Wednesday – October 5th, 2022
Peoria, IL – The Central Illinois Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers hosted its annual meeting and banquet highlighting outstanding civil engineering projects over the lunch hour on Thursday, September 22nd. TERRA Engineering, Ltd.’s Civil Engineering department was recognized for its recently completed Western Avenue Reconstruction Project from Adams Street to Lincoln Avenue, a unique and innovative project transforming it into a well-balanced, complete green transportation corridor. As design engineer, TERRA performed Phase I and Phase II engineering services for the project.
ASCE Annual meeting & Banquet
Recognized Western Avenue as the 2022 Small Project of the Year.
The City identified the corridor for reconstruction, working toward revitalization through Complete Streets in an area of low economic development. Western Avenue is adjacent to a mix of residential and commercial properties. A makeover of the public right-of-way was a major component of the planned economic redevelopment for Peoria’s south side, and the hope for the improvements to attract new businesses and foster local job growth.
The robust public involvement plan began early with its public meetings schedule to gain input from the community regarding redeveloping the right-of-way to provide a complete green street. Key message points included drainage considerations, bicyclist accommodations, adding green space and landscaping, and accessible pedestrian accommodations with separation from the roadway.
The dense urban environment and crowded right-of-way presented many design challenges as did the placement of utility poles and watermain. TERRA worked with the City to resolve these challenges using best engineering solutions.
An essential element of the design was the incorporation of green infrastructure. It was critical that the reconstructed corridor adhere to the City’s stormwater ordinance, which aims to reduce the City’s number of combined sewer overflow events.
The TERRA design team worked closely with a national paver supplier to better mitigate the vehicular traffic and bicycle rideability concerns. A specific permeable paver was selected based on shape, surface edge chamfer, and hydraulic performance. In addition, a similar non-permeable paver was selected for the intersections. This two-typed paver approach provides a visually consistent bicycle path throughout the corridor that accepts stormwater runoff while being durable for heavy turning traffic.
The project improvements converted the existing four-lane roadway section into a three-lane section with complete street elements. The road diet generates new space within the existing right-of-way for the new bicycle lanes on either side and policy sidewalks. Additional elements include permeable pavers, streetlights, greenspace, and retaining walls and fences along the new-and-improved right-of-way. The City’s green infrastructure goals are accommodated by a new drainage system consisting of permeable pavers, an underground granular storage system, dry wells and an overflow storm sewer.
Because of this $12.6 million local, state and federal economic development investment made for the construction of this major corridor revitalization, the community seems encouraged by the potential for more businesses and jobs to locate to the area.
For More Information
Lynn Kessen
Director of Marketing & Strategic Planning
Phone: 312.467.0123
Email: lkessen@terraengineering.com