Awards

Central Avenue

Village of Wilmette

BLA provided Phase III engineering services on the $9.5 million project through the heart of downtown Wilmette directly in front of Village Hall and in the primary central business district.  The project included roadway reconstruction, replacement of a 100-year-old watermain system, modernized traffic signals, sidewalk, ADA ramps, raised intersections, downtown streetscaping, decorative lighting, wayfinding signage, seat walls and plantings.  An extensive public outreach campaign kept businesses and residents informed.  The enhanced downtown area draws patrons to shop, dine and relax in the outdoor amenities.

Randall Road Corridor [Segment 1]

McHenry County Division of Transportation

BLA and TranSystems provided design engineering services to widen and reconstruct Randall Road in Algonquin, Lake in the Hills and Crystal Lake.  The first segment, a $60 million, 2.5-mile improvement from Harnish Drive to Polaris Drive included reevaluation of the Phase I intersection concept of a Continuous Flow Intersection (CFI) at Algonquin and Randall Roads.  A public outreach campaign reintroduced the project to 300+ area businesses.  A conventional intersection replaced the CFI with triple left turn lanes along Algonquin Road, four thru lanes along Randall Road and dedicated auxiliary right turn lanes at all approaches.  Design also included a pedestrian tunnel, several retaining walls and significant utility relocation efforts including municipal watermains, sanitary sewers and a host of duct packages from telecommunication providers.

Randall Road at Weld Road/US 20

Kane County Division of Transportation

The Randall Road at Weld Road/US 20 project eliminated the east Weld Road at Randall Road connection to provide a new continuous flow ramp from northbound Randall Road to eastbound US 20.  New signals and striping provide additional capacity for traffic along Randall Road and a safer driving experience for all motorists.  BLA provided Phase III engineering services on behalf of the Kane County DOT for this project.

Bethel Lane

Village of Schaumburg

​The Bethel Lane project improved traffic and pedestrian safety in a school zone.  The improvement included roadway relocation, a new signalized intersection at Bethel Lane and Roselle Road and the construction of a new parking lot with the installation of an underground stormwater detention facility for Bethel Ministries.  ​The project provided improved traffic management for pedestrians, motorists and bicyclists.

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Washington Street

Lake County Division of Transportation

For 10 years, BLA was involved in various sections and phases (Phase I preliminary, Phase II design, Phase III construction) of the Washington Street corridor projects.  Phase I and II involvement included roadway widening, design of a CN Railroad grade separation, public involvement and value engineering.  Phase III included widening, reconstruction, retaining walls, watermain, a lift station and public information.

River Road at Roberts Road

Lake County Division of Transportation

​The project converted a signalized T-intersection into a multi-lane roundabout — the first multi-lane roundabout in Lake County.  ​The project faced significant environmental and constructability challenges ranging from ADID Wetland impacts to extremely poor soils where organic material extended 50 feet below grade and required experimental technologies never before used in Illinois.

Rakow Road

McHenry County Division of Transportation

Rakow Road is one of the County’s most critical corridors.  BLA widened and reconstructed 3.1 miles through Crystal Lake and Lake in the Hills.  The project also included a realignment, a culvert and a pedestrian/bike overpass.  BLA led MCDOT’s largest ever public information campaign to keep residents and businesses informed.

Stearns Road Corridor

Kane County Division of Transportation

BLA’s portion consisted of 2.2 miles of roadway reconstruction and the intersection realignments of Stearns Road, IL 25 and Dunham Road.  The roads were widened and reconstructed from two lanes into four lanes with medians and dedicated turn lanes.  The project also included the construction of a new structure for IL 25 over Brewster Creek.

Jefferson Avenue Bridge

City of Naperville

The original three-span deck beam bridge, built in 1962, had reached its life span.  The City of Naperville selected BLA to perform complete design services for the replacement of the Jefferson Avenue Bridge, the adjacent roadway and a bike path across the DuPage River.  Improvements to Naperville’s Riverwalk and Firemen’s Memorial Park were also included in the project.

Schelter Road

Village of Lincolnshire

The Village of Lincolnshire reconstructed a 4,000-foot stretch of industrial roadway while maintaining 24/7 access to critical facilities residing within the project limits.  Constant communication set this project apart.

108th Avenue

Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways

One mile of 108th Avenue was completely reconstructed moving the road east 12 feet.  Hills were cut and low areas were filled up to five feet to provide a better sight plane from side streets and driveways on the west side of 108th Avenue entering and exiting the road as well as roadway travel itself.

Graf Road Bridge

McHenry County Division of Transportation

This project involved the removal and replacement of a deteriorated bridge carrying Graf Road over Little Beaver Creek.  BLA prepared various alternatives for replacement including a three-sided precast concrete structure.  The precast structure not only proved to be more economical than a conventional bridge, but it also allowed construction to be completed ahead of schedule.  The new bridge provides increased lane widths and shoulders so that motorists no longer need to stop and wait for farm equipment to pass over the bridge.

US 20

Village of Bloomingdale

This award is granted to one consulting engineering firm within the State of Illinois that is able to demonstrate services beyond what is considered as normal practice.  The design consisted of roadway reconstruction, intersection improvements, signals, lighting, drainage, grading, streetscape design, traffic control plans and utility relocation.  The plan required detailed and complex staging plans because of the extensive centerline realignment and consideration for maintaining all existing traffic lanes and accessibility to all adjacent businesses.  The project went through Old Town Bloomingdale and was coordinated with the Village staff.