Wacker Drive & Congress Parkway Interchange

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 involved constructing new entrance and exit ramps to the I-290 expressway, reconstructing the Congress Parkway viaduct, installing a new pump house and ventilation system, and the 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, advanced tunnel ventilation and fire suppression systems in ramp tunnels, and modifications to existing traffic signals. Work also included the reconstruction, widening and resurfacing of the surrounding roadways and the reconstruction of an existing park.

This project also required major drainage, storm and sanitary sewer reconstruction, including a new Illinois Department of Transportation pump station to manage stormwater runoff below the level of the Chicago River. The Chicago Transit Authority power feed to the Blue Line Subway was also rerouted through the site.