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A Motion to Concur with the Plan Commission’s Recommendation for Selecting Bridge Design Concept C for the Proposed Home Avenue Bridge Replacement
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Introduction
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This is a motion for the selection of a preferred design concept for the future Home Avenue Bridge. The Village has been working with Stantec Consulting on the design of the Home Avenue Bridge over I-290. Stantec developed three design concepts that went through public engagement and were presented to the Plan Commission (PC) on July 9th. The PC recommended selecting design concept C for the future Home Avenue Bridge. Staff and the consultant group of Stantec and Rosales+ will present the three bridge concepts, along with their maintenance and estimated construction costs for the Board to select the preferred design concept.
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Recommended Action
Adopt the Motion.
Prior Board Action
The Board has taken the following prior actions:
• At the Village Board meeting on June 30, 2024, the Village Board approved a Joint Funding Agreement for Federally Funded Preliminary Engineering with the State of Illinois for the Preliminary Engineering Design of the Home Avenue Bridge Replacement Project (RES 24-184).
• At the Village Board meeting on June 30, 2024, the Village Board approved a Resolution Authorizing Local Funding for the Federally Funded Phase I Preliminary Engineering Design of the Home Avenue Bridge Replacement Project, Section Number 24-00269-00-BR (RES 24-215).
• At the Village Board meeting on May 7, 2024, the Village Board approved a Local Public Agency Engineering Services Agreement with Stantec Consulting Services, Inc., for the Phase I Preliminary Engineering Design of the Home Avenue Bridge, in an amount not to exceed $1,812,191 (RES 24-183).
• At the Village Board meeting on July 1, 2016, the Village Board approved a Letter of Intent with the Illinois Department of Transportation for the Eisenhower Expressway (I-290) Reconstruction Project (RES 16-285).
Background
The Village approved a contract with Stantec Consulting Services in May 2024 to design the Home Avenue Bridge. The Village received IDOT approval to start work in August of 2025. Stantec has been working on the preliminary designs for the proposed bridge, which included developing 5 alternate designs that were reduced to 3 alternates following internal review of the initial 5 designs. The three bridge design concepts (A, B, and C) generally represent a medium cost range for a new ped/bike bridge. All three bridge concepts share similar characteristics, including a 14’ wide clear deck, compliance with ADA requirements, and a clear span of roughly 312 feet over the I-290 corridor without any piers/supports except at the ends. This will make constructability easier and reduce long-term maintenance issues. All three concepts also meet minimum vertical clearances over the roadway, CTA tracks, and CSX Railroad, which will streamline the design approval and railroad permitting process. All three bridge designs also feature a different alignment than the current bridge, with the northern end of the bridge moving further east towards Clinton, which allows for ADA-compliant entryways and pedestrian crossings at an intersection.
Bridge concept A is a tied arch design with two 45-foot-tall arches that are connected at the top of the bridge, and the deck hangs from these arches, which creates an efficient and elegant design. Bridge concept B is an arch truss design with two 30-foot-tall curved arches with triangular trusses, which gives a more industrial appearance. Bridge concept C is a monotube arch design which features one circular steel tube 84-feet tall arch along the centerline of the bridge with hangers extending outward from the central steel tube arch to carry the bridge deck. This design creates a modern design aesthetic with the most open experience for the users of the three concepts. The design of Concept C also creates a gateway effect due to its visibility and height.
The Village solicited public feedback using the Engage Oak Park website <https://engageoakpark.com/homeavebridge> and at a public open house, which was held on July 8th at the Oak Park Conservatory. Approximately 75 people showed up, and the Village received about 98 comments during the comment period. Comments were generally positive, with a slight preference for concept C during this process. A summary of public meeting 1 and input is attached for reference. The project and design concepts were then presented to the Plan Commission for their recommendation at their July 9th meeting. A summary of the meeting is attached for reference. At the July 9th meeting, the Plan Commission unanimously approved a motion recommending design concept C for the future Home Avenue Bridge.
Staff supports the Plan Commission’s recommendation for concept C since it creates the most significant gateway effect, which can contribute to the character of Oak Park and draw users to the bridge and area due to its iconic design. The iconic design of concept C may also make this design option more attractive for potential grant opportunities. Beyond these considerations, staff does not have strong preferences between the alternatives from a practical standpoint since constructability, operation and maintenance, and functionality are consistent for the three bridge concepts.
The estimated construction costs (in 2026 dollars) for the bridge itself are $9.9M for concept A, $10.3M for concept B, and $12.5M for concept C. In addition to the cost of the bridge, there is an additional cost of approximately $2.7M for the bridge approaches/entryways, which is similar for all three bridge concepts. The total estimated construction cost for the bridge and entryways is $12.6M for Concept A, $13.0M for Concept B, and $15.2M for Concept C.
