The Chicago Transit Authority is currently constructing its largest capital investment project to date, Phase One of their Red & Purple Modernization (RPM) program! The two main components of this first phase are the Red-Purple Bypass (RPB) and the Lawrence to Bryn Mawr Modernization (LBMM).

Completed in two Stages, LBMM construction features a precast segmental bridge superstructure to carry new Red & Purple line tracks. Utility Concrete Products was selected by the project general contractor, Walsh-Fluor Design Build Team, to fabricate and deliver over 1,500 precast segments to the project site. The segments are being erected utilizing span-by-span segmental construction methods which includes a 300ft launching gantry running through the city of Chicago! With over 700 segments complete, UCP began segment fabrication at our Morris, IL facility in June of 2020 and recently delivered the first complete span this month.

UCP also fabricated and delivered precast noise barrier panels for the RPB component of the project. These panels feature a unique wave pattern formliner which required a matchcast production process to ensure the pattern flowed correctly across the joints. The noise barrier panels were one of the final touches to the RPB which recently opened to train traffic this fall.

Congratulations to the UCP RPM operations team for surpassing all expectations for quality, efficiency, and safety!

In 2021, UCP’s operations team fabricated over 700,000 square feet of MSE (Mechanically Stabilized Earth) Retaining Wall across multiple IDOT & Illinois Tollway projects. Throughout the peak of the construction season, 50-60 panels were being produced on average each day. The walls this year were prominently featured along the ISTHA I-294 corridor from North of 95th St. to O’Hare Airport. In addition to the standard rectangular MSE panels, these walls showcase UCP’s ability to produce a wide range of configurations from aesthetic pieces, large architectural columns, and even crashworthy panels. We specialize in manufacturing a variety of aesthetic finishes including Random Cut Stone with a 2” relief, horizontal and vertical reveals, and custom municipal logos. These MSE walls are built to last, and with the help of our local contractors, they will revitalize Illinois' roads and bridges with beautiful concrete structures for many years to come.

Our innovative Elevate precast counterfort retaining wall system is being utilized on several jobsites across the Illinois Tollway’s Central Tri-State Project. The Elevate walls are designed to support the future embankment using existing onsite soil eliminating the need for select backfill material. The system includes a precast concrete base and a precast concrete face with integral counterforts. Low strength material is pumped under the base to ensure proper bearing on the foundation soils while high strength grout is utilized at the joints between the base and face. This grout mechanically fastens the sections together along with the use of cast-in bar anchors.

Precast counterfort walls are a great alternative to other retaining wall designs, eliminating the need to drive piles, pour concrete in the field, or employ other construction methods with long lead times and higher installation costs. The overall ease of installation and an accelerated construction schedule exceeds the expectations of both the installing contractor and owner.

UCP’s precast counterfort retaining wall is an approved proprietary retaining wall system under IDOT & ISTHA. Call us to see how we can help lower your installed retaining wall costs!

Utility Concrete Products was recently chosen to design, fabricate and deliver a precast concrete Lift Station to Chicago, Illinois as part of the BNSF Railway Service Track Expansions.

This massive structure was 14’-6” long x 12’-0” wide and over 22’ tall, weighing just under 215,000 pounds when fully assembled. In order to deliver and install a structure of this size with tight jobsite conditions, it was designed in multiple segments including a base/wall section, two 8’ tall barrels and separate roof slab. Each section was match cast with a shiplap joint between them to ensure a snug, interlocking fit when installed in its final location. Due to the proximity to the tracks, permanent steel sheet pile shoring was constructed around the lift station to handle some of the lateral loads that would otherwise be applied directly to the structure.

Although originally detailed as cast in place the contractor elected to utilize a precast alternate design which reduced the overall footprint and allowed them to install the entire structure in just a few hours. This Lift Station is another great example of how UCP continues to be the leading precast concrete producer in the Midwest, providing both innovative and cost-effective solutions for our customers.