Chicago Department of Transportation

Wacker Drive/Congress Interchange

Chicago, IL

The intersection of Wacker Drive and the Congress Parkway Interchange is one of the busiest in the City of Chicago. The $75 million reconstruction project to improve the interchange included construction of new entrance and exit ramps to the I-290 expressway, reconstruction of the Congress Parkway viaduct, a new pump house and ventilation system, and an extensive maintenance of traffic plan that was carefully coordinated with the community.

Benesch oversaw the demolition of the existing interchange roadways and tunnels, the rehabilitation of the existing foundation, deck and beam replacement, widening of the Congress Parkway fixed spans, new tunnels, interchange lighting, new tunnel ventilation, and modifications to existing traffic signals. Work also included various reconstruction, widening and resurfacing of the surrounding roadways and the reconstruction of an existing park.

Project highlights

  • Extensive earth retention systems associated with construction of ramp tunnels
  • Significant post tensioning work on ramp tunnels
  • Advanced ventilation and fire suppression systems in ramp tunnels