Longmeadow Parkway Named APWA Fox Valley Branch Project of the Year
KANE COUNTY, IL—The Longmeadow Parkway Bridge Corridor has been named the 2025 Project of the Year by the Fox Valley Branch of the American Public Works Association (APWA) Chicago Metro Chapter. Recognized for its impact in reducing traffic congestion, improving safety and driving economic growth in Northern Kane County, the project marks a major infrastructure achievement more than 30 years in the making.
Spanning 5.6 miles, the completed corridor features a new four-lane roadway and a bridge over the Fox River. Over the past eight years, Benesch has played a key role in constructing two critical segments of the project.
The Kane County Division of Transportation initially selected Benesch to provide construction management services for Section D, which involved building a half mile of new roadway and widening a portion of Illinois Route 62 to accommodate the new intersection with Longmeadow Parkway. Following the successful completion of that section, Benesch was chosen to oversee Section C-2, which completed the corridor with an additional mile of roadway, a steel-beam bridge over Sandbloom Road, a multi-use path and new traffic signals.
Given the project’s proximity to the Fox River and other sensitive environments, erosion and sediment control were key priorities. Benesch adjusted the erosion control plans to improve sediment management and minimize environmental impact.
During construction, unexpected soil conditions and misplaced utilities posed significant challenges that could have delayed progress. Benesch identified multiple solutions, ultimately developing two redesigns—one that completely revamped a bypass sewer and another that adjusted the roadway geometry to avoid a gas line conflict in a ravine. These proactive changes helped keep the project on track, reducing costs and minimizing delays.
Another significant challenge was a hill containing hazardous levels of lead that stood in the way of completing the new road. When the Illinois and Kane County Departments of Transportation were unable to reach an agreement with the C-2 contractor on removing the material, Benesch assisted KDOT in identifying work that could be removed from the contract and completed separately after the lead was cleared. Benesch oversaw these contracts, along with the C-2A and C2-B contracts.
On February 11, members of the project team were presented with the award at the Fox Valley Branch Awards Luncheon.