There is no predefined timeline for construction of the Home Avenue Bridge. Staff anticipates pursuing State and Federal grants and negotiating with the State to help fund construction of the future Home Avenue Bridge. Per the Letter of Intent (LOI) with IDOT for the future I-290 reconstruction project, IDOT has committed to replacing the Home Avenue Bridge as part of their I-290 reconstruction effort. Since IDOT has committed to replacing this bridge as part of their project, IDOT would typically contribute what they would have to spend for a replacement bridge to the Village’s bridge replacement project. The estimated costs for the standard IDOT bridge at Home Avenue are between $8.3M and $10.8M. Assuming the Village can negotiate a State contribution of $8M for the Home Avenue replacement bridge, the potential Village cost for a new bridge ranges from $4.6M for concept A to $7.2M for concept C, even without considering any possible grant funds. Construction of the bridge could not happen any sooner than 2029, even if grant funds become available, considering typical timelines for designs and IDOT approvals.
When grant funds are considered, which typically cover 80% of the costs, the Village share of the bridge could range from as low as $920k for concept A to $1.5M for concept C. Since there are no predefined timelines for construction of the replacement bridge, staff would advance the design through the phase 2 design process so that it can be “shovel ready,” which makes it eligible for more grant opportunities and generally scores better on grant applications. Pending future Board concurrence, construction could occur when grant funds become available, or an opportunity presents itself for constructing the bridge at a lower cost due to adjacent work on I-290, such as work that requires the closure of the railroad tracks, which would simplify and lower costs for construction.
Following the Village Board selection of the preferred bridge design concept, staff will continue to advance the Phase I preliminary design of the project with Stantec. This includes developing preliminary designs for the entryways, adjacent intersections, conceptual lighting, amenities, and the structural design of the bridge and associated retaining walls. This preliminary design will continue through the public engagement process with an additional public meeting, stakeholder engagement, and input from various commissions such as Transportation, Disability Access, Aging in Community, Plan Commission, etc. Feedback received during this process will be incorporated into the final preliminary design, which will be submitted to IDOT for their review and approval. Should there be significant dissent or disagreement with the final preliminary design and comments received during this process, staff will present the recommended preliminary design to the Board for consideration and approval prior to submitting to IDOT.
Timing Considerations
Approval of the bridge design concept at this time will allow for the preliminary design of the Home Avenue Bridge to continue on its intended schedule.
Financial Impact
The proposed 2027 Budget will include funds for completing the Phase 1 preliminary design and for the Phase 2 design of the Home Avenue Bridge. The design is being funded using federal grants, which cover 80% of the costs.
There is currently no funding identified to cover the future construction costs for the bridge replacement project. The estimated construction costs (in 2026 dollars) for the project are $12.6M for Concept A, $13.0M for Concept B, and $15.2M for Concept C. Construction costs will be incorporated into future budgets, and staff will negotiate with the State for contributions to the project and pursue grant opportunities to help reduce the future costs.
Operations Impact
In general, all three options require similar long-term operational and maintenance needs. Per the LOI, the Village will own and maintain the future Home Avenue Bridge regardless of its design, so there will be Village maintenance responsibilities associated with any bridge here.
DEI Impact
There is no DEI impact associated with this item.
Community Input
The conceptual design of the Home Avenue Bridge has already gone through the public engagement process using the Engage Oak Park website, a public open house, and was presented at the Plan Commission at their July 9th meeting. At the July 9th Plan Commission meeting, the Plan Commission voted unanimously to recommend concept C for the bridge design.
The project will continue to seek public feedback during the remaining Phase I design with an additional public meeting, stakeholder engagement, and input from various commissions such as the Transportation, Disability Access, Aging in Community, Plan Commission, etc.
Staff Recommendation
Staff recommends concurring with the Plan Commission’s recommendation to select bridge design concept C for the Home Avenue Bridge.
Advantages:
• Selecting concept C will be in alignment with public feedback and the recommendation from the Plan Commission.
• Concept C will create the most significant gateway effect, which can contribute to the Village in a variety of ways.
• Concept C is potentially the most attractive concept for pursuing grant funds due to its iconic design.
Disadvantages:
• Concept C is the most expensive of the three design concepts, although cost differences between the three bridge options could potentially be as low as $600,000 depending on future grants and IDOT negotiations.
Alternatives
Alternative 1:
The Board can delay action to gain additional information.
Advantages:
• Board Members would be presented with the additional information they requested.
Disadvantages:
• The timing of the eventual Board action could impact the desired implementation schedule
Alternative 2:
The Board can select concepts A or B.
Advantages:
• This action can result in potential cost savings
Disadvantages:
• Misalignment with the recommendation from the Plan Commission.
Anticipated Future Actions
A future Phase II Engineering Design Agreement with Stantec will be presented to the Village Board for approval following completion of the Phase I Preliminary Design work.
Prepared By: Bill McKenna, Village Engineer/Assistant Public Works Director
Reviewed By: Rob Sproule, Public Works Director
Approved By: Kevin J. Jackson, Village Manager
Attachment(s):
1. Presentation Home Ave Bridge
2. Plan Commission Meeting Summary
3. Public Meeting Summary
4. Home Ave Bridge Recommendation Memo
5. Home Ave Video Simulations