Residency on the McClugage Bridge
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.
