CREATE WA-1

The Union Pacific Railroad (UP) selected the Benesch Team to provide engineering design improvements to the railroad’s Rockwell Subdivision as part of the CREATE (Chicago Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency Program) WA-1 project. When the CREATE WA-1 contract was first administered, Benesch was selected by UP to explore viable repair options for several structures along the project corridor (Ogden Junction). Upon inspection of the existing structures, Benesch found the majority of the bridges to be in poor condition and in need of total replacement.

As part of our services on this contract, Benesch inspected and rated a majority of the bridges and then developed preliminary bridge construction costs. Design elements included mainline realignment and replacement of 18 UPRR bridges along the project corridor. The project also included roadway improvements where necessary to accommodate existing utility improvements, roadway restorations and improved bridge lighting.

Additionally, Benesch performed track design which included development of full project staging to accommodate a construction option where one track is built at a time. This involved careful coordination with Union Pacific track and operations. The bridges at Maypole Avenue and 15th Street will be removed and filled, eliminating future maintenance costs for the railroad and city at these crossings.