Summer 2011 Highlighted Projects
Veterans Parkway and Morris Avenue Reconstruction Continues
Stark paving crews placing concrete on Greenwood Avenue
east. Concrete Superintendent Rob Ditchen (bottom left) checks pavement
alignment.
(August 22, 2011)
Construction of retaining wall at Veterans Parkway (pictured top and bottom). (May 2011)
One of the two remaining sections of the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) Veterans Parkway reconstruction thru Bloomington is the intersection with Morris Avenue. This five-spoke intersection has become a major source of congestion during commuting hours. With the convergence of two frontage roads, Greenwood and Springfield Avenues, along with the nearby heavy traffic of Six Points Road, the area has become a serious safety concern.
The project consists of relocating the Greenwood and Springfield frontage roads away from the Morris Avenue and Veterans Parkway intersection including new traffic signals at the Morris Avenue intersections with Veterans and Six Points Road. The massive overhaul also includes constructing a new signalized intersection at Greenwood Avenue and Veterans Parkway, reconstructing Six Points Road, Morris Avenue, Springfield Road, and Greenwood Avenue, finishing up with a complete overlay of Veterans Parkway. IDOT has divided the project into five stages. Stage 1 & 2 are scheduled for completion in 2011 with Stages 3, 4, & 5 to be completed in 2012.
IDOT awarded Stark this project in January 2011, when Chief Estimator Chris Tolson along with the Stark estimating department came through with a bid just under $10 million. Stark crews started the project in March 2011; however, all the major utilities had to be relocated before roadway construction could really commence full speed. Superintendent Terry Birsa is coordinating Stark crews, along with the electricity, natural gas, telephone, and cable TV crews in their efforts to move the project forward. Birsa describes "This is like having six jobs rolled into one with several activities happening with each job all at once. So far, for the most part, we have been able to keep everyone from stepping on each other while moving the project forward."
There are several interesting and complex aspects of the project according to Project Manager Don Colclasure. For example, explains Colclasure, one of the first main objectives of this project was to get the retaining wall on Veterans Parkway completed so crews can get into Stage 2, the center median of Veterans Parkway. Utilizing an EFCO forming system (pictured right), Stark crews were able to complete the walls in a timely fashion. Additionally, this entire area was originally designed several years ago using the Metric System of measurement. Back in the 1990's the Department of Transportation had planned that all projects be designed and built in the metric system by the year 2000; however, a Highway Bill passed in 1998 cancelled this plan due to the challenges it created to the industry. Colclasure adds "This is not a big hill for hillclimbers like Stark but it's like talking in a different language. Not only a challenge in the bidding process, we also had to purchase level rods, measuring tapes, convert our GPS systems and then teach our troops how to translate it."
Colclasure adds "We still have a lot of paving to complete this 2011 season. It will require the continued dedication of manpower and equipment resources we have put forth to date, along with thoughtfully coordinated teamwork if we are to achieve this highly aggressive goal."
Carle Foundation Hospital Heart and Vascular Institute Addition to Main Urbana Campus
Stark crews completing mass excavation of basement. (June 9, 2011)
Site work located at northwest corner of hospital.
(August 22, 2011)
Located on the northwest corner of the Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana, this addition will include a large basement with a nine-story building above ground, 300,000 sq. ft. of finished floor area for cardiovascular services and 136 single-patient rooms among other health care services.
Stark crews began work on this project in March 2011. Awarded by Pepper Construction, this $1.6 million package consists of site demolition, earthwork, basement excavation and backfilling of the foundation walls. The majority of Stark's work is to excavate and haul off site a massive 50,000 cubic yards of dirt for the basement and foundations. The mass excavation of the basement (pictured right) was completed in mid June. Stark crews are currently excavating for the spread and column footings. Stark's complete contract package will be performed in three phases, with 80% completed by Fall 2011 and the balance to be finished by 2013.
Project Manager Steve Anderson tells us "The nature of services provided at Carle Hospital Campus is very safety sensitive — Stark crews are doing a great job of maintaining good safety practices and adhering to the site specific safety plan. Anderson adds "I've been very impressed with superintendent Todd Baker and his ability to get things done in an efficient and timely manner considering the weather conditions we have had. I think we have exceeded both owner and general contractor expectations by providing the resources and equipment (350 excavator, GPS and sufficient amount of trucks) necessary to complete the mass excavation of the basement. I feel that the owner and general contractor have been very satisfied with Stark's performance on this project and would have absolutely no concerns in working with Stark on future projects." And in fact, Stark was very recently awarded the almost $1.4 million site concrete package for this project, which will allow Stark crews to continue working on site with Pepper Construction.
Superintendent Todd Baker tells us "The Carle HVI project has definitely had its challenges with all of the heavy rain along with the bad dirt we encountered since beginning the excavation — but keeping with proud Stark tradition we are plugging away and beating production. Superintendent Ken Funston helped out by getting us a closer dump site than what was originally planned, which has enabled us to cut back on trucking needs but still beat the quantity of cubic yards per hour originally estimated. Crews are also cutting the grade down in 5' intervals which has allowed us to use a smaller 350 excavator instead of the 450 excavator we originally thought would be necessary for the project."
Anderson says all in all this is turning out to be another successful Stark Excavating project. Baker and the crews have met all scheduled deadlines and completion dates even though we had an extremely wet spring. Area Manager Jason Wissmiller and Baker have collaborated on how to best manage the excavation due to the wet and unstable soil. Pepper Construction has had a very strict policy in regards to keeping the dust down in the job access areas of the project and keeping the city streets very clean. Baker and his crews have worked very hard to make sure the management team at Pepper Construction remains satisfied with Stark's performance on this project.
