Balmoral Avenue Extension, Stage 1

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The project consisted of the extension of Balmoral Avenue, on new alignment, from its existing terminus at I-294 over the Wisconsin Central Railroad to Mannheim Road.  Specifically, Balmoral Avenue was extended on structure over the Wisconsin Central Railroad to City of Chicago Department of Aviation property just east of Mannheim Road, a distance of 1600 feet, where it was terminated.  Future stages of the Balmoral Avenue project will further extend Balmoral Avenue to Bessie Coleman Drive within O’Hare International Airport.  As part of the Stage I improvements, a north-south access road was constructed on new alignment, a distance of 1100 feet, from the Stage I terminus of Balmoral Avenue to new ramps connecting to and from northbound Mannheim Road.  Both Balmoral Avenue and the north-south access road are five lane sections.  The project also included the reconstruction of the existing ramp from northbound Mannheim Road to eastbound I-190 and the resurfacing and superelevation correction of Mannheim Road from Lawrence Avenue to I-190, a distance of approximately 5000 feet.  The geometry for the proposed improvements was reviewed and approved by IDOT-District 1, Bureau of Programming, the Central Office Bureau of Design and Environment and the City of Chicago, Department of Aviation.  The geometry also included considerations for long-term improvements to I-190 and Terminal 6 at O’Hare International Airport.  The project also included roadway lighting, detention facilities, landscaped medians and precast median planters. 

SCOPE OF SERVICES

CBBEL prepared a Project Development Report and documented the project in accordance with Environmental Class of Action Determination (ECAD) procedures to ultimately gain Categorical Exclusion concurrence.  Categorical Exclusion concurrence was granted in September 1999 and Design Approval was granted in March 2000.  The environmental involvement included wetland impacts, air quality analysis, water quality analysis and minor social economic issues.  Other Phase I services included the preparation of a Location Drainage Study, public involvement, inter-agency coordination, and preparation of easements and other agreements.  CBBEL also prepared plans, specifications and estimates for Stage I of the Balmoral Avenue improvement.  The plans were approved by IDOT and the City of Chicago, Department of Aviation.