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JWI serves as the Prime Consultant on the Illinois Department of Transportation‘s Reconstruction along U.S. Route 20 from Logeman Road to Rush Street in Stockton, IL. Our services included on-site layout, inspection & testing, project documentation, and contract administration.
Project Scope
Construction kicked off in August of 2025 with rock blasting and earth excavation, along with initial bridge foundation work.
Our team led various key improvements under this contract, including horizontal and vertical realignments, full-depth pavement reconstruction, and widening of the roadway cross-section to incorporate left-turn lanes, a dedicated truck climbing lane, and paved shoulders throughout the corridor.
As the project progresses, a new bridge will be constructed on a revised alignment to carry U.S. 20 over Rush Creek, followed by the removal of the existing structure. This project also includes substantial drainage improvements, such as cross-culvert replacements, installation of drop box structures, and overall site regrading to enhance performance and resilience.
Phases of Work
2025 Construction Season: Our work was focused on full pavement reconstruction at both the eastern and western ends of the corridor, including horizontal and vertical realignments. This phase also included the construction of a new three-span bridge over Rush Creek and the replacement of multiple culverts to improve drainage.
2026–2027 Construction Seasons: Construction will shift to the approximately two-mile middle segment. While the horizontal alignment will largely remain unchanged, vertical profile improvements will enhance roadway safety and performance. Pavement replacement will be completed in approximately 1,000-foot segments, one lane at a time, to maintain traffic flow.
Project Challenges & Solutions
This project has required thoughtful coordination and innovative approaches to address several construction and logistical challenges:
- Rock Excavation and Material Utilization: Significant rock excavation was required early in construction. To improve efficiency and sustainability, the contractor processed the excavated rock on-site for use as aggregate subbase, reducing material hauling and overall project costs.
- Culvert Replacement and Road Closure: Due to constructability constraints, replacing multiple culverts could not be completed efficiently under traffic. IDOT implemented a full road closure for 12 days, allowing crews to install 11 new culverts and remove 10 existing structures safely and efficiently within a controlled timeframe.
- Maintaining Traffic During Construction: Temporary traffic signals are used at transition points between newly constructed pavement and existing roadway to maintain safe traffic flow during the current phase. In future phases, a staged approach will be used, reconstructing the roadway in approximately 1,000-foot segments and maintaining one lane of traffic at a time to minimize disruption.
- Pavement Design and Durability: The project utilizes a full-depth asphalt pavement design, providing a durable and long-lasting solution capable of supporting heavy traffic volumes while simplifying long-term maintenance.
Project Team
- Pat Hartman, Senior Engineering Technician: Pat collaborates closely with IDOT’s Resident Engineer, Nick Haas, to calculate contract quantities and oversee installation of culvert systems, including drop box structures. He is also responsible for traffic control and erosion control reporting.
- Chris Aude, Project Director / Assistant Resident Engineer: Chris supports project management, construction inspection, contract quantity tracking, and material inspection, helping ensure quality delivery and adherence to project specifications.
Teaming Partners
We want to extend a big thank you to both of our talented subs TERRA Engineering, Ltd. and R.M. Chin & Associates, Inc. for all of the hard work and collaboration throughout each phase to ensure we deliver this project to the highest standard!