PROJECT DESCRIPTION

As prime consultant, Delta provided electrical, civil, and ITS engineering services. The Central Tri-State Tollway, I-294 from 95th Street to Balmoral Avenue, is the most heavily traveled segment in the 292-mile Illinois Tollway system.

As part of a large-scale project to renovate the corridor, Delta designed advance relocation of the existing intelligent transportation systems (ITS) and fiber-optic cable (FOC) system from 95th Street to Lake Street/North Avenue (MP 17.8 – MP 33.5). Barrier warrant analysis was necessary for all temporary and relocated ITS-related road side obstacles. Design reconfigured existing, and provided new, ITS assets during construction phase. It was integral to avoid conflict between the fiber-optic cable system and construction on the corridor.

Scope of work included removal and relocation of the following:

• Closed-circuit television (CCTV)
• Traffic sensors
• Road weather dynamic information systems (RWIS)
• Portable, changeable message signs (PCMS)
• Ramp queue detection
• Fiber-optic cable system, handholes, and tie-in locations
• Third-party connections
• Toll facility connections
• Bluetooth

In addition to relocating existing devices, 35 new Bluetooth devices were implemented into the renovation design. Powered by solar panels and operating through cellular use, they provide vital traffic data information to Tollway. Fiber-optic relocation involved 450,000 feet of single mode, fiber optic cable installation for Tollway IT, ITS, and third-party fiber communications. The relocation also came with an upgrade; fiber-optic cable thread counts range from 24 fibers to 864 fibers. The upgradation necessitated the placement of 450 wood poles to securely maintain both fiber optic and electrical cables.

Delta managed contract coordination with: DCM monthly meetings, regular progress meetings with roadway contract DSE’s, book meetings, and owner’s representatives’ meetings.