Project Overview
Joliet, Illinois, is the end of the line for two routes of Chicago’s commuter train system. To reduce passenger/freight train conflicts, the downtown station was upgraded into a multi-modal regional transportation center.
One important element was to replace a 104-year-old vehicle and pedestrian underpass with a pedestrian-only tunnel from parking areas to the station without interfering with daily commuter traffic.
Precast Solution
Twelve 8-ft-long ARCHCAST® structures were used to create a 96 ft pedestrian tunnel. These were pulled under the existing passageway with Hillman rollers and a winch, guided by C-shaped channels built on the concrete footing.
Precast head and wing walls were installed at the ends. A formliner was used to give the surfaces a stone wall look. After curing, these were stained a warm tone. Controlled low strength fill (500 PSI), was pumped between the existing abutment walls and the new arch walls. Finally, the existing bridge was torn out and filled with ballast and the tracks were reinstalled. |