Power is open to new challenges—no matter the type of project or location. Working alongside Stalworth Underground, the Shoreline Improvements project at Northwestern University is a multi-phase effort designed to address erosion problems along the beachfront and upgrade the university’s existing support infrastructure. This includes a 130-foot extension to an existing jetty structure to protect the beach, the installation of temporary cofferdams and earth retention systems for replacing underground storm sewers that discharge directly into Lake Michigan, and the removal and replacement of a pedestrian bridge upgraded to support vehicle traffic, to name just a few of the enhancements being made.
The upgraded Pedestrian Bridge, a key feature of this project, will enhance access from the city of Evanston to Northwestern University’s shoreline via a lakefront bike and pedestrian path. Once renovated, this bridge will able allow emergency vehicle traffic to their new temporary stadium that is required before the 2025 football season. In order for the new bridge to support the vehicle weight, we are installing steel beam ‘H piles’ as deep foundations where the existing bridge abutments were located. These steel beams are driven over 70” feet into place using a hydraulic hammer mounted on a track crane. After the piles and concrete abutments are installed, structural steel beams and precast panels will be placed across the opening to create a bridge, and topped off with concrete to create fresh path the university’s shoreline and temporary football stadium.
