CME.11 – Structural Redesign of a Pedestrian Bridge

• Alisher Dardanbayev
• Michael Dueaas
• Rafael Garcia
• Clayton Insley
• Nick Konstantos
• Michael Seweryn

Multiple suburbs of the Chicagoland area have been working together to expand a pedestrian nature trail along the Des Plaines River as it runs south through their respective communities. The Des Plaines River Trail’s current passage under Lawrence Avenue is often submerged or covered in mud, making it an impractical option for pedestrians. Due to these challenges facing users of the trail, an elevated pedestrian bridge has been proposed to make the trail safer and more accessible for both pedestrians and cyclists as they cross Lawrence Avenue. The improved crossing will increase value to this portion of the trail is affecting locals at the individual and community levels. Individuals benefit from increased safety and accessibility, increasing usage of the trail by both existing and new users. The increased use will improve community engagement, public health, and promote local tourism as the trail and natural spaces continue to serve as a needed public service.

The project encapsulates the entire design phase of the bridge, including determination of the bridge’s location and geometry, material properties for the substructure and superstructure, the size and capacity of the necessary structural components, and a cost analysis comparing the economic impact of the design by Christopher B. Burke Engineering, LCC to that of the design produced by the Senior Design Team. Completing the design of the pedestrian bridge at Lawrence Avenue is a vital step towards improving the accessibility and safety of the Des Plaines River Trail.