Houbolt Bridge Construction Highlight Reel

An infrastructural and engineering marvel, the Houbolt Bridge Extension project created a faster and more efficient route between Interstate 80 and CenterPoint Intermodal Center. United Bridge Partners, CenterPoint Properties led the charge on bringing this multi-year project to life. Named for the highly-respected John C. Houbolt, the goal of the bridge extension was to expand and enhance transportation connectivity in a high-traffic, densely populated area. Economic growth to the area and enhanced accessibility for education and healthcare services were also large factors contributing to the significance of the project.
The location of this project, spanning the Des Plaines River, brought Ozinga into the project in a unique way. Ozinga’s Rock Creek terminal and material location is located directly at the base of the Des Plaines river, alongside the project location where the bridge now stands. Further, Ozinga’s concrete plant in Joliet was just a little over four miles away from the project site, allowing for large volumes of concrete to be delivered in a timely manner. These prominent locations allowed Ozinga to be an integral part of the project from a material supply and service perspective.
With material being needed on both sides of the river, and limited access on one side, the best option was to barge full ready mix concrete trucks across the river to pour the footings and caissons for the bridge. This took strategic dispatching, truck spacing, and efficient timing involving different operational teams. Concrete being a perishable load, there was a strict schedule for getting the trucks onto the barge, across the river, and to the other side of the river.
With Ozinga’s close proximity to the project, the ability to get aggregates to the job was quick, efficient and readily available. One specific material needed on the job was shot rock, also known as quarry rock, a material made from fragmented pieces of rock extracted from quarries during controlled blasting. Shot rock varies in size, ranging from small gravel-like particles to larger pieces resembling boulders. A wide range of size makes shot rock suitable for a wide range of applications. The production of this material being done right by the jobsite was a helpful solution for schedule, timing, and efficiency.
A project of this size involves many partners, years of planning, and dependable suppliers along the way. CenterPoint Properties, United Bridge Partners, the city of Joliet, Illinois DOT, Will County, Kraemer North America, Granite Construction, and Stalworth partnered together to bring increased mobility and relieved congestion to the Joliet and surrounding areas. This 1.5 mile bridge and roadway couldn’t have been erected without the hard work and strategic planning of all involved parties. Ozinga was proud to be an involved supplier and partner for this unique solution that will have a positive impact on our communities for generations.
Together, there's nothing we can't handle.