The 7.8‑mile Chicago Skyway is a defining South Side landmark, connecting I‑94 to I‑90 at the Indiana border and serving thousands of daily motorists. To modernize and improve a key section of this elevated toll corridor, the Chicago Department of Transportation advanced a major rehabilitation and widening project. STV delivered design services for 3,700 feet of the Skyway between 75th and 79th Streets, upgrading an aging system of steel structures while enhancing roadway capacity and improving the travel experience for drivers passing above residential neighborhoods.
What challenges did STV address?
The original Skyway segment consisted of multiple two‑, three‑ and four‑span continuous plate girder and rolled‑beam structures constructed in the mid‑1950s. Decades of heavy use and harsh winters required structural upgrades that could be built with minimal disruption to traffic. The design also needed to address community concerns about aesthetics and lighting beneath the elevated roadway.
What solutions did STV deliver?
STV widened the roadway cross-section to three lanes in each direction, adding a median divider and safety shoulders. Three rolled‑beam structures were removed and replaced with a 1,700‑foot mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) structure. To enhance visual quality for nearby neighborhoods, STV introduced streetscape improvements including brick paving, decorative lighting and dense plantings beneath the structure. Decorative lighting and planters were also incorporated along the bridge to improve the user experience.
How does this project benefit the community?
The widened Skyway improves safety, increases capacity and reduces congestion for both local and regional motorists. Streetscape enhancements help soften the roadway’s presence in the surrounding neighborhoods, creating a more welcoming environment and supporting long‑term community character.
Key stats and accolades
- 3,700 feet of Skyway widened
- Three rolled‑beam structures replaced with 1,700‑foot MSE structure
- Decorative streetscape and lighting enhancements
