow pacing strategies and structural rehabilitation for support facilities, including an electric room. Design also included detailed construction sequencing critical to ensuring continuous plant operations during construction.

A vital transportation link between Philadelphia, Lehigh Valley, and New York City, the 3.2 mile extension of Route 33 reduced traffic, travel times and improved safety of the overall transportation network in the area, while at the same time serving as a stimulus for continued economic development in the region.

Construction of this new three-track, three-span bridge across I-190 and a rail traffic control point reconfiguration was needed as part of a major commuter line expansion. Maintaining traffic on I-190, also under construction, was critical as it is the only access road to O’Hare International Airport. As construction manager, Benesch oversaw detailed staging and coordinated with multiple state and transit agencies to execute track and lane closures to complete construction on time.

The August Canal was originally constructed in 1845 and was designated as Georgia’s first-ever National Heritage Area in 1998, when a masterplan was created to implement various facilities highlighting the canal’s historical significance. Central to the masterplan is the River Trail, which features boardwalk sections and two signature structures connecting a 13-mile multi-use trail system within the heritage site to downtown Augusta and the picturesque Savannah River.

This popular urban crossing was replaced on an accelerated schedule using phased construction to minimize traffic impacts. Benesch served as civil/structural engineer for the design/build of the new bridge. Highlights included roadway widening and realignment; accent lighting; plazas; decorative planters, benches, walls and railings; and landscaping along the trail below the bridge. The project also involved traffic signal design, pedestrian paths and storm sewer realignment.

Benesch provided design and permitting services for a high-volume driveway, two-mile access road, 5,000-foot water distribution system and one-million-gallon water storage tank for this 1,500-acre business park. Design also included a privately operated and maintained rest area to replace a public one, which saved PennDOT approximately $10 million.

A major increase in containerized freight traffic led to the need for a massive new facility to handle it in Chicago. Benesch designed and oversaw the construction of this 91-acre railroad yard – the first of its kind to process double-stack containerized freight. After conducting a value planning study, the project was divided into 12 contracts. The entire facility was built in 16 months, including staging the construction to allow existing operations to continue without disruption.

Benesch led design and and construction inspection for this outdoor gathering venue at Augusta University Summerville Campus in Georgia. The design married an environment of higher education and relaxation for students, faculty, staff, and the community. The project included sound and electrical elements; a band shell; seating tiers; lighting; landscaping; and more. A complex drainage system and artificial turf were also installed to allow performances minutes after a rain event.

Benesch designed this new sewage collection system and wastewater treatment facility in Pennsylvania. Consisting of nearly 30 miles of pipe, it has a design flow of 550,000 gallons per day. Disinfection is provided by ultraviolet light and solids handling is accomplished through aerobic digestion and dewatering on reed-planted drying beds. The project also included an access road, a single span concrete bridge, and value engineering workshops that reduced the project cost by more than $65,000.

18 months were cut from this $54 million project’s construction schedule thanks to the implementation of the Construction Manager/General Contractor delivery method and several Accelerated Bridge Construction techniques. Modular roadway superstructures transported and lifted into place, rail bridge sections slid into place on an active rail line, and retrofitting existing micropiles are only a handful of ways this innovative project delivered much needed improvements to I-240 in record time.

Built in the late 1800’s, Benesch designed innovative, economical replacement structures for these deteriorated steel trestle bridges serving Kentucky’s Fort Knox Army Base – all while maintaining rail traffic. Multiple horizontal and vertical track profiles were developed. Also, long-span, prestressed concrete girders and multi-column piers – typically used on highways – allowed the new bridges to be built 10 feet from the existing ones, minimizing rail realignment and environmental impacts.

As part of a transit line extension to Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport, Benesch designed a station beneath an existing five-story parking garage and a tunnel system to transfer passengers from the station to airport concourses. Plans could not impact airport operations or parking garage access. A value engineering study led to a solution that simplified excavation under the garage, reduced construction time, eliminated water seepage issues and reduced the construction cost by $2 million.