(Above) East of Wells Street, workers install 75-foot steel piles to support Phase 3 of the Chicago Riverwalk. The green mechanism at upper left vibrates to push the pile into the riverbed. The aerial lift is used to inspect the piles as they are lowered. The machine is stopped periodically so that workers can make sure the pile is still perfectly vertical. (Click on images to view larger versions.)
Riverwalk continues journey west
Phase 3 starts with concrete demolition, now driving piles
August 24, 2015 – Once again, steel is being deposited into the bank of the Chicago River to support more Riverwalk.
Phase 3 of Riverwalk construction has been underway since June 29, when the area closed to the public west of LaSalle Street and workers started demolishing concrete between LaSalle and Franklin Streets. They are now installing foundation H piles, 75-foot-long steel beams that will anchor the Riverwalk, and sheet pile that forms a river wall.
While H piles are installed between LaSalle and Wells Streets, sheet piles are going in between Wells and Franklin Streets.
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According to Chicago Department of Transportation, this work will continue “for the next several weeks.”
During this time, the westbound lanes of Upper and Lower Wacker Drive – that are closest to the Riverwalk – will be closed during the day from State Street west to LaSalle Street. Upper Wacker will be closed from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Lower Wacker will be closed from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Above) Closer view of mechanism. (Left) Installation of sheet piles east of LaSalle Street. The worker at lower left is welding a pile before it is lowered into the riverbed. |
(Above) East of Wells Street, two construction workers connect a steel beam that is being used as a platform during installation of steel piles on Tuesday. The 75-foot-long vertical piles will anchor the Chicago Riverwalk to the planet. In the middle, a pile that is being installed.
