Rochelle Main Street widened to improve truck route safety

The City of Rochelle hired Fehr Graham to help secure Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) Economic Development Program (EDP) funds to repave South Main Street. The street has become a major industrial route for Rochelle's growing economy. The increase in jobs created by the local industries secured additional funding to complete this project.

We designed the concrete curb and gutter, storm sewer and asphalt overlay. Our team developed a plan to widen Main Street to make sure trucks could safely use the road. We redesigned intersections at Steam Plant and Steward roads with turn lanes to better accommodate the large volume of truck traffic. We developed plans for traffic signals at the Steward Road intersection, replacing the four-way stop. The improvements brought this road up to the City's standards for industrial truck routes and alleviated congestion during the peak traffic times. We also secured additional right of way to widen the road, planned the installation for the storm sewer and provided drainage channels to improve stormwater flows.

Before the designs could be finished, Fehr Graham completed Intersection Design Studies at Steam Plant and Steward roads. We determined where right of way was needed and identified the additional land required for the project. Fehr Graham submitted the Environmental Survey Request through IDOT District 2 to eliminate the possibility of environmental issues delaying the project. The project was awarded in late 2017. The designs were completed in 2019, and construction was completed in 2020.

AT A GLANCE
» Completed topographic surveys.
» Prepared right of way and easements.
» Completed preliminary and final engineering.
» Designed traffic signals.
» Obtained IDOT revisions and approvals.
» Coordinated with IDOT.
» Prepared contract documents and specifications.
» Assisted with bidding and letting.
» Designed drainage and storm sewer.
» Observed construction.