2016 Featured Projects

Spotlight View of a few of Stark’s Projects

County Highway 9 Backbone Road over Bureau Creek.

This project began in April 2016 after the Bureau County Highway Department identified the need to replace an aging and outdated structure with a wider and longer span bridge. The design engineering firm for the project, Willett Hoffmann and Associates, commented that they believe it is the longest single span girder bridge (180 feet) in Illinois. Supporting and connecting the three girders that make up each of the five beam lines was a significant project challenge. Stark used the existing pier pile for temporary support and used a combination of a 300T hydraulic truck crane and a 100T crawler for the erection. Project Superintendents: Russ Shevokas, Robert H. Claggett, Doug McClister, Joe Stopa (Estimator), and Steve Mueller (Project Manager)

Sheridan Road – Peoria

Beginning in early 2016, Stark, in conjunction with IDOT and the City of Peoria, began work on the approximately 1.9 million dollar Sheridan Road project. This project consisted of removing the existing single span cast-in-place bridge and construction and replacement with a 3-sided pre-cast concrete bridge on a cast-in-place foundation. The project included reconstruction of the approach roadway and improvements to curb and gutter and storm sewer. One project challenge was water management of the high volume drainage channel. The bridge is over a tributary that runs into Dry Run Creek and often caused flooding during the removal and replacement of the bridge. There were (26) 30′ wide by 11′ tall pre-cast arches that weighed over 48,000 pounds. The remaining roadwork is scheduled for completion by year end of 2016. Project Superintendents: Kevin Pribble, Mark Jay, Jason Schupp, Mike Westart, Lou Huff and Nate Miller (Estimator/Project Manager)

ISU Construction Management Students visit Raab Road Project

In September, Construction Management students from Illinois State University visited the Raab Road project. Josh Pistorius explained the various stages of this project from start to finish and provided detail on some of the project obstacles and strategies the crews developed to overcome and meet project expectations. The students gained valuable experience by being able to directly observe and ask questions from the team.

Raab Road Pavement Reconstruction

Stark partnered with IDOT on the approximately 2.1 million dollar renovation. IDOT conducted a study and determined that the average daily traffic on Raab road was at 1,700 in 2015. However, the estimated average daily traffic was projected to increase to 8,240 by year 2036. This increase due to traffic to and from Normal Community High School, Mercy Creek Church, and other new residential development in the area made it crucial to develop this road for the betterment of the community and its economic growth and development. The work consisted of constructing two lanes of Portland cement concrete pavement, combination curb and gutter, driveways, sidewalks, precast box culvert, storm sewers, manholes, inlets, culverts, and subgrade improvements. The project extends from the east entrance of Normal Community High School to west of Towanda Barnes Road. Stark started the storm sewer installation at the Raab Road project during the Normal Community High School spring break. This allowed us to get a head start while school was closed. Work resumed on this project on May 16th with the road being closed for construction on May 24th. Work completed to date includes; water main casing, precast box culverts, storm sewer installation, manholes, inlets, excavation, subgrade improvements and undercuts, curb and gutter, entrances and approach pours. Work remaining includes raised reflectors, final grading, seeding and mulching. This project required in-depth coordination of not just the road closure but also excavation near power poles, gas line relocation, removal and relocation of mail boxes, and fiber optics relocation. Stark evaluated work that could be completed prior to the road closure, such as steel casing pipe, potholes and detour sign installation.

There was not a single opportunity missed to perform work onsite in order to maintain a tight schedule. Unfortunately, early into the project, it was discovered that the sandy loam material was not suitable for lime modification. In addition, the existing ground was close to the water table which required installation of additional drainage. The final treatment plan consisted of: adding 3000 LF of under-drains, raising the road 13″ in a 1300 LF section, installing 6″ of RR1, a layer of TX190 geogrid, 11″ of RR1, a layer of TX160 geogrid, and then capping with 14″ of CA6 pug. The raising of the road meant that this job went from an export job to an import job, requiring 1400 CY of topsoil. This unforeseen remediation work significantly increased the project scope of work. Expertise in estimating and field operations allowed Stark to determine and deliver the most efficient and cost effective plan. Once we were compete with the subgrade remediation, we were able to move forward aggressively with the subsequent work. The teams proactive approach helped minimize disruptions. In spite of an extremely difficult schedule and unforeseen complications, the success of this project was made possible by the collaboration, hard work and outstanding effort of each team member. The revised road opening date is scheduled for November 9th with the seeding and final punch list items to be completed by May 20, 2017. Superintendents: Josh Pistorius, Tony Baker, Greg Gilmore, Kevin Pribble, Josh Martin (Estimator) and Parthiv Brahmbhatt (Project Manager)

Schnucks Market and Retail Buildings – Peoria

Stark began construction in April 2016 on the approximately 70,000 SF Schnucks market building and the approximately 5,000 SF attached retail building located at Knoxville Crossing in Peoria. This project included grade beam foundations for precast wall supports, interior column pads for steel column support, and spread footings and formed cast-in-place walls for dock, ramp and exterior cooler area. The slab on grade made an interesting challenge with detailed specifications, access, phasing, placement, finishing, and mix design for final exposed polished finish. All slab pours have gone as scheduled and we met all tolerances and specifications. Project Superintendents: Matt Walk, Sean Funk, Chris Thomas, Lou Huff Adam Hall, and Matt Walk (Estimator/Project Manager)

First Street and Fourth Street Completion “Beats the Heat” – Champaign

Stark was awarded the combined $2.95 million roadway construction projects in the spring of 2016. These projects had to be completed prior to the end of summer when University of Illinois students returned to campus. Crews overcame difficult challenges related to rain, heat, project phasing and pedestrian control to meet the deadline. The First Street project bisected the handicap accessibility route between student dormitories and specialized facilities, so maintaining ADA compliance throughout the project was paramount. Per project Superintendent Todd Baker, “It was difficult to keep routes open while still staying productive on this project, but we put in temporary concrete ramps at the intersections and wood-built ramps at curbs that we could move around the project to keep sidewalks clear for pedestrians”. The First Street project was unique in that we were also completing the exterior work on the adjacent Ikenberry Commons Residence Hall that required access through First Street to keep on target to meet deadlines.

On Fourth Street, the project was separated into two stages to keep access into the State Farm Center which is undergoing the final season of massive renovations. This project, combined with the concrete work Stark performed on the State Farm Center last year and the Fourth Street South project Stark also constructed, completes the corridor of new infrastructure and access to the State Farm Center and the University of Illinois Research Park from the South. Both projects were delayed significantly due to the above average rain received this summer. In order to meet project deadlines, concrete pours had to be started in the very early mornings due to temperature concerns that would have prevented pouring. However, Stark met deadlines to the satisfaction of the clients at City of Champaign and University of Illinois. Stark team members have a tremendous amount of pride for their work as they support new football coach Lovie Smith and his team as they march the “Illini Walk” down our newly reconstructed street. Project Superintendents: Todd Baker, Mark Aberle, Ben Killian (concrete superintendent), Adam Weaver (concrete superintendent), and Brad Jameson (Estimator/Project Manager)