Improving a section of vulnerable shoreline along Lake Michigan
With over 30 miles (48 kilometres) of Lake Michigan shoreline, the City of Chicago is vulnerable to storm damage from record-high lake levels. Protective features such as revetments, breakwaters, beaches, and harbors that are aging and in various states of disrepair leave vital city infrastructure at risk—notably US Highway 41 and a critical water treatment facility.
The City engaged us to identify enhancement opportunities, priorities, and conceptual designs for potential solutions including offshore islands and breakwaters, new beaches, and recreational piers as well as expanded recreational harbor facilities. Replacing the original timber-crib and stone stepstone revetments with modern steel sheet pile and concrete systems will provide critical shore protection while maintaining safe public access to the water. In partnership with the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), the City undertook the design and construction of eight miles (13 kilometres) of priority shoreline.
We also provided independent technical review of USACE-designed components to establish consistency of design standards and practice with the Chicago’s Shoreline Protection Commission Plan.
At a Glance
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- Chicago DOT
Tom Andrews, Vice President, Energy
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