The multi-year, three-phase reconstruction of Harrison Avenue was an integral component of the City of Rockford metropolitan planning organization’s long-term plan to complete an internal beltline around the city to connect local business and residential communities.

IMEG was the lead civil consultant for all phases of the project, for reconstructing 0.25 miles of Harrison Avenue (IL 251, FAP-525) from 9th to 11th streets and 1-mile of Harrison Avenue from 11th to 20th Streets. This 1.5-mile project – the southern portion of the beltline – featured replacement of the existing four-lanes with a raised median and four new lanes with left- and right-turn lanes and new signals. The project also included a multi-cell culvert and concrete channel, decorative lighting, landscaped median, and a multi-use path.

For Phase I, IMEG prepared an amended combined design report, intersection design studies (IDS), preliminary plans, and right-of-way plats. The firm also performed a topographic survey of the entire corridor, including a hydraulic survey for the culvert (structure 101-1355).

For Phase II, the firm provided final traffic management plans, traffic signal plans, roadway plans, watermain plans, landscape plans, lighting plans, and erosion control plans. The firm also provided lighting design, final drainage study and hydraulic report, complex design of the multi-cell box culvert, utility coordination, ADA details, multi-use path specifications, final bid documents, land acquisition, and right-of-way plats. Resources required to complete these actions included PowerGeopak V8i Select Series 4, PondPack, HEC-RAS, AutoTURN and HCS7.

For Phase III, IMEG performed as Resident Engineer and provided all inspection and documentation of construction activities. Documentation followed IDOT and FHWA guidelines for federal aid funding and reported in IDOT’s ICORS program.

The context-sensitive design of the Harrison Avenue project enabled the roadway to meander the revised alignment through heavy residential and commercial districts, minimizing right-of-way acquisition and negative impacts to the remaining businesses. It connects Perryville Road to the east, Riverside Boulevard to the north, and Springfield Avenue to the west, completing the beltline envisioned by the city and serving residents and businesses alike.