January 2024 – Maurer-Stutz

February marks the annual celebration of National Engineers Week, with E-Week observed from February 18-24th this year. The theme for E-Week 2024, “Welcome to the Future,” aims to celebrate contemporary achievements while paving the way for a brighter and more diverse future in engineering.

At the forefront of innovation, engineering plays a crucial role in designing solutions that shape the world of tomorrow. Engineers have been instrumental in developing the internet, smartphones, and contributing to space exploration and renewable energy solutions. Their dedication and expertise drive progress, enhancing our lives by making them more efficient, comfortable, and connected. Engineering teams, through their creativity, continue to address global challenges, drive technological advancements, and positively impact society’s future. Maurer-Stutz, Inc. plans to celebrate Engineering Week in various ways this year!

To kick things off, MSI will be participating in the Annual Peoria Riverfront Museum celebration for Engineering Week on February 18th. The Museum will be buzzing with engineering-related activities, complemented by free admission to the Caterpillar Museum next door. MSI employees will play a pivotal role in organizing and hosting the Annual ASCE Index Card Bridge Contest, while various engineering firms, related groups, and science societies engage with visitors by hosting interactive activities throughout the museum.

This year, MSI plans to host an erosion table activity, allowing participants to delve into the effects of erosion and gain insights into water movement through the soil.

Moreover, MSI plans to hold a company lunch to celebrate Engineering Week on February 21st. The lunch will feature a presentation by one of our interns, Logan, from Bradley University. Logan, along with a classmate, is part of the ASCE Concrete Canoe Team at Bradley, a team proudly sponsored by MSI. During the lunch celebration, Logan and his co-captain plan to share details about their design, methodology, and experiences thus far in the competition.

MSI looks forward to a week filled with enjoyable activities, contributing to the celebration of National Engineers Week!

If you’ve recently crossed the McClugage Bridge, you’ve likely marveled at the sight of towering cranes and dedicated construction crews tirelessly working on the ambitious project. What may come as a surprise is the pivotal role played by Maurer-Stutz in this construction feat.

Our excitement stems from being a crucial part of the team providing construction engineering services to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) for the new eastbound span of the McClugage Bridge. This vital artery carries US Route 150 over the Illinois River in the metropolitan Peoria area. Leading the charge is a collaborative effort between Michael Baker International and HR Green, spearheading the creation of a new tied-arch bridge boasting three through lanes, two full-width shoulder lanes, and a connected 14’ multi-use path, complete with a south-facing belvedere. The dedicated staff at Maurer-Stutz takes on the responsibility of conducting quality assurance checks, ensuring not only the integrity of the new river bridge elements but also overseeing all approach work and widening along eastbound US Route 150 on both the eastern and western sides of the river crossing.

After more than seven decades of serving the Peoria Metro Area, the aging existing structure of the McClugage Bridge, accommodating over 20,000 eastbound trips daily, prompted the Illinois Department of Transportation, in collaboration with the Federal Highway Administration, to embark on a comprehensive study. This study, which included extensive public input, led to the decision to replace the McClugage Bridge. With the design phase now completed, construction on the new structure commenced in Spring 2019. The upcoming bridge is poised to enhance capacity, elevate safety standards, reduce travel times, and offer additional multimodal access with accommodations for biking and pedestrians. Ultimately, the new McClugage Bridge promises an improved and smoother traveling experience for everyone who relies on this essential bridge.

Scott Perry, a Professional Licensed Surveyor and Engineering Intern at Maurer-Stutz, Inc., has dedicated several months to the ongoing McClugage Bridge reconstruction project. Thanks to the high caliber of his work and his unwavering work ethic, Scott’s tenure on the bridge project has been extended.

In his role as the Quality Assurance Surveyor, Scott shoulders a range of responsibilities. This includes ensuring proper soil settlement rates, overseeing Arch Erection activities for precise alignment, and surveying the construction of new bridge piers. Moreover, Scott has been instrumental in employing advanced technologies such as LiDAR and Aerial Photogrammetric techniques for Earthwork Volume Calculations, as well as conducting high-accuracy Control Leveling.

Engineering the Future: Maurer-Stutz, Inc.’s Celebrations for National Engineers Week 2024

Residency on the McClugage Bridge