Chicago Harbor Lock North Pier Stabilization

The Work

The original North Pier sheet pile wall on the river side was supported by tie rods that were corroding and tied to a failing tunnel structure. Superior Construction was hired by Integrated Environmental Services to complete the project. In the first phase, we stabilized the crib structure. The team used a specialized excavator equipped with a modified dipper arm on a sectional barge to clear the drive line in front of the existing sheet pile wall and make way for the new sheet pile wall. Crews drove 600 SF of new sheet pile, 50-ft deep into Lake Michigan. We then connected a whaler from the top of the new sheets to the existing riverside sheet pile and anchored it with new 70 ft long tie rods.

For phase two, Superior is demolishing the existing utility tunnel — originally built in 1938 and with limited load capacity — in order to pour a new promenade concrete slab on top. We will also widen the pier from 35 to 70 ft.