Jane-Byrne "Circle" Interchange (I-90/94 and I-290/Congress Parkway)

Chicago, IL · 2013–2022

Client: AECOM, TranSystems
Owner: Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT)
Location: Chicago, IL
Year: 2013–2022

Jane-Byrne "Circle" Interchange (I-90/94 and I-290/Congress Parkway) — Chicago, IL

Project Overview

Description

The Jane Byrne (formerly Circle) Interchange functions as the hub of the Chicago Expressway system linking the Kennedy, Dan Ryan, and Eisenhower Expressways in downtown Chicago and accommodating over 400,000 vehicles per day. The original 1958 design did not anticipate this level of traffic and was rated one of the most congested highway freight bottlenecks in the nation based on a study completed by the American Transportation Research Institute and FHWA. HBM played a crucial role as a sub-consultant to AECOM & TranSystems in the ambitious Jane-Byrne Interchange reconstruction project, located at the intersection of I-90/94 and I-290 Congress Parkway in Illinois. This multi-year endeavor encompassed a variety of Phase 2 construction contracts (PS&E) aimed at overhauling the Jane Byrne Interchange, a controlled access roadway that stretches from Roosevelt Road in the south to Lake Street in the north, covering I-90/94 and I-290/Congress Parkway for a total length of 2.1 miles. The project area was densely urbanized, posing unique challenges. HBM's involvement extended to overseeing and designing the rehabilitation of retaining walls and developing plans for four key bridges within the project: two crossroads bridges, one interstate-to-interstate ramp, and one bypass ramp. HBM also played a pivotal role in designing new or evaluating existing overhead sign trusses and overhead bridge-mounted signage, holding the Designer of Record responsibility for these elements. This project demanded extensive coordination and integration with AECOM and other sub-consultants, transcending the typical Designer of Record role. HBM actively participated in numerous design meetings, addressing roadway and structural aspects and constructability issues. The scope of work included aspects like safety considerations (guardrail, parapets, temporary barrier walls), profile grade lines, alignment requirements, drainage scuppers, drainage system design, existing and proposed utilities, and staged construction. Additionally, HBM's scope of work included a Painting contract for the I-290/Congress Parkway structure, contributing to the comprehensive renovation of this critical transportation hub.

HBM's Scope

Scope of Work

Five bridges: Morgan St. Bridge over I-290/CTA, Taylor Street Bridge over I-90/94, Taylor Street ramp to I-90/94 NB, EN Ramp (Eisenhower to Kennedy), and SB I-90/94 Taylor St. Bypass Ramp
Eleven retaining walls (rehabilitation)
30+ overhead sign trusses and bridge-mounted signage (Designer of Record)
Roadway and drainage assistance — including profile grade lines, alignment requirements, drainage scuppers, drainage system design, existing and proposed utilities, and staged construction
Safety considerations — guardrail, parapets, temporary barrier walls
Painting contract for the I-290/Congress Parkway structure
Numerous design meetings addressing structural, roadway, and constructability issues
Project total length 2.1 miles; controlled-access roadway from Roosevelt Road (south) to Lake Street (north)
Overall project context: redesign/rehabilitation of 23 cross-road bridges carrying local roads over I-90/94 and I-290, plus numerous ramp bridges; the CTA Blue Line runs in the median of I-290 and goes underground just west of the interchange

Highlights

Project Highlights

Optimized structure depth and roadway profile for the I-290 EB to I-90/94 NB interchange ramp while maintaining minimum vertical clearance and accommodating the existing NB-to-WB Flyover Ramp
Coordinated SB Taylor Street Bypass Ramp clearance over I-290 WB roadway, existing CTA tracks, and the previously constructed NW Flyover Ramp
Maintained daily traffic operations across the busiest interchange in Illinois throughout construction

Recognition