(Steve Anderson recently transferred to the Bloomington Stark office and will have project management responsibilities for Stark's Bloomington area projects. Project Manager Tim Pellegrini is located in Stark's Champaign office and has assumed project management responsibility for the Carle Foundation Hospital projects. )
Bass Pro Drive Provides Direct Access to New Bass Pro Shops in East Peoria
Bass Pro Drive looking south from intersection of Riverside Drive and Bass Pro Drive. New Bass Pro Shops located north of intersection. (July 2011)
Concrete Superintendent Mike Kruse and concrete crew placing final main line for Bass Pro Drive pavement. Operating Engineers Ryan Johnson on telebelt and Scott Bender on bidwell. (June 10, 2011)
Designed specifically to provide direct access into the new Bass Pro Shops located in East Peoria (scheduled to open in the fall), this new two lane street runs about one-third mile starting at Riverside Drive, going alongside the back of Walmart and under I-74 into Bass Pro Shops parking lot.
In the past, this area of East Peoria has been extremely congested with a large number of businesses, restaurants, Walmart, Embassy Suites, Lowes and other high traffic areas. The Bob Michael Bridge funnels people from downtown Peoria, an exit ramp from I-74 converges into this area, and Camp St funnels people from Rt.116 directly into this area. The City of East Peoria expects the re-design of the intersection linking River Road to Bass Pro Drive will significantly improve traffic flow in the area.
Stark crews began work on April 11, 2011 and completed the project just prior to the Fourth of July holiday weekend as planned. The approx. $1 million contract included pavement removal, earth excavation and grading, aggregate base placement, curb and gutter, 7.5" PCC jointed pavement, storm sewer, concrete sidewalks, topsoil placement, landscaping, and electrical work.
Area Manager Jeremy Livengood says the footprint of the project falls over what was once the CILCO Wallace Power Station, which was demolished in the early to mid 1990's. The site is mostly fly ash so keeping a stable sub grade has been a challenge for Stark crews. Crews encountered footings and foundations from the old power station that had to be removed in order to install the storm sewer system. The street runs behind Walmart through an area of Riverfront Park along the Illinois River. The park has been preserved except where the street lies.
According to Livengood, Stark worked closely with Walmart to change the staging at River Road and the entrance to Walmart's parking lot to expedite the construction schedule of this intersection. Stark approached the store manager with a plan that detoured traffic away from construction in the intersection which allowed Stark to completely close down the intersection to remove pavement, install storm sewer, and place curb and gutter and PCC pavement. Livengood says "Stark committed to having work in the intersection completed and opened to traffic in five weeks, and even though the weather held us up, we only missed our goal by a week. Traffic was flowing in and out of their parking lot unimpeded a month sooner than we were obligated to do so under our contract."
"Rain and mud have been a constant scheduling challenge but with everyone's efforts the crews were still able to finish on schedule."says Project Superintendent Travis Smith. "The project really is a big success. Despite the weather challenges we finished the project on time, which meant the park and street running thru the park were able to be open to the public for the Fourth of July celebrations. Bass Pro Drive goes thru Riverfront Park and that part of the street is a large area that gets blocked off for people to sit and watch fireworks. With the Bass Pro Drive project completed, this street was able to be open to the public for seating which was great for everyone."
Illinois Wesleyan University makes room for future growth
Sheean Library (pictured above) before and after demolition.
112 Beecher Street (pictured above) before and after demolition.
Stark crews began demolition of four building sites on the Illinois Wesleyan University campus in Bloomington with the majority of demolition work performed and completed in July and August. This project included demolition of three older homes, one at 112 Beecher St., one at 1508 Fell Ave. and the third at 306 Phoenix Ave. Demolition for the fourth and largest structure, 45-year old Sheean Library, began in late June with the removal of all lights and ballasts. Actual demolition of the Library started July 5th and was completed on August 22nd.
Sheean Library has been closed since the Ames Library was opened in 2002. The University's future design plans for this site include a new tech-savvy building that will include classrooms, resource and study areas, economics departments and faculty office space.
With a mutual commitment to sustainability, demolition Superintendent Greg Stark worked closely with IWU's Physical Plant Director, Bud Jorgenson, to ensure that most materials were salvaged and recycled including concrete, brick, fluorescent lights, etc. as they also coordinating closely to make sure tight project timetables were met. Greg Stark credits the entire crew, including Operating Engineers Rick Long and Pat Murphy, and Laborer Foremen Don Reis and Brian Brittin, for their dedication to the project's success. Professional Engineer, Garry Moore, coordinated and monitored Stark's demolition plan to ensure engineering integrity throughout the process.
Several interesting construction pictures are currently posted on the University's website at www.iwu.edu.
Tonica crews building bridges in 2011
Forming on the south abutment, drilling pier 2 caissons
and backfilling the north abutment
Route 23
Bridge in Cornell
Preparing to drive
piling for Stage 1
Route 89 in Lamoille
Drive
piling at west abutment and
backfilling encasements on east abutment
County Highway 33 in LaSalle County
Pouring
Stage 1 pier stem
Route 89 in Lamoille
Setting
110' long concrete girders weighing 86,000 lbs.
using 300 ton crane and 110 ton hydro crane
County Highway 33 in LaSalle County