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ISTHA
DuPage County, Illinois
Epstein was selected by the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority (Tollway) in early December of 2004 to provide professional engineering design services for implementation of Open Road Tolling (ORT) at Toll Plaza 51 (York Road) and Toll Plaza 37 (Joliet Road). The project schedule projected construction to begin in September of 2005 and the facility to be operational by September 2006. A notice to proceed was issued on December 17, 2004 and the design team was provided a conceptual design and program budget of $48M.
Due to the proximity of the new east bound plaza to residential development it was necessary for the Tollway to perform public outreach. Epstein together with the Tollway conducted a series of public information work shops with the surrounding residents. Three public meetings were held which resulted in a letter of commitment issued to the home owners association.
Extensive coordination with various public agencies and utilities was necessary including DuPage County Division of Transportation, The Village of Oak Brook, three fire departments; Oak Brook, Downers Grove and York Township, Flag Creek Sanitary District, Commonwealth Edison, several pipe transmission line companies and Illinois Department of Transportation.
Epstein worked with Commonwealth Edison to determine minimum clearances required to one of their transmission towers. Pipe line coordination occurred at Illinois 83 where approximately 5 major lines cross the Tollway to the north. Epstein worked with the pipe line companies to determine precise horizontal and vertical locations of their lines as well as to cap vent pipes during construction so that temporary pavements could be constructed over them.
Construction of the earthwork at the Meyers Road Plaza was started in mid July 2005 and included noise walls and retaining walls. Construction of the main plaza at Meyers Road and ramp plazas at IL Route 83 and Midwest Road began in October. Construction of the ORT solution for the west bound toll collections at York Road started in May of 2006. ORT at the east and west bound plazas and at Route 83 opened in September of 2006.
The ultra-aggressive schedule required the design team to show its flexibility and adaptability in the face of constantly changing client expectations, site conditions, scope requirements and project delivery methods.
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